There's a particularity to our Bag of Goodies mixes this year. The selection is only made up of records and music either sent to us by labels and artists, or which we actually bought in record stores in the recent weeks. It'll be hard for us to be more supportive and current than that. We usually gather for a listening session with a few of our favorite new tracks in the bag, and try to hit the decks instantly in order for the mix to be spontaneous. This past month was full of great new music and reissues - as always - and we can't thank enough labels such as BBE Music, Kat Records,...

Various - When Shapes Mix Together - Compiled and mixed by Rob Luis
(Mixed CD/Digital) Tru Thoughts Recordings TRUCD244, 2011-11-21

Produced as a giveaway mix for the huge Tru Thoughts night at Koko in London, this mix was so good they had to offer it for general sale. This mix shows the future direction of the label, with new signings alongside the long-standing Tru Thoughts family. It opens with a hip hop influence: Hint goes space-age hip hop with rapper T Fly; Quantic's Cumbia project covers Missy Elliot; and London legend Rodney P drops a track with a positive message (which we released after the UK riots in 2011) featuring Mighty Moe and other big hitters in the scene. Anchorsong takes us into slow disco/boogie territory before Beta Hector roughs it up with his psychedelic bass basher (helped by an Alice Russell classic scream) followed by Nirobi dropping the Bollywood beats. Sleepin' Giantz is a heavyweight project from Zed Bias, Rodney P and Fallacy, and the track you hear in this DJ mix has been a huge anthem in club sets for the DJs who have managed to get hold of an advance copy. The album it is taken from is one of the best hip hop albums you will hear! Zed Bias is then joined by Mark Pritchard (Warp / Harmonic 313 / Global Communications) for a bass anthem before we move into Debruit taking the Brazilian groove of Saravah Soul down a heavy club route. Hint shows his versatile production styles with his remix of Lanu before we hit drum & bass territory with A Sides' remix of Mark de Clive-Lowe. The set finishes off with the more mellow side of Tru Thoughts. Ambassadeurs take Nostalgia 77 through some synths and basslines; Kinny shows her powerful voice to full effect, and then Belleruche unveil their new style. I just had to include a snippet of the title track off the Quantic & Alice Russell album (you need to check the full version to appreciate those strings) and we finish off with a classic from Maddslinky's influential first LP. Please make sure you check out the other releases by any artists whose tracks you are particularly into on this DJ mix, as there is plenty more good music to be heard from them all." (Rob Luis)

Mark de Clive-Lowe - Renegades
(CD/Digital) Tru Thoughts TRUCD240, 2011-11-21

Currently based in LA after a decade entrenched in London, Mark de Clive-Lowe's new album, Renegades, has guest appearances from Sheila E (Prince), Omar, Tawiah, Pino Palladino (D'Angelo/The Who), and Nia Andrews. The new LP features club classics flavored from soul and funk, to tech-Afrobeat and Latin twists, all orchestrated by MdCL: a revolutionary Quincy Jones for a new generation, armed with the ability to meld the science of beat-making with composed music.

Nostalgia 77 - Sleepwalker
(Digital Single) Tru Thoughts TRUDD035, 2011-11-21

The bluesy, catchy and downright addictive Sleepwalker, out digitally on 21st November, is the third single to be taken from Nostalgia 77’s highly acclaimed fourth solo album The Sleepwalking Society, which came out in March on Tru Thoughts. The lead track on this digital package is joined by a diverse selection of hot new remixes from label-mates Mark de Clive-Lowe and Lanu, and AmbassadeursJalapeño Records). The ramshackle, bluesy Tom Waits-esque rhythm section stomp on Sleepwalker is paired with horn textures reminiscent of Duke Ellington and the incredible vocals of the album’s secret weapon, German chanteuse Josa Peit. On this song, a co-write with Nostalgia 77 main man Ben Lamdin, Peit’s rich, soulfelt timbre rings out as clear as a bell, imparting some simple truths with a wryly playful overtone. At once catchy and with a lasting, solid appeal, this track has become one of the most popular on the LP.

Omar - It's So...
(Digital Single) Tru Thoughts Recordings TRUDD037, 2011-11-14

It's So... is the second single from Omar's Sing If You Want It album, which was re-issued to much fanfare on Tru Thoughts in July. The single is released on 14th November, the same day as Omar embarks on a major UK tour with Beverley Knight, taking in venues including the Royal Albert Hall - guaranteed to be a real treat for fans of real soul. In addition to the lead track, this single package brings new music in the form of It's So... (Scratch Professer Retwist) and Your Mess (Mark de Clive-Lowe Remix) as well as the Zed Bias rework of the lead track, which has been going down a storm in clubs and on the radio.

Mark de Clive-Lowe - The Why feat. Nia Andrews
(Digital Single) Tru Thoughts TRUDD031, 2011-10-03

"Mark de Clive-Lowe has always ranked among the most prolific and soulful broken beat producers in my mind. He'll be releasing an eclectic (9th!) album on Tru Thoughts Recordings mid-november, called Renegades, and judging on this epic taster, it might be a wonder to behold... The Why is indeed an uptempo majestic soul number with stunning string arrangements by Miguel Atwood-Ferguson, and Nia Andrews vocal part is beautiful, something between Janelle Monae and Erykah Badu. Some deep and clubby remixes are available along with the a capella, but then it's the instrumental version that really brings the killer soundtrack vibe in there!!" - Djouls / Paris DJs

Various - Label Love Vol.3
(Free Digital Compilation) Label Love, 2011-08-01

Label Love is an eclectic yet unified bundle of unique sounds compiled simply for the love of sharing them with the universe - each track plucked and presented by label heads from Decon Records, Fat Beats, One-Handed Music, Stones Throw, Tru Thoughts, Wah Wah 45s, and Wax Poetics. Each label evokes its own signature giving this collection a diversified and interesting flow of genres. Label Love consists of nostalgic classics, unreleased gems, and exclusive selections with the goal of expanding minds to new musical styles. Feel free to blog, play, tweet, blast, post, etc. Please share the love!

Go download on labelloveworldwide.bandcamp.com

PS Aja West & Cheeba from The Mackrosoft remixing Chico Mann from Antibalas…