New Jersey house don Kerri Chandler is rightfully lauded as a hero of the scene. He continues to pour his heart and soul into every record and imbue his music with real-world emotions that elevate his tunes. He is of course a master of a deep but driving sound that borrows from soul, funk and jazz in ignitible ways. The third volume of his Lost & Found EP series on his own label Kaoz Theory is packed with more gold, from the slinky depths of 'Let It (Give Me Back My Love)' to the soul staring vocal work of 'Another Dawn' via more paired back sounds on 'The Bassline' (Kerri Dark mix) and the percussive energy of 'The Breeze.' Yet another essential Kerri 12" for your collection.

Swiss producer and DJ Lea Lisa gathers together some of her favorite tracks to play out with in a double pack compilation for Favorite Recordings. As you might be able to tell from some of the artists and tracks on here, Lea likes her house music deep, tracky, sometimes soulful and verging on proper techno. Featured here are key tracks like 'Ekeyz' from Pure Science, the club mix of 'Be There' by Kerri Chandler and 'Blax Thanxs' by Abacus. One very desirable addition is the early 90s gem 'Emotional' by Think. This very strong gathering of deep house tracks may be one of the best this year. Act quick and grab a copy.

Indonesian groove merchants Lair are back on Guruguru Brain with their second LP, which finds them digging even deeper into themes as well as the instrumental psych sound they established themselves on. The album reflects on the land in the region of their hometown Jatiwangi, on the northern shores of Java, and the tension between love for their home and the grim portent of industrialisation. Led by the strident, meandering guitar sound as it careers through all manner of moody landscapes, it's an engrossing trip-out and a sincere expression from a community which neatly proves the international power of psych rock as a vessel for a message.

Stop Hurting Me Baby by Purple Mundi, originally released in 1972, is a soulful gem from the 1970s soul group hailing from Miami, Florida. This sought-after record, reissued in 1978 with the B-side 'I Can't Understand,' shows the group's undeniable talent and soulful voice. With its smooth melodies and heartfelt lyrics, the song captivates listeners with its timeless appeal. The reissued version preserves the rare quality of the original pressing, making it a must-have for collectors and fans of vintage soul music. Purple Mundi's Stop Hurting Me Baby continues to shine as a standout rare track in the funk and soul genre, delivering soul-stirring vibes that is still being discovered today.

A fresh and exciting new concept record from ambient master Jan Jelinek; the new LP Social Engineering is made of nothing more than the text-to-speech renderings of the content of phishing emails received in the musician’s inbox over an undisclosed period. Over the course of thirteen tracks, Jelinek reworks, timestretches, juggles and expands these robotic narrations into speech-synthetic soundscapes, making for a weird and well-paced foray into a certain greyscale sonic unheimlich. Beginning with a Microsoft impersonator and ending on a ‘polite threat’, Jelinek’s latest record presents an ironic conundrum; indeed, Social Engineering presents the only kind of decision under pressure - whether or not to buy ingenious new experimental ambient music - that we can’t refuse.

On limited yellow vinyl comes the latest LP from the elusive ambient moniker known as Abul Mogard - impossibly distant, impossibly close - this time made in collaboration with equal and match, Rafael Anton Irisarri. Having made friends serendipitously at the sold-out opening of the SoundSet Series at Madrid's Condeduque cultural center in 2023, at which they performed together for the first time, the duo's encore that evening compelled them to get their heads down and commit to a collaborative studio session. What followed was an intense, modular-synthetic jam that, in its final studio-polished incarnation, unfurls and ripples like dark pond water. Both tracks, most notably 'Waking Up Dizzy on a Bastion', slow-burns into the heights of glory and tearful sentiment, as if capturing the feeling of time slowing down when confronted with death in the heat of fortressed battle.

Sunshine Sound's Birthday Medley, edited by Francois K, is a vibrant disco and nu-disco fusion that encapsulates the essence of celebratory energy. Side-1 kicks off with the exciting, 'Birthday Medley,' a dynamic blend of disco house and funk elements. Francois K's edit infuses the track with a pulsating rhythm and infectious groove, guaranteed to get listeners on their feet and moving to the beat. On Side-2, 'X Medley' continues the energetic vibe, with Francois K's studio know how adding depth and richness to the cosmic disco atmosphere. The track maintains a lively tempo throughout, accentuated by funky basslines, catchy melodies, and shimmering synths. Overall, Sunshine Sound's Birthday Medley is gem 12" for disco enthusiasts, offering a seamless mix of retro nostalgia and contemporary dancefloor vibes. Kevorkian is a legend of dance music for over 40 years now. If there is anyone's name you can trust, it's his.

Lee delivers two powerhouse performances from his album Sentimental Fool. 'Two Jobs' channels the conviction of James Brown with Bobby Bland's swing, showcasing Lee's command and swagger. The track's deep piano intro and frantic shuffle captivate listeners with a sound few can replicate. On 'Save Your Tears for Someone New,' Lee delivers a masterclass in rhythm and soul, his ferociously soulful voice shining in this dark r&b ballad. With each note, Lee proves why he's considered one of the best soul singers alive, leaving listeners wanting more.