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.

While not one of Black Uhuru's most celebrated albums, Brutal is nonetheless a significant set - one that received a 'best reggae album' nomination following its release in 1986. In keeping with the period, it updated their soulful roots reggae sound for the 1980s by wider use of electronic instrumentation (synthesisers in particular), a high-profile collaboration with Arthur Baker (the grandiose, club-ready 'Great Train Robbery', which boasts many of Baker's production tricks of the period), a surprising amount of eyes-closed rock style guitar solos, and some proper bottom-end action courtesy of Sly & Robbie. Highlights include the reggae-boogie of 'City Vibes', the weighty and dubbed-out 'Dread In The Mountain', and the ear-catching closing cut.

First released in 2009, Let It Roll: Songs By George Harrison delivers a punchy career retrospective focuses not on his biggest hits (though naturally many are present), but rather what are considered his greatest songs. Naturally his three most celebrated Beatles-era songs are present - 'Something', 'While My Guitar Gently Weeps' and 'Here Comes The Sun' - albeit in the form of atmospheric live recording, but the bulk of the material comes from his prolific, post 1970 solo career. It is, then, a fine snapshot of a brilliant songwriter, with highlights including the sublime 'All Things Must Pass', the nostalgic 'All Those Years Ago', the string laden 'Isn't It a Pity', and the instrumental 'Marwa Blues'.

Laufey's GRAMMY-winning sophomore album, 2023's Bewitched, returns in freshly expanded form. Musically, the set is rooted in vintage jazz and classical music, though its perspective - not just lyrically, but in its approach to subtle musical fusion - is undeniably contemporary. It remains a brilliant set, with the Icelandic artist effortlessly flitting between 1930s style smoothness ('Dreamer'), string-laden acoustic jazz ('Second Best'), bossa-nova ('From The Start'), and tributes to the heartfelt works of Nina Simone ('Misty'). This edition also boasts a quartet of bonus cuts, including superb recent single 'Goddess'.

Alternative icons The Fall were of the most out-there acts of their generation, if not any generation. Now, all new on Bella Union is Stales Live on 10" and CD. Conceived by former Slates-era members of The Fall, it offers live versions of the 1981 mini-LP's six tracks that capture the raw essence of their legendary live shows plus plenty more. With input from band members throughout sourcing, mastering, and design, this release is a long-awaited treat for Fall enthusiasts. Stewart Lee, a dedicated Fall fan, contributes sleeve notes and each song is meticulously curated to showcase its evolution onstage, making Slates Live a must-have for fans yearning for an authentic Fall experience.

Jai Alai's latest release brings forth a collection of forgotten vinyl tracks that have been previously unreleased on 7" format or limited to CD-only albums. Donaldson Toussaint L'Ouverture Byrd II, to give him his full name, was a pivotal figure in jazz history and a prominent trumpeter and flugelhorn player after his stint with Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers in the mid-50s. Collaborating with jazz icons like John Coltrane, Thelonius Monk, and Sonny Rollins, Byrd's journey evolved into experimenting with jazz fusion, African rhythms, and r&b by the late 60s. His transformative fusion work, notably with the Blackbyrds, reshaped the jazz-funk landscape, paving the way for dance jazz on disco floors and becoming a wellspring for hip-hop samples. These are two of his many great moments of soul-drenched goodness.

Swedish label Cataleya Music returns with a second fine offering, this time from Zephan and featuring Cool Affair. First up is the excellent 'Let Me Show You' which brings plenty of live percussion and jumbled, loose drums to the fore. Shakers, hand camps and Barry White-style baritone vocal seduction adds further that to this more organic of late night sounds. On the flip is a remix from the one and only DJ Spinna whose Galactic Soul remix is more steamy and humid with warm chords and a more romantic vocal sound paired with gentle broken but still deep beats.