CHARM Vinyl & CDs

Review: Charm cooks up some seriously deep and richly harmonic new grooves here for the Flaneurecordings label. Opener 'Love Is Music' is a spine-tingling affair with soft, cuddly drums way down low and a buttery smooth baritone voice akin to Barry White muttering up top next to steamy female coos. It's pure vibes. 'Floating Sentiently' is another cocooning deep house groove with diffuse pads and gentle drum rotations then 'Music Means Life' is a downbeat love affair with lush chords and cosmic twinkles that's as much the soundtrack to a sunny afternoon as it is a late night romance.

Review: Federal and Dubstore Japan reissue highly sought after gem, Willie Lindo's cover of Love Unlimited Orchestra's 'Midnight And You'. 'Midnight' is a louche, smooth-as-sin nocturne punctuated by hammond wobbles, whispered nothings and surely one of the most in-the-pocket basslines in reggae history and the legendary Lloyd Charmers gives it a sparse, small hours dubbing on the B-side, removing all fat and showcasing the unparalleled rhythm section. Absolutely essential stuff.