THE HELIOCENTRICS Vinyl & CDs

Review: It's been nearly ten years since the first release of Orlando Julius and The Heliocentrics' first ever collaborative album, Jaiyede Afro, which did thorough justice to the creative possibilities of Nigerian Afrobeat that arguably haven't been represented so well since Fela Kuti's last releases. Deft rhythms, and loosely-laid-down layers of guitar and horn, ride over each other like harmonious, health-giving backings for life across this short statement of nine tracks. Now reissued via Strut, we're reminded of its spiritual mood of tricky electronics and wahhing ambiences, as it slowly expands outwards into a holistic psychedelia, more than the some of its easily discernible parts.

Review: Psych voyagers par excellence The Heliocentrics are back, some three years after they dropped the incredible soundtrack to LSD documentary "The Sunshine Makers". "Infinity Of Now" drops on Madlib Invazion, which speaks to the fertile crossover zone The Helio's occupy where funk and hip hop collide with psych in scintillating fashion. The sound is fierce and heavy as the album opens up, with a dose of horror schlock poured into tracks like "Venom", calling to mind some of the German kosmische trippers like Brainticket. Raw, wild and oh-so live, this is up there amongst the best from a band with a glittering track record.