Rhythm Section International Vinyl & CDs

Review: Following a couple of low-key EPs and mini-albums on tiny independent labels, Cousin Kula's debut full-length has been snapped up by Rhythm Section International. It was a shrewd move by boss man Bradley Zero, because Double Dinners is undeniably lovely. Lusciously executed and pleasingly laidback, it sees the Bristol band effortlessly join the dots between horizontal, soft-focus jazz-rock, shuffling downtempo grooves and dewy-eyed soul. It's a far more warming, comforting and meditative affair that some of their more raucous and upbeat output, something that band puts down to composing it during lockdown, when meditative music was a necessity. Even as society begins to open up, it still feels essential - a sign of the album's timeless class.

Review: He may not have achieved the same acclaim and status as his fellow West Coast native Thundercat, but Mychaal Fisher AKA MMYYKK looks set to follow in his footsteps. His genre-bending music, as showcased on this brilliant Rhythm Section International debut, draws on a similar pool of influences - think Prince style purple funk, jazz, hip-hop, R&B and classic electrofunk - while also upping the soul factor to dizzyingly high levels. The results speak for themselves, with Fisher - in cahoots with a wealth of collaborators from around the world - remaining front and centre throughput thanks to his own emotive lyrics and smooth-as-butter lead vocals. In other words, it's an EP you need in your life right now.

Review: While this appearance from Session Victim on Rhythm Section International is unexpected, to say the least, it does make some sense - after all, their warming, musically expansive deep house sound frequently offers nods to jazz, soul and disco as well as Balearic beats. All of those influences and inspirations are evident across the five tracks that make up Basic Instinct, with the German pair bouncing between subtly funk-flecked, piano-rich loveliness (the bluesy and atmospheric 'Trying to Make it Home', locked-in loop-house haziness (the sampled South Asian percussion and warming riffs of 'In & Out', ultra-deep dancefloor melancholia ('Orbits of Dust'), loose-limbed deep jazz breaks (EP highlight '5AM Continental') and sunrise-ready breakbeat lusciousness ('SFC (Hommage Mix)').

Review: Melbourne based Poli-Pearl and Naomi Robison share an apocalyptic vision of jazz and it is that which brings them together as Special Feelings with select other musicians. This self titled album on Rhythm Section International is their first full length and one that combines their live improv skills with broken beats to arresting affect. It pays respect to the roots of jazz and world music while adding plenty of freshness and ranges from freewheeling and spiritual pieces like the opener to the blissed out and sun kissed soul-jazz of 'On Heat' via many other intruguing in between styles.