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Review: It's five up for the Palmetto Street label and this one finds them turning to Ben Pirani & The Means Of Production who manage to again find new ground in this great EP. The lead single from the 7" is a soft and melancholic sad song with none other than Brian Jackson (who collaborated with Gil Scott Heron) playing the flute parts. He cuts through the smokey mood with daring harmonies while on the flip things get even more forceful with 'Something So Precious'. Pirani goes it alone on the vocals for this one while a strong quartert adds the sumptuous melodies.

Review: Bobby Harden & The Soulful Saints are back with a new 7" that arrives in conjunction with their new album Bridge of Love with arrives in May. These two tunes exemplify what to expect from the long player with sleek seventies pop sounds. 'One Night of the Week' is led by Harden's voice with the dexterous Soulful Saints adding the buttery support next to Latin percussion, horns and even a string quartet. On the flip is the exuberant 'Rase Your Mind'. This outfit has performed live and recorded together with acts such as Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings and The Wu-Tang Clan and it's easy to see why.

Review: We have long had a soft spot for the sounds that come out of DC label People's Potential Unlimited, which is affectionately known as PPU. It's always lo-fi but hi-class whether in original or reissue form. It's the latter here with leftfield Estonian artist Uku Kuut's 'Funky' 7" reappearing on wax. The opener is all singing synth lines and jumbled analogue drum funk with an oddball vocal and generally stuffy arrangement making it all the more lovable. On the flip is 'What's Happening Today', another unusual mix of sounds - synth, disco, funk and goofy vocals that will have the floor in a spin.

Review: The Sextones are a four-piece soul band from Reno, Nevada, who blend elements of rock, pop, and funk with a deep and mournful soul primacy. Fitting squarely into that oeuvre is their latest 'Beck & Call', which recalls their dearest inspirations - the likes of The Moments, Baby Huey and Curtis Mayfield - for two equally powerful falsetto'ing slow jams. The title track is the more emotive standout, channelling a hefty drum forward plod, lilting strings, soul-foundational bass, and lyrics dealing with letting go of a lost cause. 'Daydreaming', meanwhile, is more of a haze, and notably utilises electronic drums and a prominent sitar.