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Reggae Golden Jubilee: Origins of Jamaican Music – 50th Anniversary Various Artists 1x2d58
A connoisseur-satisfying collection, yet completely accessible for novices.
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They’ve become an appealing metaphor for their home city’s hope and vitality.
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A compilation for completists only.
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Thankful N’ Thoughtful Betty LaVette 2526u
Possibly the best set of songs she’s ever recorded.
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Heart of the Congos The Congos 3z6v45
The best roots reggae album ever recorded.
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Reggae Music Again Busy Signal 2x4b38
An important evolution of dancehall, reconnecting it with Jamaican music history.
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A collection strong enough to stand apart from its parent documentary.
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The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill Lauryn Hill 1y3960
Hill’s multi-award-winning debut became part of the mainstream on its own .
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Tuskegee Lionel Richie 3a3w5v
The tempos, sentiments and story-telling centres of these songs are perfectly country.
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My Life II … The Journey Continues (Act I) Mary J. Blige 4ic1e
Blige’s most enjoyable, exciting and consistent album in years.
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This Time Lack of Afro 3mn2
Great party tunes which, weirdly, can’t quite relax.
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Biasonic Hot Sauce – Birth of the Nanocloud Zed Bias 5o93l
A mesmerising album exploring the possibilities of British urban music.
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The Story of Trojan Records Various Artists 72e5a
An incredibly diverse five-CD set celebrating the legendary British label.
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Sing (If You Want It) Omar 656g4q
Could push Omar into the sophisticated pop territory he briefly visited 20 years ago.
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Songs in A Minor: Collector’s Edition Alicia Keys 5d1z3s
Expanded 10th anniversary edition of a modern soul classic.
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100% Publishing Wiley t702j
He’s kept grime moving forwards with some truly audacious sounds.
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The Road From Memphis Booker T. Jones 4g594
It might lack surprises, but this is solid, high-quality Booker T fare.
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The Ultimate Collection Sade 33b7
The uniquely British band is rightly celebrated on this fine collection.
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Stone Rollin’ Raphael Saadiq 1f2t1n
Vintage touches and modern twists combine on an irrepressible soul record.
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Rolling Papers Wiz Khalifa 4s631q
Thoughtful rap that deserves mainstream attention.
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g Off UB40 6e4f4g
30th anniversary edition of the group’s great debut album.
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A masterclass in how to respectfully update and enhance classic music.
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Truly modern jazz with fresh layers of innovation.
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Deleted Scenes From the Cutting Room Floor Caro Emerald 53243r
It’s not rocket science – good songs sung well makes a great album.
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Be Altitude: Respect Yourself The Staple Singers 5b1u54
One of the Stax label’s greatest triumphs.
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Echoes (Of Lonely Eden) Randolph 4h3z5z
The Detroit native’s classy soul record packaged with fine remixes.
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D.O.B. Busy Signal 3a527
A masterclass in fearless, innovative production with international appeal.
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Back to the Sagas Klashnekoff 1p1e5
Hackney rapper’s third album stumbles short of its great potential.
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Jahmanji Jammer 5j5h4p
Vividly illustrates the intelligent evolution of domestic leftfield sounds.
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Will have appeal far beyond the churches and their congregations.
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The Outsiders Are Back Kings Go Forth 176q1m
Its ion is matched by the skill and subtlety of the arrangements.
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Best Of Max Romeo 5q4f5e
A fascinating album which revisits Romeo classics and presents them in new ways.
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Pink Elephant N’Dambi 61x49
A soul album that sounds modern yet fulfils all traditional expectations.
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4 The Bamboos 5y68n
Always powerful of groove, this is an album of infectious fun.
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Quadron Quadron 1y1q4q
Danish duo delivers very modern and very moving soul music.
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Songs From the Heart: Ramsey Plays Ramsey Ramsey Lewis 2z3939
A credible jazz album for those who never knew they liked the genre.
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Genuine Negro Jig Carolina Chocolate Drops 5v443c
An extraordinary and stylish history lesson of an album.
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Hot Stone Dr. Rubberfunk 72703q
The good doctor presents some amazingly elastic grooves.
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New Morning: Deluxe Edition Sabrina Malheiros 4z3ri
Jazz/funk with a Latin flavour – like the best from Al Di Meola and Johnny Hammond.
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Time Flies When You’re Having Fun Smokey Robinson y5o4p
Smokey delivers exactly what you expect, but can still surprise.
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I Look To You Whitney Houston 4x2vo
It’s good to have her back in the spotlight for the right reasons.
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Viva Bananarama Bananarama 5859u
They still bristle with a pop energy born out of total conviction.
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Pama Outernational Pama International 466s
Comes over like a house party DJ with a very adventurous selection policy.
