A connoisseur-satisfying collection, yet completely accessible for novices.
They’ve become an appealing metaphor for their home city’s hope and vitality.
A compilation for completists only.
Possibly the best set of songs she’s ever recorded.
The best roots reggae album ever recorded.
An important evolution of dancehall, reconnecting it with Jamaican music history.
A collection strong enough to stand apart from its parent documentary.
Hill’s multi-award-winning debut became part of the mainstream on its own terms.
The tempos, sentiments and story-telling centres of these songs are perfectly country.
Blige’s most enjoyable, exciting and consistent album in years.
Great party tunes which, weirdly, can’t quite relax.
A mesmerising album exploring the possibilities of British urban music.
An incredibly diverse five-CD set celebrating the legendary British label.
Could push Omar into the sophisticated pop territory he briefly visited 20 years ago.
Expanded 10th anniversary edition of a modern soul classic.
He’s kept grime moving forwards with some truly audacious sounds.
It might lack surprises, but this is solid, high-quality Booker T fare.
The uniquely British band is rightly celebrated on this fine collection.
Vintage touches and modern twists combine on an irrepressible soul record.
Thoughtful rap that deserves mainstream attention.
30th anniversary edition of the group’s great debut album.
A masterclass in how to respectfully update and enhance classic music.
Truly modern jazz with fresh layers of innovation.
It’s not rocket science – good songs sung well makes a great album.
One of the Stax label’s greatest triumphs.
The Detroit native’s classy soul record packaged with fine remixes.
A masterclass in fearless, innovative production with international appeal.
Hackney rapper’s third album stumbles short of its great potential.
Vividly illustrates the intelligent evolution of domestic leftfield sounds.
Will have appeal far beyond the churches and their congregations.
Its passion is matched by the skill and subtlety of the arrangements.
A fascinating album which revisits Romeo classics and presents them in new ways.
A soul album that sounds modern yet fulfils all traditional expectations.
Always powerful of groove, this is an album of infectious fun.
Danish duo delivers very modern and very moving soul music.
A credible jazz album for those who never knew they liked the genre.
An extraordinary and stylish history lesson of an album.
The good doctor presents some amazingly elastic grooves.
Jazz/funk with a Latin flavour – like the best from Al Di Meola and Johnny Hammond.
Smokey delivers exactly what you expect, but can still surprise.
It’s good to have her back in the spotlight for the right reasons.
They still bristle with a pop energy born out of total conviction.
Comes over like a house party DJ with a very adventurous selection policy.
