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