VA - Tru Thoughts 2023

'Tru Thoughts 2023', the latest addition to our annual compilation series, comprising 24 tracks from this year, is curated by label head Robert Luis. 'Tru Thoughts 2023' showcases our eclectic and international roster, with selections spanning from Neo Soul, Alternative Pop, Jazz, and Contemporary Classical to Grime, Broken Beat, DnB, and Electronica.

"Doing these compilations means I stop planning future releases on Tru Thoughts for a moment and reflect on our most recent releases. I love that we continue to release debut albums from new artists, who are starting their journey and getting great support, such as MELONYX, Steven Bamidele, and Slowe. We are also working with artists who have released music elsewhere and helping them continue their journey, such as Sandunes, Palm Skin Productions, and The Sindecut & Ijeoma, plus artists we have worked with for a while, like Moonchild and Hot 8 Brass Band. We continue to release a wide variety of genres, but I feel all the music connects one way or another. In an age where we are bombarded with music, this compilation is here to remind people to take the time to check out the creative artists we work with, as I’m sure you will discover something you are into, or re-listen to an artist or song you’re already a fan of." Robert Luis

Our 2023 anthology includes refreshed versions of classic releases, with archival revisits of Grammy-nominated Moonchild and Grammy-winning Hot 8 Brass Band. On “Cure (Acoustic)”, LA-trio Moonchild deconstruct the highly acclaimed original to hypnotise with a piano rendition, inspired by their infamous Tiny Desk Performance. Meanwhile, Hot 8 Brass Band’s legendary cover of Marvin Gaye’s “Sexual Healing” received a revamp in line with The Bossman Tour, honouring the late Bennie Pete, beloved co-founder and sousaphone player. Alongside these re-works stand Hint’s “At The Dance (VIP Instrumental)”, a vocal-free version of one of his biggest dancefloor tracks, and Lightning Head’s 2023 remaster of the funky dancehall “Me & Me Princess”.

The compilation opens with two soulful selections from the debut albums of MELONYX, with sun-worshipping title track “Solar Power”, and Steven Bamidele, sharing the deeply personal “No One Said” from ‘Summing Up’. Moving seamlessly between genres, the soundscape shifts from these soul moments, with Slowe’s jazzy, psychedelia-tinged “Calibrate” to the funky groove of Aurora Dee Raynes' “Something Sensible”. Bruk Rogers transport listeners to the dancefloor with his bleepy shuffler “Style” before listeners are taken to a downtempo, trip-hop commentary on division from Palm Skin Productions.

‘Tru Thoughts 2023’ brims with burgeoning talent releasing with Tru Thoughts for the first time this year. Sandunes, a composer, producer, and pianist from Mumbai, India, announced joining the label with her boundary-pushing electronica single “The Surge feat. Ramya Pothuri”. Amongst the roster's newcomers are the pioneering British Hip-Hop crew The Sindecut (featuring founding member DJ Fingers) and New York-based Geordie, singer-songwriter Ijeoma, soundtracking the swagger of New York with the jazz-inspired “Lucky”. In celebration of these new signings, Robert Luis includes fan favourites from the latest Born74 & Onj, Nenor & Eyal Rob, Call Sender, and Running Loving Something releases.

As ever, this year has seen artists join forces with pioneering peers and fellow vanguards. WheelUP and Abacus, aka Harry Bryson from drum & bass duo Pola & Bryson, embarked on an electronic-orchestral odyssey with “Infinity”, Kuna Maze meshed broken beat and jazz with a feature from Midva, and Fybe:One and Liam Bailey soundtracked the blissful feeling of being young. Origin One’s “Dance Again feat. Charlie P” saw the renowned Essex-born reggae vocalist celebrating covid restrictions being lifted, against a backdrop of a 1980s dancehall riddim.

In the spirit of collaboration, ‘Tru Thoughts 2023’ boasts an assortment of remixes, exemplified by the supreme gospel-house remix of Luman Child’s “Grateful” from the legendary Ashley Beedle, under his North Street West alias. Following suit are the reworks of Anchorsong’s “Windmills” by leftfield ambient duo Salamanda, Sharky’s “Shark” with its dark club stamp from Donsurf, and the bass-frenzy flip of Ebi Soda’s “Soft Peng” by JD. REID. 

Tracklist:
1. MELONYX – Solar Power
2. Steven Bamidele – No One Said
3. Moonchild – Cure (Acoustic)
4. Slowe – Calibrate
5. The Sindecut – Lucky (Edit)
6. Nenor – What Are You Waiting For?
7. WheelUP – Infinity
8. Luman Child – Grateful (North Street West Vocal Remix)
9. Kuna Maze – Don't Drop Dead
10. Fybe:One – Bliss
11. Sharky – Shark (Donsurf Remix)
12. Hint – At the Dance (VIP Instrumental)
13. Bruk Rogers – Style (Edit)
14. Ebi Soda – Soft Peng (JD. Reid Remix)
15. Born74 – Freedom To Choose
16. Aurora Dee Raynes – Something Sensible
17. Sandunes – The Surge (Edit)
18. Anchorsong – Windmills (Salamanda Remix)
19. Palm Skin Productions – We Stand, Divided
20. Call Sender – Nova
21. The Hot 8 Brass Band – Sexual Healing (Bossman Edit)
22. Running Loving Something – I Love The Feeling
23. Lightning Head – Me & Me Princess (2023 Remaster)
24. Origin One – Dance Again

Call Sender - Lost To The Storm

“Dark cosmic psy-fi funk with crunchy drums and spacey sounds. Something you would like to find on 70‘s DeWolfe or Conroy library. Right up my alley!” JJ Whitefield (Poets of Rhythm / Karl Hector / Whitefield Brothers)

“Some delicious moody funk scapes that tick all my boxes” Shawn Lee

“A brilliantly played & recorded album in the vein of the Library Music that no doubt inspired it!” DJ Format

Call Sender is the collaborative brainchild of Suffolk (UK) based multi-instrumentalist, composer, producer, and engineer Paul Elliott and Bay-area (US) resident multi-instrumentalist, recording engineer and drummer Michael Reed. Birthed from drumming clips uploaded online during the pandemic, Michael and Paul fostered their creative partnership through the medium of Skype, resulting in a timeless jazz-funk LP ‘Lost To The Storm’, despite living on separate continents and yet to meet in person.

Taken from the namesake of a vintage intercom, Call Sender’s debut album ‘Lost To The Storm’ has an old-school vintage foundation with a modern perspective. The album is cinematic and timeless yet fresh, drawing comparisons to Big Crown Records, Surprise Chef and the new wave of jazz-funk artists.

Influenced by iconic acts such as Klaus Weiss, Miles Davis, and Nino Nardini, as well as obscure library tracks, experimental music, European film soundtracks and a hip and funky sonic aesthetic, Call Sender’s music is nostalgic without being pastiche, has a sense of travelling at its core, having been recorded in different parts of the globe, while never hesitating on the direction of the music.

“It was never overtly discussed but I believe we wanted to continue that tradition and have funky stuff that had a cinematic vibe to it”, says Michael. Paul adds: “I kinda thought as we were making ‘Lost To The Storm’ that it could be the soundtrack to a weird and obscure film - instrumental, funky at times, some drama.”

The artwork by award-winning photographer George Karbus, one of the world’s leading outdoor photographers, perfectly encapsulates the imagery of ‘Lost To The Storm’. All titles of the album tracks are named after places near where Michael and Paul live, half from The Bay Area, USA and the other half from Suffolk, UK. ‘Lost To The Storm’ takes its name from the lost town of Dunwich on the Suffolk Coast. “A town literally lost to a storm – Britain’s version of Atlantis!” Paul jokes.

Tracklist:
1. Mad Mark
2. Nova
3. Midnight at Baker
4. Old Survivor
5. Tidefall
6. The Black Dog
7. The Red House
8. Lost To The Storm
9. Wilderness
10. Sizewell
11. Panorama
12. Palm Forest

Steven Bamidele - Summing Up

"An introspective neo-soul masterpiece” - FIP
"Electronic Soul At Its Finest" – Clash
"Extremely talented. Gorgeously soulful" – Tony Minvielle (Jazz FM)
"Unbelievable talent" - BBC Introducing

'Summing Up’ is the debut album from singer, songwriter, and producer Steven Bamidele. The album is a deeply personal project that has seen Steven using lyrical exploration as a form of self-therapy, often unpicking themes of racial identity, family, and self-reflection.

The album features previous singles “Kaleidoscope feat. Scarlett Fae”, “Dark Sense Of Humour (Farfisa)”, and “Sitting In The Dark”, which have received support from Clash Magazine, Tony Minvielle (Jazz FM), Valida (KCRW), Bill Brewster, BBC Introducing, New Music Friday UK (Spotify), Lefto, Laurent Garnier and Stereofox.

Tackling subjects that include his childhood, mental health struggles and his relationships with those close to him, Steven Bamidele writes with an openness and integrity throughout ‘Summing Up’ that allows the audience to share and understand his stories, while also seeing a reflection of their own. With a Bossa nova-tinged guitar hook, focus track “Lesson Learnt” thoughtfully leaves space for individual interpretations on what it is to second guess what those around you need and expect from you; toeing the line between trying to live as an individual without disappointing the people close to you.

His relationship between individualism and relating to society is a topic explored across ‘Summing Up’. Brimming with carefully thought-out production, “Dark Sense Of Humour (Farfisa)” is written about his childhood experiences of displacement moving from Nigeria to the UK at a young age. Steven utilises the experimental musicality of the track to tell the story of these paradoxical feelings he dwelled on since relocating. These feelings, alongside his relationship with his late father as a mixed-race child, are echoed in “Head Down”. Here, Steven repeats the title of the track as the main hook creating an anthem for the introverts and outsiders who may feel like they are watching and waiting on the sidelines.

The theme of self-reflection and the years of obsessive dedication to finding his creative voice are also explored across the album. Highlighting his introspective style of song writing and production styles rooted in curiosity and exploration, “Kaleidoscope” is a love song shimmering with humility; “It’s to my girlfriend Lucy,” Steven explains, “it’s me saying I know I haven’t been the most present and attentive person, but I want to try and be better.” More open in their dedication, “Sitting In The Dark” and “Throw It All Away!” explore the tunnel vision Steven has had for making music over the years and the subsequent guilt he’s felt as family and friends have fallen to the wayside in pursuit of a dream.

Speaking about the latter track, he adds, “I wanted to make a dance track the way I would make one which is sad and awkward.” Stepping out of his comfort zone, the musical evolution of this track serves as a representation of Steven’s progression with making music, summing up what it means to find your feet and become a more authentic version of yourself both creatively and personally. “I’m a big fan of people doing what they do, no matter what anyone says; going against the grain, being stubborn about it. I think the best results in art come out of that attitude.”

From synths to found sounds, Steven has allowed ideas to come through organically, following impulses to tell stories and evoke feelings. As reflected on ‘Summing Up’, at a point in his life, music took over and Steven did whatever was necessary to make it happen. “It was when my dad passed and then covid arrived a couple of months later that I really started to slow down and accept that other people and things demanded my attention and care,” he acknowledges

With influences ranging from Marvin Gaye and Radiohead to Lianne La Havas and Solange, Steven crafts his own unique and intricate sound, combining synth textures, syncopated beats, and reverb-drenched falsetto to create psychedelic forward-thinking soul. After self-releasing several singles, his debut EP “Uncrowded” and the Salami Rose Joe Louis remix, Steven went on to be sampled by KayCyy for his “Get Used To It” mixtape. Under his former alias ‘Mirror Signal’, Steven was featured on the ‘Brownswood Bubblers 11’ compilation, performed a live session for Gilles Peterson and was selected by Jamie Cullum and PRS Foundation to perform at Montreal Jazz Festival in 2016. 

Tracklist:
1. Sitting In The Dark
2. Dark Sense Of Humour (Farfisa)
3. No One Said
4. Lesson Learnt
5. Pathways
6. Throw It All Away!
7. Kaleidoscope (feat. Scarlett Fae)
8. Misunderstood
9. Head Down

VA - Shapes: Collide (Compiled by Robert Luis)

Tru Thoughts proudly present ‘Shapes: Collide’, the latest addition to the label’s series of essential compilations curated by A&R, label founder and co-owner, DJ – Robert Luis.

After 24 years of independently releasing music, the ‘Shapes’ LPs celebrate the best of our wide-ranging and international roster, with established acts on the label, such Japanese MPC-wizard Anchorsong, Grammy-nominated LA-trio Moonchild and the imagined orchestra of Joe Acheson, Hidden Orchestra, sitting alongside newer signings, including London-based singer/songwriter Steven Bamidele, the new alias from Irish producer Cian McCann (Zero T) aka Bruk Rogers and the dynamic producer, keyboard duo Born47 & Onj.

The 36-track digital album includes fresh releases, classic catalogue pieces and imaginative remixes from influential names across many different scenes, like Seoul-duo Salamanda, Gilles Peterson’s STR4TA, Ashley Beedle’s North Street West trio, pioneer of the broken beat movement IG Culture, and many more.

“I always enjoy putting our yearly Shapes compilations together, as it allows me some time to look at the music direction of Tru Thoughts currently and going forward. The label has always embraced an eclectic and open-minded music policy, and this Shapes’ reflects that very well. With new artists making their initial music journeys with us alongside the more established artists of the roster but all of them connected by pushing themselves as artists and being creative within their own genres.” Robert Luis

‘Shapes: Collide’ is a milestone compilation for the label’s output, celebrating the talents of the intercontinental musical community that makes Tru Thoughts the diverse, creative and independent powerhouse it is, with music spanning the globe from the UK, US, Israel, Japan, France, Belgium, Switzerland, South Korea, Taiwan, Australia, and beyond. Eclecticism is at the album’s core, and the tracklist is an honest reflection of this, with the compilation programmed in two parts, creating moving connections between music for the dancefloor and for chilling at home.

‘Shapes: Collide’ pedestals debut albums from newcomers on the label – Nottingham-based soul-sister duo MELONYX’s ‘Soul Glow’; Bristol-based producer, artist, songwriter Slowe’s ‘Where The Mind Wanders’ and Brussels-based producer, multi-instrumentalist and DJ Kuna Maze, on his concept record ‘Night Shift’. While the comp also champions stalwarts on the roster; broken beat renaissance man WheelUP, Glaswegian creative polymath Rebecca Vasmant, and underground master-of-all trades Sly5thAve.

The artwork for the compilation is created by graphic designer James Mayall, creative director of Bexhill-based, Studio Mayall, who encapsulates and plays on the release title.

Robert Luis is the founder, co-owner and A&R for Tru Thoughts record label, he hosts a weekly radio show called Unfold and his DJ style covers a wide range of music from beats, jazz, jungle, grime, funk, bass, south asian grooves, tropical, hip hop, uk garage, reggae, soul to drum and bass. This eclectic style has resulted in him DJ'ing across the world, everywhere from underground clubs in Moscow, USA, Europe, Australia and across the UK to MTV Party's in Cannes, We Out Here, Love Supreme, Bestival, Montreux, SXSW, The Big Chill, V Festival and a whole host of festivals across Europe. 

Tracklist:
1. Steven Bamidele - Kaleidoscope
2. Melonyx - Melanin Queens
3. Slowe - Stay Right Here
4. Moonchild - The Truth (Acoustic)
5. The Sindecut - Different
6. Sefi Zisling - Welcome Sunset
7. Karolina - Ready For Juju
8. Running Loving Something - I Love The Feeling
9. Sly5thAve - Energy
10. Palm Skin Productions - Rule of 12ths
11. Anchorsong - Windmills (Salamanda Remix)
12. Hidden Orchestra - XI. Flight (Cello & Strings)
13. Tiawa - Mountains Of Metal (Version)
14. Rhi - Craving Your Love
15. Biggabush - Black Swan Revival (Robot Riddims Hurting a Different Style Remix -Instrumental)
16. Origin One - Dance Again (Instrumental)
17. Aurora Dee Raynes - Something Sensible
18. Fybe:One - Don't Let Go
19. The Sindecut - Stand Tall (Club Mix)
20. Kuna Maze - I Told U
21. Rebecca Vasmant - Broken Biscuits
22. Sharky - Memories Of Vortex (El Payo Remix)
23. Luman Child - Grateful (North Street West Vocal Remix)
24. Anushka - Bad Weather (Str4Ta Remix)
25. WheelUP - Infinity
26. Nikitch - 507 Miles High (Ig Culture Remix)
27. Aurora Dee Raynes - Crazy That You Love (El-B Remix)
28. Bruk Rogers - LDN 313
29. zero dB - A Pomba Girou (Szajna Remix)
30. Hint - At the Dance (VIP Instrumental)
31. Lightning Head - Me & Me Princess (Jay Darkside Remix)
32. Crafty 893 - Boot It (Radio Edit)
33. Anchorsong - Common Ground (Azido 88 Remix)
34. Palm Skin Productions - Trickle Up
35. Ebi Soda - Playstation (Ash Walker Dub)
36. Born74 - Mind Vibrations

The Sindecut and Ljeoma - Late

“Lovin' the groove n' vocal delivery" – Don Letts (BBC 6Music)
“British Hip-Hop Pioneers!” – Break to the Beat
“The Sindecut return better than ever with a tough, soulful, bottom-heavy delight of an album. A great mix of deep and catchy, which is exactly my style!” – Mr Scruff

Pioneering British Hip-Hop crew The Sindecut, featuring founding member DJ Fingers, and New York-based Geordie, singer-songwriter Ijeoma share their debut album ‘Late’, the cumulative outcome garnered from a 20-year creative collaboration and vision. ‘Late’ is being released as a super limited edition, hand-numbered, run of 500 vinyl, never to be repressed (in any format, variation or colour) ever again.

Talking about the upcoming album ‘Late’, Karl, aka DJ Fingers, says: “This album is a long time coming. I think the time has allowed us to mature in how we want to sound, and we are just attempting to build on our momentum creatively and are forever grateful to be collaborating with the musicians we work with.” Jess, aka Ijeoma, adds, “we paired the album with animations that interpret and bring to life the theme of each song on the record.”

London hip-hop collective The Sindecut are credited as one of the pioneers of the UK hip-hop scene, releasing the acclaimed ‘Changing The Scenery’ album in 1990 on Virgin Records (which was sampled by The Prodigy in “We Are The Ruffest” from the remix album of their classic ‘The Prodigy Experience’). The Sindecut were one of the first UK hip-hop groups to sign to a major label – fusing their sound with soul and reggae.

DJ Fingers is hailed as one of the first turntablists in the UK and featured in the iconic 1997 ‘Bad Meaning Good’ BBC documentary about UK hip-hop culture. A self-described Breakbeat DJ for MCs, he understands his role and link to the Sound System tradition. Influenced by the likes of Grandmaster Flash, Kool Herc, Grand Mixer DST, DJ Whizz Kid, and DJ Jazzy Jay – Fingers’ fundamental mantra is the running theme of “Knowledge of Self”, which he always strives to push conceptually through his many projects.

‘Late’ is interspersed with DJ Fingers’ trademark larger-than-life drums and Ijeoma’s magnetic vocals, lead-single “Different”, created on the day of Winnie Mandela's funeral, is about navigating and learning from life’s situations; while the jazz-infused single “Lucky”, laced with double bass and cinematic horns, was the first song the duo wrote for the album, and became the catalyst for the rest of the project. Album opener ‘Better Than Never’, is almost trip-hop in style, DJ Fingers atmospheric and cinematic hip-hop production meets Ijeoma’s yearning vocals, a formula selectively used throughout the sonic arch of the album, while reggae and dub seeps in on album focus track “Soldier”.

The album follows “Stand Tall”, an infectious slice of breakbeat street soul and The Sindecut and Ijeoma’s debut release on Tru Thoughts. “Stand Tall” was praised by the likes of Craig Charles, Don Letts (BBC 6Music) and Mr Scruff, and marked a new chapter for the duo on Tru Thoughts. 

Tracklist:
1. Better Than Never
2. Soldier
3. Right Now
4. About You
5. Different
6. Change
7. Lucky
8. What You Love
9. All Mine
10. Freedom

Palm Skin Productions - A Swarm In July

Palm Skin Productions – AKA versatile musician and producer Simon Richmond (whose CV includes Mo’ Wax, Depeche Mode, REM, Pulp, Neneh Cherry, and The Bays) – announces a new album ‘A Swarm In July’ a proverbial inspired record.

‘A Swarm In July' is a concept record that offers an alternative set of hacked proverbs to mirror the movement of the music and its path from ambience to rhythm, from harmony to noise, from its closed-in intimacies to its soaring expansions. The album looks at what happens when you choose to shift the crop - when you find the story within the story. As Simon eloquently puts it:

“A proverb. A phrase. A saying. A Say-ing - the performance of that which has been said. A maxim. A truism. True-ism - the ideology or the myth of truth? Whose truth? Who puts you in the picture? What is the crop, the edit? When can you trust a truism in the world of deep fake? If every story is dependent on its beginning and end, how many stories are there, dormant, within the prescribed boundaries? Pre-Scribed - already written - typeset for us.”

‘A Swarm In July’ is a masterclass on how to frame and evolve stories and sound, created and recorded far and wide, while static and on the move. The title itself is taken from the proverbial bee-keepers saying, “A swarm in July is not worth a fly”, meaning that the later in the year it is, the less time there will be for bees to collect pollen from the flowers in blossom. Simon instead recontextualises this within the framework of the politically manufactured UK migrant crisis, dissecting the language used to dehumanise refugees: “When does a group become a swarm? When is a swarm valuable, and to whom? A swarm of bees to the beekeeper? A swarm of people to the forces of repression and hate?”

Lead-single ‘Them That Help’, an orchestral, almost neo-classical, texturised soundscape featuring the transcendent viola of John Metcalfe (Duke Quartet/The Durutti Column), is taken from the false proverb “the Lord helps them that help themselves”, a phrase that originated in ancient Greece as “the Gods help those who help themselves” but has since been weaponised to accelerate neo-liberal agendas. Palm Skin Productions subverts the fictitious biblical reference, turning heresy into class critique:

“Take a set of scales. At one end put the gold-plated pomp of high religion. The acquisition of wealth and people. The colonising forces that helped themselves to vast swathes of the world. At the other end of the scale are the carers, the helpers, the friends. The people. The heavyweights.”

Elsewhere on the record, ‘Need Is A Friend’, partially recorded on headphones in Ralph Lawson’s (20/20 Vision label boss) front room in Leeds, hanging out before a gig, is a play on “A friend in need is a friend indeed.” Simon adds: “How often do we tell a story of obligation to make us feel better? Are these needs, or are they choices? Are these needs the friends we rely on as our alibis? With friends like needs, who needs enemies?”. For ‘We Stand, Divided’, a take on “Together we stand, divided we fall”, Simon contextualises again through the prism of the toxic UK immigration debate, fuelled by the fires of the Brexit referendum: “So many are taught to fear difference, to harden community into a dividing wall, but our strength is in our beautiful variation. Puppets stand in homogenous herds, moulded to a single malleable unit. We stand in celebratory disarray.”

‘I Say Not As I’ harnesses the language of the great British playwright Harold Pinter, a personal hero to Simon: “He can make the most mundane phrase bristle with menace. Ordinary objects and actions become sinister in his hands, just as the forces of oppression and torture get portrayed within the familiarity of cliché and monotony.” Album closer ‘Far From The Tree’ is in memory of Simon’s father who passed away while he was making this record: “It was important for me to finish the record with a piece of music for him that also has something of him in it. I’m so glad the finished piece - ‘Far From The Tree’ - is something that I think adequately fills the space I had in my mind but also makes sense in terms of the rest of the record.” 

Tracklist:
1. We Stand, Divided
2. Himself and The Devil
3. The Sword Will Die
4. Them That Help
5. I Say, Not As I
6. My Bones, But Words
7. Need Is A Friend
8. Far From The Tree

Nenor & Eyal Rob - What Are You Waiting For?

Journeying to Accra, Ghana, where they were asked to lecture and DJ, Nenor & Eyal Rob (a.k.a Rabo & Snob) brought some recording equipment and some basic beats and asked around for some local talent; ELi A Free was highly recommended by a mutual friend and was invited to the hotel room, where they set up a makeshift studio and recorded the foundations of ‘What Are You Waiting For?’

ELi's soulful vocals and conscious lyrics perfectly matched the duo’s raw and organic productions. Once returning home, Nenor & Eyal started working on the music, adding percussion they brought from Ghana, live drums and more from Nenor’s vast collection of analogue and quirky gear.

The outcome is ‘What Are You Waiting For?, a four-track EP featuring two originals and two remixes. “It is a call to all who live under the sun to participate in bringing forth the change this old world so badly needs.“ ELi A Free adds about the lyrical content.

The Rabo & Snob remix of the title track sees the production duo return with a remix that strips the original to a hypnotic, dubby and raw club tune – with a faster tempo and heavy bass.

LTJ X-perience is a veteran Italian producer who is played regularly by essential tastemakers all over the globe. His solid, steady-pace style perfectly complements ‘Pick & Choose’.

Tracklist:
1. What Are You Waiting For?
2. Pick & Choose
3. What Are You Waiting For? (Rabo & Snob Remix)
4. Pick & Choose (LTJ X-Perience Remix)

Slowe - Where The Mind Wanders

‘Where The Mind Wanders’ is the debut album from Bristol-based producer, multi-instrumentalist, artist and songwriter, Slowe.

This project is a window into Slowe’s mind, with each song reflecting a different aspect of her inner world. With a musical landscape that ebbs and flows, Slowe poetically addresses the struggles of self-doubt and the beauty of fulfilment and joy. These themes are perfectly embodied in “A Simple Act” as she explores uncertainty, wanting to push herself, but faltering at times with a lack of confidence. Led by the cyclical urge to push yourself and subsequent hesitancy, the lyrics move through sparkling R&B Rhodes and celesta that nod to her love of neo-soul and a loose beat played by Conor Harrington, bopping between Sam Fox’s smooth bassline.

The tracks showcase the versatility in Slowe’s production, with different expressions mirroring the furthest corners of her mind, “both introspective and immersive, each track is a dive into the depths of the human psyche, exploring the intricacies of emotions and thoughts that often go unspoken” she explains.

‘Where The Mind Wanders’ features previous singles “WLYTK”, Slowe’s avant-soul exploration of withheld feelings, the retro-tinged slow jam “Superego”, and the urban jazz-hop groove “Fix Me Up’” featuring Rachai. Speaking of seeking balance, certainty and clarity when moving forward it “perfectly summarises the themes on the album and what I was going through when making these songs” Slowe adds.

‘Feel’ features a team of local, Bristolian musicians: Eli Jitsuto from Snazzback plays the guitar, Sam Fox adds the melodic bass riff, Conor Harrington is on drums and Laurence Fazakerly Buglass brings his effortless keys into the mix. As they dance in a sultry, sparse arrangement the focus shifts between two imperfect people navigating bad habits in a relationship, where they are ultimately overcome by unconditional love. Embedded in the album is the J Dilla inspired instrumental gem, “Inertia”, through which Slowe’s production takes mainstage with the captivating, improvised saxophone from Oli Morris. ‘Stay Right Here’ celebrates a 10-year milestone in her relationship, “it's quite a beautiful thing to know someone that well and to have shared so much together” Slowe reflects, embracing her contentment. Aiming for a classic, 70’s soul feel, Slowe and the co-producer Laurence composed a string section by layering each player and recreated a gritty, vintage quality with pedal effects. “Solar” captures a feeling of seasons moving past you, whilst feeling stuck in winter, which comes through in the raw, acoustic feel. In response to this tension, the following track “Lunar” reassures with a success story of breaking free from the anxiety that holds you back and prevents you from reaching your full potential. The final, psychedelia-tinged track “Calibrate” closes the album.

Following continued support from resident DJ James Threlfall, BBC Introducing have shared a short, exclusive, live rendition of “Superego”. The project has also garnered support from Robert Elms (BBC Radio London), Don Letts (BBC Radio 6 Music), BBC Radio 6 Music’s Focus Beats, Valida and Scott Dallavo (KCRW), Boba Fatt and Tom Pickford (Soho Radio), Marshmello (NTS), Neil Bopperson and General Public (Balamii), Stereofox and Dummy Mag, among others.

Slowe’s DIY approach is reminiscent of lo-fi beat-making; delicately layering together session recordings, and repurposing techniques akin to those of J Dilla and Madlib. The result is both nostalgic and fiercely contemporary, with sparkling Rhodes, vintage drum lines, and buttery vocals. The combination of Slowe’s radiant lilts and introspective lyricism atop the fuzzy, analogue warmth makes for swooning escapism. 

Tracklist:
1. WYLTK
2. Superego
3. Fix Me Up
4. Feel
5. A Simple Act
6. Inertia
7. Stay Right Here
8. Solar
9. Lunar
10. Calibrate

Fybe:One - This Is Ours

‘This Is Ours’ is the new LP from South London-based producer, DJ, illustrator, and graphic designer Greg Haynes AKA Fybe:One. Stemming first from collaborations with singer and songwriter Liam Bailey, the sophomore album features previous Double A single “Don’t Let Go feat. Liam Bailey”/“We Go Down Smooth feat. Georgia Blackwell”, alongside tracks taken from Fybe:One’s “Sky Loops” EP. His first full album with Tru Thoughts, the release is a cumulation of experimental production and a celebration of varied vocal offerings.

“Greg’s great at creating feelings through the textures and patterns he uses and that gave me confidence to relax and trust where the music was taking me” – Liam Bailey

Taking its name from a Liam Bailey lyric, each track on ‘This Is Ours’ exists in its own space and subject matter, bound together by Fybe:One’s innovative production and the universality of the human experience. The collaborations are organic and respectful, wrapped in the glow of the positivity that comes from appreciating what you have; be it family, surroundings, nature, or your own creativity. “I wanted to find a lot of vocalists I hadn’t worked with before. A friend would introduce me to a singer they knew, I had made a track that day, and the track and the vocalist would go together perfectly,” Fybe:One highlights, speaking of the serendipity and understanding that went into piecing together ‘This Is Ours’.

The LP features “Gone”, “Flip That” and “Too High”, taken from the “Sky Loops” EP. The beat-driven release was created at the height of summer during a difficult year as a positive remedy; laced with organic sounds and underpinned with eclectic production. Swirled with the joy of these instrumental productions are fresh UK vocal stylings from Katey Brooks, recent Wu-Lu collaborator Breezy Lee, Georgia Blackwell and Liam Bailey.

Known for his releases on Amy Winehouse’s Lioness Records and Big Crown, alongside collaborations with Chase & Status, Shy FX, Salaam Remi, Breakage, and Alix Perez, the collaborations between Fybe:One and Liam Bailey underpin the most radiating elements of ‘This Is Ours’. On “Don’t Let Go” Liam Bailey make a heartfelt plea, driven by spontaneously open and honest lyrics, taking inspiration from the breakdown of a close friend’s marriage. Meanwhile, “Bliss” was the last track the pair worked on together, creating the perfect tune to daydream to with your eyes closed. Across all tracks, the organic chemistry between the two shines through the delight of ‘This Is Ours’.

Fybe:One set up the Shades label in 2011 (joining forces with DJ Herse, Duct and Owen Howells) and has been releasing, remixing and collaborating on music for the better part of a decade with supporters of his work including Gilles Peterson, Mary Anne Hobbs, Lauren Laverne and Laurent Garnier. Having self-released his debut EP “Harp” in 2012 followed by a remix album featuring reworkings from Deft, Troy Gunner and Blaksmif, his debut LP ‘Elements’ was released in 2014.

His “Sky Loops” EP was released on Tru Thoughts in 2020. Alongside his own releases, Fybe:One produced for Jono McCleery (Ninja Tune) as well as remixes for Monokle, Skip&Die, Howson’s Groove, Part Time Heroes, and Warsnare. These tracks have appeared across releases from WahWah45, Eton Messy, Project Mooncircle, Substruct and more Fybe:One has spent the past few years exploring new genres and sounds. He has regular shows on Music Box Radio and AAJA radio and has compiled mixes for brands such as Shore Projects and Brydon Brothers. He also creates album covers, graphics and illustrations for Project Mooncircle, EMI, Cavendish Music and more.

Tracklist:
1. Sensetory Space (feat. Katey Brooks)
2. Don't Let Go (feat. Liam Bailey)
3. Too High
4. Bliss (feat. Liam Bailey)
5. Lovin' Me
6. You Go Down Smooth (feat. Georgia Blackwell)
7. What Have I Done (feat. Liam Bailey)
8. Flip That
9. Let Me Come Home (feat. Liam Bailey)
10. Gone
11. Refuge (feat. Breezy Lee)

Aurora Dee Raynes - Ribbon Of Hot Plasma

“Ribbon Of Hot Plasma” EP is the latest from North London’s Aurora Dee Raynes, featuring lead single “Something Sensible”, which received upfront support from Craig Charles (BBC 6Music). It follows their debut ‘Invisible Things’ LP and subsequent remixes from Shy One and El-B.

Beginning on an exploratory trajectory, focus track “Underwater Shapeshifter” plays with the youthful joy that can be found in the endless possibilities of the unknown. As the track lyrically looks back on the past, the hidden parts of our memories and questions around changing our ways, the energy and driving sub bass carries the listener through the musical waters. “We started toying with the idea that you shapeshift into a new world – you don’t mess it up. It’s dangerous and exciting. It will paint new pictures and give you new directions,” vocalist Danielle Kranendonk explains.

Built of gentle vocals over a subtly funky groove, “Something Sensible” explores the simple beauty that can be found in the sensible ending of a sensible relationship, choosing instead to stay in someone’s life from afar. “It’s not always about negative and hard feelings, there are layers”, Kranendonk muses. Pieced together by Raynes, the track begins with warm and earnest keys from Nicholas Johnson, which provide a cleansing backdrop for Kranendonk’s softer vocals to glide across. The funky driving force of the track comes from bassist Will Harper, consisting of thoughtful takes, reworkings and layering.

As the first new music since the debut LP from Aurora Dee Raynes, the “Ribbon Of Hot Plasma” EP sees the group revisit their core ethos, with the power of honest lyrics and collaborative production and instrumentation unifying and underpinning each of the tracks. Having taken the name Aurora Dee Raynes after finding the crashing of particles to create the Borealis a fitting metaphor for producer Stephen Raynes and Kranendonk crashing into each other to create music, they looked to the stars once again for the title of the project.

Stumbling upon the story of mysterious and unusual new aurora borealis (or more specifically a ribbon of hot plasma), fondly named STEVE (Strong Thermal Emission Velocity Enhancement), they knew they’d found their EP title. “It is the “highly ionised plasma consisting of large numbers of electrons and positive ions, with the temperature of both being extremely high”. It’s a little weird, it sounds great and when we said it, we both reacted instantly. It describes our energy, and it had Stephen’s name in it. A sign and a feeling born from what we decided to name ourselves,” explains Kranendonk.

On “Reading Fiction”, the metaphor of particles gathering is used to illustrate the supportiveness in people coming together and becoming more than the sum of their parts. Radiating with a sultry groove, the lyrics seek to inspire and encourage people to wear their crown and “just do you”. Fuelled by producer Stephen Raynes’s late night beat-making studio sessions and Kranendonk’s night owl tendencies, the track embodies the colliding energy of Aurora Dee Raynes. Completing “Ribbon Of Hot Plasma” with final Aurora Dee Raynes touches, “Maths” comes equipped with urgent energy touching on jazz pianos, direction changes, vocal drops and varying styles that create space to groove and welcome us further into the party.

Tracklist:
1. Underwater Shapeshifter
2. Reading Fiction
3. Something Sensible
4. Maths
5. Reading Fiction (Radio Edit)
6. Maths (Radio Edit)
7. Underwater Shapeshifter (Instrumental)
8. Reading Fiction (Instrumental)
9. Something Sensible (Instrumental)
10. Maths (Instrumental)

Biggabush - A Different Style

“One of UK rave’s most prominent exponents of dubwise experimentation” Bandcamp Daily
“Breathtakingly eclectic” – XLR8R

For much of the 2021 lockdown(s), veteran dub midi-maestro Glyn “Bigga” Bush was locked in the studio revisiting an album originally released in 2004 on German imprint Stereo Deluxe, ‘Biggabush Free’. The outcome from this marathon session was a newly revised album titled ‘Biggabush Freevisited’, a record has been praised by the likes of The Wire Magazine, Kid Hops (KEXP), 239EF (NTS), Jamie Rodigan (whynowworld) and many more.

“A Different Style EP” is the remix EP follow up to ‘Biggabush Freevisited’. Highlighting a variety of bass-heavy styles, the release features reworkings from Sentinel 793, Robot Riddims, James Hayford and Gerry Hectic, ranging from 8-bit electronic dub to deep house disco and bruk.

“The thing I love about a good remix is that it references the original track but adds the remixers stamp and style in a respectful way that enhances the song and takes it off in new directions that I would never have thought of” Biggabush

Opening the EP with the first of two reworkings of “The River feat. Jackie Walters”, Sentinel 793 adds his trademark off kilter beats with beautiful chord progressions to the ethereal vocals of Jackie Walters. In contrast, the Gerry Hectic Extension of the track is an edit of the album version, weaving the instrumental to create a 14 minute epic take. Elsewhere on the release, Robot Riddims meld electronic drama with quirky console sounds on “Black Swan Revival feat. Farda P & Jackie Walters”, keeping Farda P as the central MC, and James Hayford builds on the ambient style of “Sole Sister” adding beats and breaks. Biggabush also takes the opportunity to put his own different slant on Real & Regal feat. Farda P”: “With the Bigga’s Rising Dub version, I went back to the track and made the whole thing spacier and darker. I’m a massive fan of Rhythm & Sound’s minimal dub/techno and wanted to bring this deep form of repetition and slowly unfolding sounds into the mix”.

Featuring vocalist Jackie Walters, MC Farda P, turntablist Jay Rees and The Blackjack Horns, ‘Biggabush Freevisited’ is a more cohesive version of its precursor, which began with a desire to break out of Glyn’s usual routines, habits and ways of writing music: the title is a play on the idea of alcohol-free, or sugar-free: “I took my old self out of the process and came back with something new” Glyn elaborates. As with any Biggabush project, the album covers an array of genres, from dub, instrumental hip-hop, ambient dub, electro, deep house, prog flavours and everything in between. 

Tracklist:
1. This River (feat. Jackie Walters) (Sentinel 793 Remix)
2. Black Swan Revival (feat. Farda P & Jackie Walters) (Robot Riddims Hurting a Different Style Remix)
3. Real & Regal (feat. Farda P) (Bigga's Rising Dub)
4. Sole Sister (James Hayford Shoes Remix)
5. This River (feat. Jackie Walters) (Gerry Hectic's River Stour Towpath Extension)
6. This River (feat. Jackie Walters) (Sentinel 793 Remix -Instrumental)
7. Black Swan Revival (feat. Farda P & Jackie Walters) (Robot Riddims Hurting a Different Style Remix -Instrumental)
8. Real & Regal (feat. Farda P) (Bigga's Rising Dub -Instrumental)

VA - Tru Thoughts 2022

‘Tru Thoughts 2022’ is the latest instalment from our annual compilation series. Curated by A&R, DJ and co-founder Robert Luis, the 32-track digital comp celebrates the best of the wide-ranging, diverse, and international roster. Selections span from Neo-Soul, Alternative Pop, Jazz and Contemporary Classical to Grime, Broken Beat, DnB and Electronica.

“When compiling our end of year release, it always gives me a chance to look back over the year we’ve had at Tru Thoughts and the artists we’ve worked with. We are an eclectic label, which reflects my own personal taste in music. In an era with a vast amount of music available, I always feel these compilations are a good way to remind people of the quality releases from the last 12 months. In a world after lockdown and with the UK music industry still dealing with the negative consequences of Brexit, this compilation highlights the creative strength and power of the artists on the Tru Thoughts roster; and, I feel, the wider world of artists and labels too” Robert Luis

We also have a Tru Thoughts 2022 T-shirt available alongside the compilation, check it out via Everpress everpress.com/tru-thoughts-compilation-2022 T-shirts can be ordered up until the 5th Dec, with shipping in time for Christmas.

Highlighted as the compilation’s focus track, ‘Tru Thoughts 2022’ features “The Sky Sings feat. Layla Moallem, Jasmin Moallem & KerenDun (Obas Nenor’s Dub) (Radio Edit)”; an exclusive edit of the hugely celebrated dub taken from Sefi Zisling’s “Welcome Sunset” EP. Renowned for creating music using a unique blend of rare vintage instruments and sounds, Tel Aviv producer and DJ Obas Nenor condenses the hypnotic groove of his original 11-minute remix into an impeccable radio edit. As Robert Luis adds, “it has been going down well in many DJ sets (including my own), but on this compilation we have a nice edit of the remix to highlight the vibe of the song”.

‘Tru Thoughts 2022’ boasts an incredible selection of burgeoning talent who have signed to Tru Thoughts this year. The debut single from Bristol-based producer, multi-instrumentalist, artist, and songwriter Slowe sits alongside the surreal and experimental sounds of Sharky’s smutty love song “Shark”, taken from her album ‘People Are Strange’. Glasgow-based musician, producer, DJ and curator Rebecca Vasmant works with Nadya Albertsson on “Broken Biscuits” taken from her “Dance Yourself Free” EP. Renowned songstress Karolina collaborates with Jenny Penkin on “Ready For Juju” (taken from ‘All Rivers’) and London-based Irish producer Cian McCaan AKA Zero T introduces his new alias - Bruk Rogers – on “LDN 133” and revisits his Zero T DnB sound on his remix of Nottingham Soul duo MELONYX’s “Energy”.

Amongst these debut releases and new signings sit offerings from established members of the Tru Thoughts roster. LA-based trio Moonchild present “Tell Him feat. Lalah Hathaway”, as previously featured on the BBC 6Music playlist, taken from ‘Starfruit’. Released at the beginning of 2022, the LP received international praise from the likes of Pitchfork, Exclaim!, NME, NPR, Billboard and more. Duos Nikitch & Kuna Maze and Rabii Harnoune & V.B.Kühl showcase their respective Bruk-Jazz and Moroccan Gnawa-Electronic fusion sounds on their sophomore albums, while Hidden Orchestra revisit ‘Archipelago’ on its tenth anniversary with the special ‘Archipelago: Source Materials’.

The collaborative spirit of Tru Thoughts continues to bubble through ‘Tru Thoughts 2022’. Producer, multi-instrumentalist, arranger, and composer Sly5thAve celebrates the spirit of Mexico City with pianist and producer Roberto Verástegui on “Agua de Jamaica” and the intersection of Jazz and Hip Hop with MC JSWISS on “Somebody’s Gotta Do It”. West London’s producer, DJ and Broken Beat revivalist WheelUP teams up More Time Records co-founder Sam Interface on collaborative riddim “Copacetic”; Future Soul and Electronica duo Anushka offer up “4AM” - an iconic project with Kraftwerk’s legendary Wolfgang Flür; and Brighton-based Jazz quintet Ebi Soda work with Yazz Ahmed on “Chandler”.

Remixes are plentiful with Gilles Peterson and Jean-Paul “Bluey” Maunick AKA STR4TA bringing their iconic Brit-funk style to Anushka’s “Bad Weather”, while the prolific and widely praised Shy One homes in on Aurora Dee Raynes’ “Good For You”. Broken Beat touches come from Bugz in the Attic member Daz-I-Kue delivering an anthemic remix of WheelUP’s “Fusion” and producer and multi-instrumentalist Hemai putting his own signature blend of live instrumentation and Bruk-heavy flavour on label-mate Sly5thAve’s “C-Side feat. Denitia”. Demonstrating the eclecticism of the label, further remixes come from Hinako Omori (Anchorsong) and Renegates of Jazz (sUb_modU). 

Tracklist:
1. Moonchild - Tell Him
2. Slowe - WYLTK
3. Sharky - Shark
4. Sly5thAve - Agua de Jamaica
5. Karolina - Ready For Juju
6. Sefi Zisling - The Sky Sings (Obas Nenor's Dub (Edit))
7. Luman Child - Grateful
8. Anushka - Bad Weather (STR4TA Remix (Radio Edit))
9. Rebecca Vasmant - Broken Biscuits
10. Aurora Dee Raynes - Good For You (Shy One Remix)
11. Jonny Faith - Came To Spray
12. WheelUP - Fusion (Daz-I-Kue Remix)
13. Nikitch - La Di F... Da
14. zero dB - A Pomba Girou (Austin Ato Remix)
15. WheelUP - Copacetic
16. Bruk Rogers - LDN 313
17. Yazz Ahmed - Chandler
18. Think Tonk - All My Weakness
19. Melonyx - Energy (Zero T Remix) (Radio Edit)
20. Jay Darkside - Follow We
21. Crafty 893 - Boot It (Radio Edit)
22. Biggabush - Black Swan Revival
23. Anchorsong - New World (Hinako Omori Remix)
24. Hidden Orchestra - X. Disquiet (Harps)
25. Tiawa - Be Fine
26. Rhi - Craving Your Love
27. Palm Skin Productions - Rule of 12ths
28. Sly5thAve - Somebody's Gotta Do It
29. Rabii Harnoune - Samaoui
30. sUb_modU - All Around (Renegades Of Jazz Remix)
31. Anushka - 4AM
32. Hemai - C-Side (Hemai Remix)