Smino
Blkswn

Hailing from South Carolina, Contour AKA Khari Lucas brings a fresh flow to black soul music on the fast-rising London label Touching Bass. Contour uses the 12 tracks on 'Onwards!' to reflect on the nature of black art - past, present and future. His tools of expression include his shakey but mesmerising voice, smoked-out beats and compelling lyricism. In an era full of excellent progressive 'soul' music (think Liv.e or Sudan Archives), Contour contributes a new gold standard. Shout out to Gabe Rivera for the gorgeous 35mm imagery, which he hand-developed in his home darkroom.

Another terrific release from Gut's live band on Heavenly Sweetness, this time leaning into Afro and Brazilian jazz-funk. Totally joyous and carefree rhythm, this is made for the beach or a sunny dance floor. Worth the pickup alone for the jazz flute and drum breaks on 'Daddy Sweet'... Ooofff!

It's been 17 years since Danger Mouse's last hip-hop album - the epic collaboration with the late great MF Doom. A production legend, DM has worked with many greats, from Gnarls Barkley to the Gorillaz. This time he links up with Philadelphia's rap extraordinaire Black Thought (frontman for the Roots, alongside Questlove) for his first Hip-Hop jawn since 2005, Cheat Codes. Unsurprisingly, it's a total triumph, full of rich beats and samples where Black Thought can lay down endless bars without a chorus. A proper treat of old school sensibility with new school edge. Features verses from MF DOOM, Run The Jewels, A$AP Rocky, Raekwon, Joey Bada$$, Conway the Machine and more... what more can I say?