Various
The Time For Peace Is Now (Gospel Music About Us)

Meanjin's own producer + DJ extraordinaire Sampology AKA Sam Poggioli returns with this must-have LP! A culmination of the ideas previously heard on his last two EPs 'Natural Selections' & 'Mt Glorious', Sampo almost entirely pivoted away from a heavy sampled-based production into a largely live affair - with string quartets, woodwinds, 20-piece choirs, vibraphones, double bass, various pianos and synths... Like lots of Sampo's work, it's joyful, bouncy, textural and gorgeous front-to-back listening. Recorded from scratch in either his home studio or on his travels over the past four years, 'Regrowth' is the perfect album to sink into, thanks to its rich and colourful production. HUGE TIP!

Born in Rio in 1940, Helio won his first guitar from his father at age 12. He worked in sugar mills and as a sales clerk in record stores while beginning to play at Rio nightclubs. In 1975 he signed to RCA Victor, where he released his first LP, 'Matheus Segundo Matheus'. A stunning blend of jazz, funk, MBP, and quiet folk ballads, the album had a staggering 128 musicians contributing to the overall recordings, and he went on to play as a support for Azymuth for a period too. Unfortunately, he never lived to see this reissue by Athens Of The North, but they have certainly done it justice. A perfect Brazillian LP to play from start to finish.

Dallas native Liv.e stunner 2020 debut, a twenty-track stream of consciousness that jumps around from lo-fi spoken word and raps, neo-soul swoons and woozy, jazzy beats. It's like a digi-Erykah Badu reading thoughts from her diary... very intimate, emotional and internal. A very special release from someone to keep a close eye on!

A must-own for lovers of 80s 'cool' and anyone with even a passing interest in Brazillian music, with Cali-soaked bops, dancefloor heat and everything in between. One of Valle's biggest in his post-USA releases where he brought home the American soul, funk and boogie of its era. Legendary Brazil producers Lincoln Olivetti & Robson Jorge credited on keyboards and guitar and USA soul icon Leon Ware on backing vocals and a co-writer! ESSENTIAL LP!