Various Artists - Talking House Volume 2 (Local Talk)

I've been trying to hook-up with Sweden's Local Talk label for a while. Typically, house music aficionados aren't too receptive to this whole blogging thing, the backward buggers.

That said, this morning I was ecstatic to see LT's 'Talking House Volume 2' finally hit my Inbox.

As selected by Mad Mats + Tooli, I'd say the Local Talk label truly represents the new sound of house, encapsulating every new trend, fashionable genre and cliche, mixing it up into an incredible, captivating, warm and wonderful frenzy. And all with the most sublime production values.

Check out HNNY's 'For The Very First Time', Dirtytwo's Midas Touch Version, and find out why they continue to be the deep house label du jour.

'Talking House Volume 2' is out via Local Talk on 14th June. | thelocaltalk.se

Various Artists - The Soul Revolution 3 (Soulab)

It's no secret that I'm an enormous fan of the Soulab label over in France. Consistently dishing out incredible quality nu-funk and soul, it was with enormous anticipation that I saw 'The Soul Revolution 3' drop into my Inbox this week.

Featuring all the usual suspects, including Weeland and The Urban Soul Collective, Soul Motion Replay, Isaac Aesili and Uptown Funk Empire, this album delivers. The selection sees the label reaching out into slightly new territory, with a bit more of an electronic, housey edge. Regardless, this compilation is another flawless example of a soul label at the very top of its game. Think the kind of output Naked Music was putting out back in the late-90s, and you're there.

Check Isaac Aesili's 'Freedom Cry' below - one of my favourite cuts from the album from one of my favourite labels - Project: Mooncircle.

What's interesting is the inclusion of tracks from JetTricks and Mr. Confuse; only this week I had a rather enormous package through the post from Légère Records in Hamburg - the home of these two artists, so I was already chugging through their back cat before receiving this. I guess that's what finding a great label is all about - you find yourself on a practically identical wavelength in both music and time.

Anyhow, expect super-soulful cuts aplenty on this album in a multitude of styles and forms. If you're into uplifting, dance-orientated nu-soul, you won't go wrong.

'Soul Revolution 3' is out now via Soulab and you can purchase via Juno Download here. | soulab.com

Various Artists - Ouroboros (Innovative Leisure)

Happy Easter y'all! I've awoken to another slight hangover here at Crescent Head on the coast of eastern Australia, but have found solace in the one album I have actually purchased this month - and believe me there's a very good reason why.

Ouroboros is, according to Wikipedia, an ancient symbol depicting a serpent or dragon eating its own tail. And so lays the foundation for Innovative Leisure's 2012 compilation of the same name, with a clear musical context, as quoted on their website:

“The Ouroboros often represents self-reflexivity or cyclicality, especially in the sense of something constantly re-creating itself, the eternal return, and other things perceived as cycles that begin anew as soon as they end. It can also represent the idea of primordial unity related to something existing in or persisting from the beginning with such force or qualities it cannot be extinguished.”

Whilst I missed it first time around, 'Ouroboros' is a compilation of some of the best electronic dance I've heard in ages. Featuring SLL faves such as Machinedrum and Sweatson Klank, the album is a mash of addictive deep techy beats, pads and atmospherics - a true soundscape of an album - a true reinvention. It's hard to pick the sound as it feels so fresh, but think Freerange, Luomo and you're in the ballpark. On heavy rotation. Go buy!

'Ouroboros' is out now. | innovativeleisure.net

Various Artists: Cloud Watching Volume 1 (Riddim Fruit)

Again I'm overjoyed to announce another new label tie-up for the blog - this time with the Riddim Fruit imprint based in Devon, UK. Typically a region famed for its glorious range of dairy products, this relatively new label has been churning out its own unique brand of soul food since 2010.

With a discography focussed on sun-drenched West Coast-inspired beats and downtempo, the best bit is not just the amazing quality of the music, but also that they've started putting out compilation albums of their material completely free. 

'Cloud Watching Volume 1' is an incredible mash of lo fi hip-hop, broken beat and dub, with funk-filled cuts and captivating melody at the heart of every track. Such an incredible soundclash is a result of the label looking to artists right across the globe to source its material, with the resulting sound something really very special. Personal faves on the album have to be 'Humble Love' by Kalamari Beats and Kill Emi's 'Don't Love With Hatred'. 

I tip these guys for very big things, so be sure to get your download on and check their back cat too. Oh, and there's a Volume 2 of 'Cloud Watching' as well which I'm really looking forward to getting round to.

Cloud Watching Volume 1 is out now as a free download [here] or via Bandcamp above. | riddimfruitrecords.co.uk

Various Artists - Sonic Boom Vol. 3 (Giant Step)

I only found out last week that those cheeky music pushers over at Giant Step have been releasing some amazing free soul compilations since last year. The latest installment is in the shape of 'Sonic Boom Vol. 3' and the quality of the content is exactly what you'd expect from one of the best nu soul sites out there.

Smooth, infectious beats, incredible sampling work and flawless vocals are aplenty on this 12-tracker, with my favourite cuts including a wicked cover of Frank Ocean's 'Pyramids' and the uber-funky 'I-69' by a new name to me - Roman GianArthur (check it out on this week's Podcast).

Maybe I'm showing my age but it still feels somehow wrong to be able to grab such amazing music for free, particularly when I used to spend around £10 a piece for singles of this quality on vinyl. Either way, that's progress I guess, and it's sounds sweet!