Review: Like its predecessor, 'Urban Grooves 2' takes a deep dive into the vast vaults of IRMA Records, resurfacing with a 30-track set of "urban funk breaks dub hip-hop beats". In practice, that means a mix of head-nodding, slow-motion disco-funk (see the various contributions by hypno-disco king LTJ Xperience), rubbery jazz-funk-goes-dub disco workouts (Vito Lalinga), toe-tapping, sample-heavy instrumental hip-hop (Ice One), Latin-flecked downtempo grooves (Lo Greco Bros and Flow Bop), sumptuous neo-soul (Orange Factory), and wah-wah guitar sporting deep funk (The Smoke Orchestra). Equal parts club-ready and sofa-friendly, 'Urban Grooves 2' is a uniformly entertaining and life-affirming compilation.
Review: Italian duo Micky More & Andy Tee (real names Michele Mingo and Andrea Tonici) team up with Reverendos Of Soul (which is actually Tonici again, alongside Giovanni Ceccati) and vocalist Anduze, who's worked with the likes of Art Of Tones, Satin Jackets and LTJ Experience as well as releasing two albums in his own right. The product of their joint labours is a classic-style soulful/disco houser with an infectious "I'm so devoted to loving you" chorus, Latin-infused percussion and a pleasingly hefty, live-sounding b-line that's surely destined for singalong status on soulful house floors for the rest of the year.