The David Arnold James Bond Project: "Shaken & Stirred" (EastWest)

Best known for his Play Dead collaboration with Bjork, David Arnold has also carved out a reputation as a soundtrack composer of note. No surprise, then, given dance music's ongoing fling with all sounds cinematic, that this series of James Bond theme tune reworkings sees some of the scene's leading lights joining Arnold to add their twist to the 007 suit. Some of the collaborations are near perfect blends of then and now. Moonraker, with Shara Nelson in remarkable form, or We Have All The Time In The World, with Iggy Pop putting on his crooner hat, pitch voice against orchestral swing with pleasing results but the big beat boom of On Her Majesty's Secret Service only highlights the Propellerheads' one trick inadequacies. An uneven mix of Timothy Dalton, Sean Connery and Roger Moore. By Jim Carroll

Gilles Peterson & Norman Jay: "Journeys By DJs" (V2)

A journey to the heart of two monster record collections, this session with Gilles Peterson and Norman Jay is one way of defining free-style. Legendary clubland figures (from Talkin' Loud and That's How It Is to Good Times and High On Hope), Peterson and Jay are specialists in the art of creating boogie-on-down soundtracks which make a lasting contact between the high steps. Peterson joins the dots connecting the Blaze brand of deep house with Roni Size's drum & bass odyssey and a forgotten Rotary Connection rare groove, all done with a jazz sensibility and a very individual style. Jay, on the other hand, digs much deeper into the soul and funk archives, dusting off gems like Watermelon Man by the East Harlem Bus Stop and spinning a bizarre take on Hall & Oates' Maneater. The mix CD for discerning Christmas party hosts. Jim Carroll

Decal: "["]Lo-Lite" (Ultramack)

Lo-Lite is Decal's second album, a collection which appears to indicate that the problems which prohibited them from taking advantage of their debut's success are finally at an end. Decal's strength lies in fusing elements of Detroit techno with a robust flexibility to create either highly experimental pieces of music or sublimely fluid grooves. Self-Storage sits on top of a harsh jungle bassline, yet the beats which are scattered around sound like a masterly collaboration between Surgeon and Underground Resistance. Phunk City and Snakehips are far more accessible structures, pushing Decal into deep if minimal house territory, while Iona and Camoflage, with their atmospheric stabs and rubs, represent Decal in downbeat mode. Challenging and belligerent by turns, Lo-Lite deserves to be more than just music for the underground. By Jim Carroll