Latest releases reviewed

SA-RA
The Hollywood Recordings
Baby Grande
***

Om'Mas Keith, Taz Arnold, and Shafiq Husayn are the Sa-Ra Creative Partners, the boys to call if you want to give your hip-hop cut or banger a touch of soul. Their collective client list is a heavy-duty one counting Dr Dre, Jurassic 5, Erykah Badu, Jill Scott, Common and dozens more. What you get with Sa-Ra is a sound that is loose, cosmic and suave, tipping the cap as much to vintage hip-hop's bounce as to classic soul's sweetness. The Hollywood Recordings sees them utilising a bunch of fine vocalists and MCs (Erykah Badu and the mighty Georgia Anne Muldrow are outstanding on Fly Away, while the late great J Dilla brings grit and star quality to Thrilla) to make the most of their sultry melodies and rhythms. It's a combination that ensures that this is an album rich in psychedelic funk, boho soul and slow-motion electronica. www.sa-ramusic.com

Download tracks: Fly Away, Thrilla