If you were to deconstruct the new album from Ahmed Gallab & co down to a list of its sonic bits and bobs, you'd be missing out on the magic that joins up the dots between the various strands.

You can certainly make out splashes of colour and verve from Gallab's spell as musical director with the Atomic Bomb! Band paying tribute to the work of the late, great Nigerian music-maker William Onyeabor. Similarly, you can discern the swirl of electronic derring-do on previous albums Mars and Mean Love from the one-time drummer with Caribou, Yeasayer and Of Montreal.

What makes Life & Livin' It really hum is the boldness and brightness of Gallab's approach to blending and mingling the throwback funk and soul with wonkier pop and rock shapes. Tracks such as U'huh, Fire and Won't Follow are full of flicks and turns that elevate each track to new and more dizzying heights. The work of a dude fully immersed in the funk. sinkane.com