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Palto Flats & WRWTFWW Records were responsible for the re-release of one of the most sought-after and influential pieces of Japanese minimalism – the first solo LP from Midori Takada ‘Through the Looking Glass”, originally released in 1983 by RCA Japan. The precise use of traditional percussive instrumentation elevated the LP into the premiership of minimalism along with the works of Steve Reich, Le Monte Young, Philip Glass and Terry Riley. Directly lifted from the original studio reels, this re-issue was made available as a single 33rpm LP and a limited 45rpm DLP.

Life Styles of the Laptop Café needs very little introduction – since its release in 2001 the album has attained a legendary status and has become woven into the narrative of electronic music. Crafted by one half of Drexciya, the allusive James Stinson, and released on Warp – the album is a musical representation of modern love and connection. Finding an affordable original copy now is a demanding feat with dizzying re-sell prices –the reissue of this highly celebrated album 15 years had been a fantasy for numerous electronic aficionados until now.

While the late 90s saw an increasingly unimaginative approach to disco-sampling House music, Morgan Geist and Darshan Desrani took it upon themselves to take an exhausted genre in a new, deeper direction, focusing on digitally recording live instrumentation, influenced by disco but with a distinctly chilled/lounge sound. The initial album compiled the four 12"s together and thankfully this new anniversary edition includes extra tracks left off those first versions in a deluxe triple LP set with original sleeve art. A timeless album given the perfect reissue treatment.

Mike Golding and Steve Rutter AKA B12 are key figures within the early 90s UK electronic scene, Electro Soma has since been described as one of the most distinctive albums of this period. Inspired by the UK pirate radio scene and the prowess of Detroit Techno, B12 have inspired generations of electronic artists to push their work to its conceptual boundary. As original signees to the warp label this reissue has created some serious waves!

Alice Coltrane was a legendary pianist, composer, spiritual leader, and the wife of John Coltrane, the most honoured and important saxophonist in the history of Jazz. Following the death of John Coltrane to liver cancer, Alice was knocked into a spiral of increasingly poor health. Seeking refuge in Hindu faith and culture, this LP is a combination of traditional Indian music and the gospel music that surrounded her upbringing in Detroit.

Noir Et Blanc is truly a musical oddity that exists equidistance between the genres of afro and electro. Electronic producer CY1, Congolese vocalist Bony Biyake and French composer Hector Zazou are the key authorities behind the track which has now been re-released on Crammed Discs. With a clear vision of being conceptually forward looking, the record departs stylistically from much of the up-beat and rhythmic afro releases of the 1980s. Noir et Blanc sounds as incredibly out of this world now as it did then.

Loop-Finding-Jazz Records was originally released in 2001 on the now non-operational ~scape label, sculpted short Jazz samples into incredibly well-balanced and layered minimal leftfield-techno. The reissue is a testament to how Jan Jelinek’s seminal work has etched its way into historical fabric of minimal music.

Elements is an extensive four-track album led by saxophonist Joe Henderson. The album which is of an interminable and transcendental nature is a project that features Michael White (Violin), Charlie Haben (Bass), Kenneth Nash (Percussion) and Baba Duru Oshan (Drums). Often incorporating non-western motifs, the album is representative of the embracing nature of 1970s Jazz.

If we had a value for money chart this one may have hit number one! Two discs and four sides of disco edits like you have never heard them before. With thumping kicks and heavy distortion, these sound HEAVY on a club system and sound closer to techno than they do to disco. Ruff Disco Volume One was first released in 1992 by Milo Johnson AKA DJ Nature / Natureboy and is regarded as an underground classic. The reissue is the first on a new label, 'Frame Of Mind', spearheaded by Gert-Van Bijl. The label is definitely one to watch and had a stream of solid reissues this year. Highlights include a reissue of Gerd's 'It's Thinking - Afterglow' and an EP of collected tracks from King of Street Soul Toyin Agbetu.

Released on Impulse! in 1970, The Awakening is a hugely prominent album by pianist Ahmad Jamal which was backed by Jamil Nasser (Bass) and Frank Gant (Drums). The Awakening is not only a seminal Jazz album but it has had far reaching influence within the hip-hop world. DJ Premier, Shadez of Brooklyn, Jeru the Damaja and Nas have all sampled elements from this classic album. Be With Records on the re-release!

The 300th release on Tresor Records and the 20th anniversary of the Scopex imprint marked a rerelease of three essential Scopex records; Simulant – Simm City, Simulant – Out of Ether and Pollon – Electratech and the previously unreleased ‘Original Flow’. Essential.

The first track on Maria Rita's 'Brasileira' has been turning heads for many a year but its rarity meant only the lucky or those willing to shell out an eye-watering amount of money could get their hands on it. That track is 'Cântico Brasileiro No.3 (Kamaiurá)' and it has been getting more and more exposure through DJs such as John Gomez, Tako, Pender Street Steppers and Optimo in recent times. Thankfully, the latter alongside Selvagem launched Selva Discos and this magical piece of music is within reach of all. There are other fantastic pieces on the record too, such as 'Lamento Africano/Rictus' and 'A Cicade' but it's 'Kamaiura' that undoubtedly steals the show.

We've included this one favourite to highlight all the recent Peacefrong Moodymann reissues. Also check out 'Mahogany Brown' and the single 'Dont You Want My Love'. Forevernevermore is the third album by Kenny Dixon Jnr and arguably his most esteemed. The LP toys with so many emotions and styles from classic Detroit house to down tempo jazz beats resulting in a soulful full length that transcends categorisation. Including classics such as ‘Don’t You Want My Love’ and ‘The Thief That Stole My Bad Days’ this repress from Peacefrog continues the legacy of this astonishing record.

This is Marijata is one of the most in demand and electrifying Afro-funk albums since its release in 1976. A three-piece comprised of Kofi Addison (Drums), Bob Fischland (Organ) and Nat Osmanu (Guitar) who re-instated a sense of freshness and power into the Ghanaian musical landscape. “I Walk Alone” is a solemn and gritty track, whereas ‘We Live in Peace” and “No Condition Is Permanent” lean to a more experimental funk style of production. Music for the soul.

Another Yasuaki Shimizu record, this time ‘Music for Commercials’ – an abstract assortment of short pieces which were initially made for Japanese Commercials hence the track titles ‘Honda’, ‘Seiko’ and ‘Sharp’ and their short running length. Attaining a near mythical status, Music Commercials has been warranted a well-received reissue on Crammed Discs.

Cocktail D’Amore unearthed this unclassifiable and deeply poignant album ‘Musica Para el Fin De Los Cantos” by Ukrainian multi-disciplinary Iury Lech. Ethereal in nature and never rushed, this minimal style LP is regarded as Lech’s magnum opus which is stylistically way before its time.

RVNG Intl. continue to uncover more gems from the often derided late 70s/early 80s new age scene, this time focusing on Pauline Anna Strom's unique inner space music. Pauline released a string of 7 albums in the 80s on both vinyl and cassette, with RVNG selecting the most exemplary passages for it's deluxe double LP collection. A refreshingly unique take on the ambient/sound which is well worth discovering today.

Using the original master reels at Emil Berliner Studios – this is the first ever official vinyl release of the soundtrack from Mamoru Oshii’s legendary science fiction anime film ‘Ghost In The Shell’.

Kakashi is one of the most intriguing releases from the Japanese composer, producer and saxophonist, Yasuaki Shimizu. Tracks such as “Umi No Ue Kara” are mellow and unrushed, whilst “Utsukushiki Tennen” and “Suiren” are Jazz and vocal driven peculiarities. Another immense reissue by Palto Flats & WRWTFWW.

'Mice or Cyborg' was the sole LP by Drexciya's James Stinson under the Lab Rat XL moniker. A timeless synthesis of Electro and Techno sounds, littered with a smattering of dissociated vocals and effervescing synths. 'Lab Rat 3' is possibly one of Stinson's finest musical moments and as the last in Drexciya's storm series it's an essential purchase for all fans of James and Gerald's work.