by Ben Hogwood

What’s the story?

The ‘Shapes’ compilation series has been an integral part of Tru Thoughts’ make-up throughout their 24-year history. Robert Luis’ label continues to bring a wide variety of music to the table, and this is the ideal platform on which to showcase it – whether soulful, song-based, cosmopolitan or beat-driven, a flavour of the label is here.

Luis curates the selection, bringing a healthy mixture of label staples, remixes and a few rarities to spice things up.

What’s the music like?

Eclectic and open-minded, as the label themselves describe.

Among the many highlights are a couple of sassy numbers in MELONYX’s Melanin Queens, which is soul music with an edge, and The Sindecut & Ijeoma, whose club mix of Stand Tall is firmly uplifting. The combination hit the jackpot a second time with Different, where multilayered vocals combine with a big screen backdrop.

Meanwhile Running Loving Something contribute the breezy I Love The Feeling, while there are two rather special remixes of Anchorsong – the Salamanda take on Windmills and the Azido 88 Remix of Common Ground, which makes a play of the wordless vocal and broken beat.

Label stalwart Rhi impresses with the close-up intimacy of Craving Your Love, while Luman Child – via the North Street West Vocal Remix – sing out a gospel house treat with Robert Gee in Grateful. Sunny climes are explored by STR4TA in an excellent remix of Anushka’s Bad Weather, while once the sun goes down Bruk Rogers impresses with the nocturnal LDN 313.

Does it all work?

Pretty much. There is such a wide variety of music on show here there is something for everyone – and to be honest there are many more hits than misses.

Is it recommended?

It’s a no-brainer – 2 hours and 40 minutes of the best of a wide-ranging label, available for the cost of a pint of beer. What’s not to love?

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