New releases this week: All genres

Review: When it comes to genuinely open-minded and hard-to-pigeonhole Balearic fare, Alex Storrer AKA Lexx remains one of the best in the business. That much is proved by the producer's fourth artist album in six years, the gorgeous and languid Rhythm of Love. Unlike its predecessor, which saw Storrer explore instrumental pastures, Rhythm Of Love is a far more soul-flecked and vocal-heavy affair, with guest singers Laura Quinn, Stimulator Jones and Ella Thompson all making their presence felt across the album. Across 12 gorgeous tracks, Storrer and co sashay between sun-soaked, head-nodding soul ('Special'), lovers rock-inspired synth-soul ('Right By Your Side'), warm dancefloor adjacent sweetness ('Cherish'), reggae-soul ('Rhythm of Love'), organic deep house ('Far Away') and gorgeous ambient soundscapes ('Guiding Star'). As impeccable as you'd expect.

Review: Mixed by Japanese producer and DJ Muro, who has a background in hip-hop, this connoisseur is never short on deep cuts and takes us on a journey through soulful, vintage AOR sonics from his home country. Whilst no two tracks are by the same artist, there's a cohesion to the tracklist thanks to Muro's ear in pulling out things that sit so well together. Asakawa Mak's 1988 cut 'American Night' is a smooth nod to sophisti pop greats Prefab Sprout; whilst Seri Ishikawa's elegant and lush number, 'Eternal 1/2', highlights how innovative she was in forging new sounds back in 1985. These two cuts are just the tip of the iceberg, yet this compilation is an ideal entry point to some of the finest Japanese music of the late 20th century. You can bank on Muro delivering the goods.