Jeff Mills Steampit EP (Purpose Maker)

After the somewhat disappointing Our Man in Havana EP, Mills is back in top form with the fifth--and possibly the best--instalment of the Purpose Maker series. This isn't his most groundbreaking material, in fact, a lot of the sounds are recycled from his earlier tracks. But his fusion of minimal techno grooves with old-skool house beats, Latin percussion and even bits of disco (!) works so well I couldn't care less. This one's going to stay in my record box for a LONG time. 10/10 (Mateo)

Copyright Liberation Front: Highly illegal mixed tape of the week!

Buster Caught Speeding

Finally! Montreal's resistance to English speed garage has been strong, but the stuff is starting to trickle in. This is a capital primer, proof that anyone who says "speed garage is all Van Helden ripoffs" hasn't heard all the latest. This tape's a mix of the ruffer, sub-bassy raggage sound (okay, there are some blatant Van Helden ripoffs to be counted) and the Todd Edwards-ish (they rip off from him too, you know) street garage sound. The 4/4 is a steady boom-bitty-boom-bitty and the samples are notoriously samply. Soul-lovers steer clear. Sonic hedonists, come on in. And hurry, before this stuff--bound to be the next handbag house--gets too cheesy for anyone outside Miss Moneypenny's. Available at Tabou. 8/10 (Mireille Silcott)

Joe Henderson Porgy & Bess (Verve/Polygram)

Combine tenor giant Joe Henderson, who lived here in 1959, with the score of Gershwin's Porgy and Bess and you have a winner. As icing on the cake, add Conrad Herwig, John Scofield, Tommy Flanagan, Dave Holland, Jack DeJohnette and newcomer Stefon Harris--not to mention guest spots by Sting and Chaka Khan. Great score, great playing! 9/10 (Len Dobbin)