Although he's probably most associated with the IRMA imprint, nu-jazz mainstay Nicola Conte has also enjoyed a long and prosperous relationship with Joe Davis' Brazilian-focused Far Out Recordings imprint. Umoja, the bandleader/producer/guitarist's latest solo album, naturally features some nods to samba-jazz and bossa-nova (the latter being a style he explored a lot in the 90s and noughties), but also nods aplenty to 70s independent spiritual and free-jazz', cosmic jazz, Afrobeat, jazz-funk and obscure private press soul releases. Laden with fine lead vocals, incredible musicianship and lusciously warming grooves, it's a retro-futurist set that just screams 'proper summer listening'. Don't sleep!