The ‘Tru Thoughts 2022’ compilation, plus TT2022 T-shirt

“When compiling our end of year release, it always gives me a chance to look back over the year we’ve had at Tru Thoughts and the artists we’ve worked with. We are an eclectic label, which reflects my own personal taste in music. In an era with a vast amount of music available, I always feel these compilations are a good way to remind people of the quality releases from the last 12 months. In a world after lockdown and with the UK music industry still dealing with the negative consequences of Brexit, this compilation highlights the creative strength and power of the artists on the Tru Thoughts roster; and, I feel, the wider world of artists and labels too” Robert Luis

Highlighted as the compilation’s focus track, ‘Tru Thoughts 2022’ features “The Sky Sings feat. Layla Moallem, Jasmin Moallem & KerenDun (Obas Nenor’s Dub) (Radio Edit)”; an exclusive edit of the hugely celebrated dub taken from Sefi Zisling’s “Welcome Sunset” EP. Renowned for creating music using a unique blend of rare vintage instruments and sounds, Tel Aviv producer and DJ Obas Nenor condenses the hypnotic groove of his original 11-minute remix into an impeccable radio edit. As Robert Luis adds, “it has been going down well in many DJ sets (including my own), but on this compilation we have a nice edit of the remix to highlight the vibe of the song”.

‘Tru Thoughts 2022’ boasts an incredible selection of burgeoning talent who have signed to Tru Thoughts this year. The debut single from Bristol-based producer, multi-instrumentalist, artist, and songwriter Slowe sits alongside the surreal and experimental sounds of Sharky’s smutty love song “Shark”, taken from her album ‘People Are Strange’. Glasgow-based musician, producer, DJ and curator Rebecca Vasmant works with Nadya Albertsson on “Broken Biscuits” taken from her “Dance Yourself Free” EP. Renowned songstress Karolina collaborates with Jenny Penkin on “Ready For Juju” (taken from ‘All Rivers’) and London-based Irish producer Cian McCaan AKA Zero T introduces his new alias – Bruk Rogers – on “LDN 133” and revisits his Zero T DnB sound on his remix of Nottingham Soul duo MELONYX’s “Energy”.

Amongst these debut releases and new signings sit offerings from established members of the Tru Thoughts roster. LA-based trio Moonchild present “Tell Him feat. Lalah Hathaway”, as previously featured on the BBC 6Music playlist, taken from ‘Starfruit’. Released at the beginning of 2022, the LP received international praise from the likes of Pitchfork, Exclaim!, NME, NPR, Billboard and more. Duos Nikitch & Kuna Maze and Rabii Harnoune & V.B.Kühl showcase their respective Bruk-Jazz and Moroccan Gnawa-Electronic fusion sounds on their sophomore albums, while Hidden Orchestra revisit ‘Archipelago’ on its tenth anniversary with the special ‘Archipelago: Source Materials’.

The collaborative spirit of Tru Thoughts continues to bubble through ‘Tru Thoughts 2022’. Producer, multi-instrumentalist, arranger, and composer Sly5thAve celebrates the spirit of Mexico City with pianist and producer Roberto Verástegui on “Agua de Jamaica” and the intersection of Jazz and Hip Hop with MC JSWISS on “Somebody’s Gotta Do It”. West London’s producer, DJ and Broken Beat revivalist WheelUP teams up More Time Records co-founder Sam Interface on collaborative riddim “Copacetic”; Future Soul and Electronica duo Anushka offer up “4AM” – an iconic project with Kraftwerk’s legendary Wolfgang Flür; and Brighton-based Jazz quintet Ebi Soda work with Yazz Ahmed on “Chandler”.

Remixes are plentiful with Gilles Peterson and Jean-Paul “Bluey” Maunick AKA STR4TA bringing their iconic Brit-funk style to Anushka’s “Bad Weather”, while the prolific and widely praised Shy One homes in on Aurora Dee Raynes’ “Good For You”. Broken Beat touches come from Bugz in the Attic member Daz-I-Kue delivering an anthemic remix of WheelUP’s “Fusion” and producer and multi-instrumentalist Hemai putting his own signature blend of live instrumentation and Bruk-heavy flavour on label-mate Sly5thAve’s “C-Side feat. Denitia”. Demonstrating the eclecticism of the label, further remixes come from Hinako Omori (Anchorsong) and Renegates of Jazz (sUb_modU).

Listen / Stream now via https://truthoughts.ffm.to/tt2022.OWE