(Jam/Shock)

Now up to its fourth release, the Hemmesphere series has expanded to include a second CD mixed by San Francisco DJ Andy Caldwell. Compiled to celebrate summer, the soulful beats and lounge sounds of the first disc are delightfully complemented by the more upbeat sound of the second mixed disc.

The tracks on the first disc have been compiled by the whole crew behind Hemmesphere, as “a labour of love.” This unmixed selection aims to capture the true essence of Hemmesphere, with tracks included ranging from the more obscure to undisputed classics. Some of the tracks that fall into the latter category are the classic old-school funk of Plantlife’s Stardancer and Beth Orton’s chilled out Central Reservation, although the more upbeat Spiritual Life Ibadan Mix is included. De La Soul offers up some hip-hop in the form of All Good?, featuring Chaka Khan on vocals, while the Bob Beldon Project featuring Jimi Tunnell cover Prince’s Kiss. More soulful vocals are included from Alicia Keys (Dragon Days) and Alice Russell (Hurry On Now), while the sound is more nujazz on tracks such as Soular Sound’s Things We Do. Soul II Soul’s funky and catchy Back To Life brings the disc to a close.

DJ and producer Andy Caldwell has recorded for such labels as OM and Naked Music, originally discovering jazzy house grooves in his influential outfit Soulstice. Known for his smooth and sultry house sets, his mix is a great upbeat complement to the first disc. The mix starts off with a pair of Andy’s own productions. The Stars features Latrice Barnett, who recently performed in Sydney, while Gina Rene provides the vocals on the deep grooves of Brand New Day. Next up is the 4tothefloor mix of Melburnian Simon Grey’s The Galactica Suite, featuring the stand out vocals of soul singer Abby Joyce. Two tracks from m.o.d. are featured in the mix. First up is the jazzy beats of Moonshine, while later on they present The Latin Tribe on Samba Latin. Another inclusion is the Raven Dub’s mix of Secret Sound’s disco-tinged Come Back Home.

An excellent slightly-chilled compilation for the summer months ahead, hemmesphere four excels by focusing on quality rather than the latest releases.