Departure Lounge @ The Caves, 21 May

There’s something in the cosmos this month. Perhaps it’s the collective Scottish reaction to a bout of solar illumination, or the anticipation of International Sun Day. Whatever it is, the Departure Lounge (Astroboy, Jiminez & Mr Zimbabwe) have managed to capitalise on the summer party aura, booking DJ Parker and Paper Tiger with vocals from Sabira Jade. The latter work on the notion that eight heads are better than one, making broken beat, dub-friendly reggae that incorporates afrobeat influenced electronics with traditional jazz and soul instruments alike. Splicing all those genres and more is what DJ Parker is famed for. The turntablist maestro is simply a class act. Having scratching skills that would make Yoda or Z-trip stand up to attention, he’s a performer that feeds off a dancing audience. With releases on Fingerlickin’ and now Goodgroove Records his productions merge classic acapellas with modern hip-hop sensibilities. Now, we just have to hope that there’s enough ultraviolet poking through the clouds to do this summer jam justice.