Jamie Lidell - Compass

Jamie Lidell hasn’t been typically ‘Warp’ (if the label can still be said to possess a core sound these days) since solo debut Muddlin’ Gear: Multiply tempered its electronics with smooth soul licks, while 2008’s Jim was a Stax-channelling rock ‘n’ soul retro-riot. But halfway through Compass opener Completely Exposed – all muffled bass and modem dialler-pips – a sea-change suggests itself.

A point chalked up to innovation isn’t always a point for enjoyment, however: the cut-up aural soup can occasionally leave the plastic-soul vocals sounding incongruous and cheap (Jamie Lidl?) where once they aped Otis Redding expertly. But as Compass stays its course, the pieces fall into place, with the final tracks holding the aces: Gypsy Blood’s TV On The Radio-style fuzzy funk, Coma Chameleon’s midnight blues, the Feist and Beck-featuring Big Drift and You See My Light’s aching gospel together burn brightest amongst Lidell’s tweaked take on his neo-soul formula. [Chris Buckle]