artist: Kosma country of origin: Germany style(s): Nu jazz, lounge, hip hop essential releases: New Aspects (2005, Infracom)

Back in the 70's jazz fusion had a not wholly undeserved reputation for tunelessness, bombast and horrible self indulgence. In the 90's and beyond, nu jazz acts like Jazzanova have redefined eclectic jazz with the help of hip hop and electronica, creating something more accessible without sacrificing intelligence or innovation.

As a member of Jazzanova the German DJ-composer Roskow Kretchsmann aka Kosma comes with impeccable credentials in the genre and this, his third and best solo album, is really quite stunning. New Aspects is broad and globetrotting but in a very different way to the world music fusions that many chill fans would be familiar with. Only a hip hop enthusiast could create such thick, meaty beats as heard here, upon which he builds a variety of tunes, grooves and improvised detours. Due in large part to his brilliant drum programming/playing/sampling this is a downtempo album with enormous weight: the physical undertow of the music and sheer density of the drum sounds is nearly overwhelming at times. Forget the lightweight compilations you often find filed under nu jazz: this is the real thing.

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