Album: Kings Go Forth, The Outsiders Are Back (Luaka Bop)

A large and diverse "soul" agglomeration of dudes in Milwaukee, delving into the rhythm and texture of pre-disco R&B. Curtis Mayfield is the most obvious influence, not least for the percussive grooves and floaty falsetto lead voice.

But there are other nods, to Philly and Motown as well as to the Caribbean – sometimes they sound like the Mighty Diamonds harmonising on a Detroit street corner in 1971. One shortfall, though. For all their charm and energy, they don't have a killer song. The drummer could use a chill pill too.