Ammar Kalia

Music might be the greatest mood enhancer in the world: it's certainly hard to think of another art form that can so effectively tip a feeling of

The prolific playback singer lent her voice to some of Bollywood’s greatest characters

Rather than centring her own virtuosity, British saxophonist and composer Jasmine Myra is placing herself inside the swell of her ensemble and finding that self-doubt and growth are two sides of the same melody, she tells Ammar Kalia.

Pianist Alex Ho and Donovan Haffner's debut duo recording, Serendipity, is a joyous exploration of spontaneous creativity. Recording each of its six originals in only two takes per track, the London-based Tomorrow's Warriors alumni produce a loose yet expansive feel that builds a rich soundworld around the presence of just two instruments. Opening track 'FYBSPG'sets the sprightly tone, with classically-trained Ho building plaintive chord structures around bluesy melodic lines while Haffner's soft alto saxophone tone interjects with increasingly spirited soloing. The pair's interplay is delicate, building dynamically at a similar pace and mirroring each other's phrases, from the intricate, scattergun rhythms of 'Capricious'to the driving groove of'Work In Progress'. Dual takes of'Dusk Over Dystopia', meanwhile, provide an insight into the duo's improvisatory process, with Haffner channelling an earthier and more raw tone on the alternate version while Ho comps through Bill Evans-style languorous phrasing, balancing his partner's energy. Both versions are album highlights, sinking into a mid-tempo groove that allows the pair to trade increasingly frenetic phrases in the gaps between bar structures. While consistent, the record leaves space for greater intensity and more experimental explorations to come. Yet, for a debut, Ho and Haffner present themselves as clearly capable of writing memorable melodies and finding sparks of intuitive, improvisatory brilliance together. It's a pairing that promises much more excellence to come.

The Chilean-German producer’s shapeshifting vocals stir Latin rhythms, ghetto house, trance and more into a playful party

Over the past two decades, Chilean-German vocalist and producer Matías Aguayo's mutable, instinctive singing has been an instantly identifiable ingredient of leftfield electronic music.

In the 1990s, there were hundreds of authentic balti restaurants in the English city. Now, there are about 20. Will a big campaign bring back the boom times?

‘Curry might have come from India, but balti was born in Birmingham,” says Zaf Hussain.