Always finding fresh angles on familiar sounds, Eric Lau stands out with his productions that are equally indebted to hip hop and soul. His latest album, billed as the follow-up to last year’s Examples, makes a virtue of being straightforward. Examples Volume Two is a reminder of the pleasures that can come when simple ideas are masterfully executed. It’s another 28-track beats opus reflecting an array of inspirations taken from hip hop, jazz, funk, soul or Brazilian instrumentals.

A mixdown perfectionist, his services have been drafted into service on a number of incredible projects over the past few years. It is also through these recent collaborations (with the likes of Yussef Kamaal, Mansur Brown, DJ Jazzy Jeff or Kaidi Tatham) that we have a few unique ingredients peppered through this project. A photo of the man himself adorns the cover — side-on, like the previous installment, but this time lit by a deep blue instead of the latin yellow that marked the first volume of this beat series. The tracks both volumes contain follow a simple format: short and sharp hip-hop instrumentals, delivered in a steady, digestible stream.

Released by First Word Records, the latest set of Examples is available on all digital services and vinyl, as well as two limited special editions: a blue vinyl version and a cassette containing both volumes. Essential music for your mind, body and soul.