Five highly absorbed months of compiling later and, at last, we have the finest, truest definition of modern soul yet – Soul Love 2014. No effort has been spared in bringing this album together, all corners of the globe scoured over much of last year for 25 contemporary cuts of exquisite groove, musicianship and emotion.

Here they now are, Soul Love 2014 throwing together smooth glides, funky grinds, peppy beat-downs and whipsmart house riffs by everyone from UK scene stalwarts Omar, Caron Wheeler, Tony Momrelle and Don-E to US thoroughbreds Eric Roberson, The Foreign Exchange and Marc Evans via white-hot youngbloods like Portia Monique, Lady, Chris Turner, Eric Lau, Debra Debs and Chaz Shepherd. This collective platform for soul music’s latest generation of stars really delivers sounds on the frontier, and reinforces just how bright the future really is.

Soul Love 2014 tips its hat to the classics but doesn’t dwell on them. This is a project all about moving forward; about distinguishing itself from the overload of compilations treading the same old soul clichés by celebrating a younger, fresher, totally inspiring new line-up of music-makers. Artists like Momrelle and Evans have mileage but theirs is a vibe colliding impeccably smooth, heartfelt vocals with crisp 21st century production – respective offerings Spotlight and Supernatural tell it like it is.

Elsewhere, there are serene female perspectives. Rapidly emerging Brit singer-songwriter Louise Golbey skilfully weaves jazz and urban soul stylings under the dreamy sunshine glow of Comfortable, whilst LA’s Sulpacio Jones drips serious tonsil sass over squelch-funk to die for on Risky and Lady, presenting delish organic jam Money, twirls across old-school brass, guitar and drums with breezy charm.

Add to that seriously smart uptempo grooves from South Africa’s Muzart (The Party After) and Detroit native Lorenzo ‘Zo!’ Ferguson (We Are On The Move, featuring Eric Roberson), sharp beat-led cuts by rated London DJ-producers Eric Lau (Divine, featuring Fatima) and Domu (I’m Left Dreaming, featuring Pete Simpson) – and a bonus mix of the album by the legendary DJ Spinna.

Travelling from London to LA via Philly, Stockholm to Johannesburg and even, surprisingly, the frosty climes of Helsinki (courtesy of talented hip-hop-flecked trio Dolla Lova), Soul Love 2014 is an exhilarating global showcase of what exactly makes modern soul tick, in all its forms. A big-up to the soul heroes of today and tomorrow - the most comprehensive yet compiled – it reflects utterly relevant and energised song-craft able to strike deep at heart and mind.