Description from Amazon.com :

What Operation Ivy is to the latter-day ska revival, Gogol Bordello is to the increasingly popular revival of Eastern European music. Blending gypsy rhythms with the intensity of alternative-rock, metal (and even rap), the group is justly renown for their charged live performances. The title track is a lovely mix of Balkan strings with pleasant screams from lead singer/ shouter Eugene Hutz. If only more of the songs followed its lead. As a whole, the album sounds like Leftie bumper stickers set to vaguely aggro "gypsy rock." "My Strange Uncles from Abroad" makes its political statement in a personal and affecting manner, but other tunes such as "Forces of Victory" are merely affected. It's hard not to agree with their world view or love for the woozy sounds of Eastern Europe. But on this album, GB make the Dead Kennedys seem subtle. And it would be nice if there were more variety to their sound. Perhaps they should collaborate with Beirut, Muzsikas, or Hawk and a Hacksaw next time? --Mike McGonigal

Description from Amazon.com :

The Gotan Project literally took the world by storm in 2003 with its million-selling La Revancha Del Tango. Skillfully mixing the heated passion of tango with the cool insistent beats of dance music, the group kept the best of both genres as it offered up an unheralded fusion. This time around, the production team delves further into the tradition, cutting down on the dub production filigree and overarching electronic programming--now sexy grooves often come on the back of organic beats and an unprocessed sound captured during live studio sessions in Buenos Aires. This new focus is furthered with conventional bandoneon soloing as well as acoustic piano and string section backing. Nonetheless, kids craving to cut a rug will dig "Diferente" and "Notas," while the robust "Amor Porteno" (featuring Calexico) is the group's most muscular tune to date. More skilled than the debut, Lunatico is no sophomore slump, though hardcore house music fans may want to wait for remixes. --Tad Hendrickson

Description from Amazon.com :

As celebrated as Afrika Bambaataa has been, until now his music has remained scattered across disparate collections. That's what makes Looking for the Perfect Beat such a welcome release. Collecting 11 of Bam's sides on one CD, the album neatly summarizes his seminal studio recordings, beginning with both versions of 1980's true-school grail, "Zulu Nation Throwdown," and ending with 1985's "Funk You." The tracks are all restored to their uncut full-length 12-inch mixes. The highly influential Arthur-Baker productions "Planet Rock," "Looking for the Perfect Beat," "Renegades of Funk," and "Frantic Situation" are the main draws here. But don't sleep on "Unity Pt. 1" from 1984's fiery meeting between James Brown and Bam. A completist might wish for "Death Mix," and while a set like this demands liner notes, there are none to be had. But, for now, thank the funk gods the void has been filled. --Jeff Chang

Description from Amazon.com :

After four decades toiling in the record business with little more than a fervent cult following to show for it, Bettye LaVette can seem like soul music's equivalent of Roy Hobbs, protagonist of the bittersweet baseball fable The Natural. Whether this riveting collection of ten covers by an eclectic range of contemporary female singer/songwriters will change the husky-throated Detroit native's fortunes seems irrelevant: Its spare, dusky groove and intensely emotional, in-the-moment performances seem utterly disconnected from concerns as trivial as fame and fashion. A forceful, timely reminder that soul thrives on the singer and not the song, LaVette doesn't so much cover these songs as reinvent them from the inside out, be it the chilling, a capella read of Sinead O'Connor's "I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got" that opens the album, a gritty take of Lucinda Williams' "Joy" where the singer burns with a fire that might make Tina Turner envious or her recasting Dolly Parton's "Little Sparrow" as bluesy omen and "How Am I Different" by Aimee Mann as inviting, r&b shuffle. In a musical era where soulful authenticity and emotional resonance are too often virtual, this album is a delicious dose of the Real Deal. -- Jerry McCulley

Description from Amazon.com :

This is the kind of album that divides fans. On one side, there are the ones that will see the Bay Area hip-hop duo composed of rapper Gift of Gab and producer Chief Xcel taking a logical step forward, recruiting high-profile guests (George Clinton, Floetry) and banking on a more commercial sound with effervescent R&B tracks like "Powers," "World of Vibrations" and "Lotus Flower." Then there are those that will lament the passing of the band's vintage, more meaningful sound. As if the crew was expecting the cynics to turn up to the party, midway through the album dramatically shifts gears--out goes the pop and in comes the soul via "The Fall & Rise of Elliot Brown" and "Black Diamonds & Pearls." You might suspect West Coast conscious rap contemporaries Black Eyed Peas stood at the very same crossroads before they sold their first million. --Aidin Vaziri

Description from Amazon.com :

It's only natural that the Hold Steady singer Craig Finn receives all the attention. After all, he's the one with the big mouth. And while his odd and humorous rants are essentially compelling, they wouldn't be half as engrossing if his backing group, especially fellow ex-Minnesotan and Lifter Puller guitarist Tad Kubler, didn't smack up such a glorious din, scabrous punk rock swagger dolled up with classic hard rock power chords. "Separation Sunday" is the NYC-based group's second album and it's every bit as sassy and city wise as their 2004 debut "Almost Killed Me." Finn doesn't know the meaning of the phrase 'hold your tongue' and rudely shouts down the opposition on a number of romantic and religious matters, underscoring his contempt with touching moments of true pathos. Finn's surrounded by self-mutilators, abused lovers and deluded characters desperately chasing faith. It's a good thing he has such a crack band to keep them all in check. -- Jaan Uhelszki

Description from Amazon.com :

The Gotan Project literally took the world by storm in 2003 with its million-selling La Revancha Del Tango. Skillfully mixing the heated passion of tango with the cool insistent beats of dance music, the group kept the best of both genres as it offered up an unheralded fusion. This time around, the production team delves further into the tradition, cutting down on the dub production filigree and overarching electronic programming--now sexy grooves often come on the back of organic beats and an unprocessed sound captured during live studio sessions in Buenos Aires. This new focus is furthered with conventional bandoneon soloing as well as acoustic piano and string section backing. Nonetheless, kids craving to cut a rug will dig "Diferente" and "Notas," while the robust "Amor Porteno" (featuring Calexico) is the group's most muscular tune to date. More skilled than the debut, Lunatico is no sophomore slump, though hardcore house music fans may want to wait for remixes. --Tad Hendrickson