C-Rayz Waltz - Ravipops (2003)

While he touches upon the same socially conscious topics labelmate Mr. Lif
[1] does, C-Rayz Walz comes from a refreshingly more personal and humble
angle. Family, home life, and the day-to-day struggle are topics that show up
on /Ravipops/, an album title that represents Walz's status as father to the
newborn Ravi and a new alias for the rapper. A corrupt and oppressive world
has often been a topic for underground rap; seeing it through the less
self-centered eyes of a father is what gives the album its allure and makes
Walz seem all the more genuine. Don't think Walz has bought his Cosby [2]
sweater and clamped down. He boasts, sings the praises of weed, and cusses
all over the album, and his distaste for the status quo is obvious.

[1] http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:jnfqxq9jld0e
[2] http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:0ifrxq95ldhe

The Cool Kids - Bake Sale (2008)

Despite reams of online hype and commercial anticipation, the release of the
Cool Kids' debut EP still radiated sonic excitement, a blast at once sharp,
funny, and intimate. Here, after all, is a triumph of absolute aestheticism.
The name fulfills itself, not just in that these kids do seem pretty cool
(all 16-bit name-drops and shoe talk), but because musically each moment
— each immaculately chosen drum hit, each spare sci-fi sonic
embellishment, each depth-charge punch line — is precision-placed for
maximum efficacy. Which is to say, though the point may be a bit moot,
maximum coolness.

James White & The Blacks - Off White (1979)

For /Off White/, *James Chance*, a veteran of New York's avant-garde no wave
scene, recast his seminal band *the Contortions* as a parody of a soul band,
albeit one incorporating the rhythms of disco and funk rather than R&B. Thus,
Chance became James White (as a nod to James Brown), the Contortions became
the Blacks, and his music, previously a twisted, experimental brand of
avant-jazz, became a disco/funk/free jazz hybrid. As bizarre as the fusion of
*Albert Ayler* and *Giorgio Moroder* might sound, /Off White/ works primarily
because Chance commits to both sides of the music. The disco rhythms,
especially on /"Almost Black, Pt./

VA - Buenos Aires Late (2008)

In lieu of a post card, here's a little musical greeting from my current
place of residence, Buenos Aires. This compilation by Random Records
features the usual suspects of the vibrant electronic tango scene, Gotan
Project, Tanghetto, and Otros Aires, as well as some more unusual remixes.
While electronic tango as a genre has become more accesible over the years
and moved from the clubs to background music in restaurants and clothing
boutiques (similar to the Nouvelle Vague phenomenon), this heavily remixed
compilation has some bite to it and is thoroughly grounded in dub.
Recommended not just for newcomers to the genre, but also those who enjoyed
the early Gotan Project remixes and have been left disappointed by the
watered down releases since.