Kylie Minogue - Boombox remixes

The Bird & The Bee - Ray Guns Are Not Just the Future

Antony and The Johnsons - The Crying Light

Patti Smith-Dream of Life

Vicky Christina Barcelona

Hudson Mohawke - 6X7

Aussitot Mort - Montuenga

Belong - Same Places (Slow Version)

Benoit Pioulard - Temper

True Widow - True Widow

Efterklang - North American Tour EP

Vivian Girls - Vivian Girls

A recent favorite. What's funny is, it had to grow on me a bit. This is rough-around-the-edges, noisy, all-girl punk with pretty harmonies, and lyrics about boys with wild eyes who won't walk next to you on the street. I feel like I could have written every song on here, if I knew how to write such simple, direct, awesome pop songs. Tough and tender, pretty and not - this rules.

Gang Gang Dance - Saint Dymphna

Gang Gang Dance is a group of New York art kids and this is their fourth album and, so it would seem, a pop crossover attempt. It's a mix of tribal sounds and techno beats with a singer who sounds A LOT like Kate Bush when she wants to. Of all the bands on this list, these guys are the real innovators. Music for the future?

Crystal Stilts - Alight of Night

Friends with Vivian Girls, Crystal Stilts shares some similarities, but are spookier, janglier, more atmospheric. I like the singer's bored, kind of flat singing. Lyrically, it's a little dark - with songs about shutting yourself in your room and being scared of the city. They also throw in a surf riff. Oh, and they're obviously Jesus and Mary Chain fans. I had to say it.

Lykke Li - Youth Novels

This one really appeals to the teenage girl in me. Infectious, catchy, feel-good pop from a 22-year-old Swedish former fly girl (watch the videos). Danceable, with heavy use of a wood block. Adorable, yet sassy. Yay!

Wild Combination: A Portrait of Arthur Russell

A sweet, sad portrait of avant garde cellist Arthur Russell, who died of AIDS in 1992. For those unfamiliar with his music, check out the album World of Echo. His songs are mostly wispy, pretty, echoey ballads and are truly unique. The most memorable scenes in this documentary are the wonderful interviews with his parents and boyfriend.

Ivo Papasov - Dance of the Falcon

Hermeto Pascoal e Grupo - Mundo Verde Esperanca

Mauricio Kagel - Acustica

Yomo Toro - La Herencia

Sergey Kuryokhin - Absolutely Great! in California, 1988

DJ Revolution - King of the Decks

Decade-plus "Wake Up Show" DJ deals a fresh hand with his aces sleeved on Boot Camp Clik label Duck Down—which is only coincidentally responsible for three of my five picks. "Deck" is stacked with a bevy of Revolution-produced spinners featuring appearances such as Sean Price, Tash, KRS-One, Guilty Simpson, Bishop Lamont, and a superlative compliment from DJ Premier...basically that Rev cuts like water chestnuts through a woodchipper, son. Bring your own soy sauce.

Special Teamz - Stereotypez

Beantown power trio consisting of Edo G (formerly of Edo G & Da Bulldogs), Jaysaun (formerly of the Kreators), and Slaine (of La Coka Nostra) mashes out over bangers served up by DJ Premier, Pete Rock, Marco Polo, Jake One and others. Three distinct voices and styles are equally showcased throughout Stereotypez, which has more depth than the name alone implies. The title track addresses and refutes racial and cultural stereotypes, while "Race Riot" furthers the point with Edo, Jaysaun, and Slaine recounting their experiences growing up in a racially-segregated Boston (they are Black, Puerto Rican, and White, respectively). Cameos by Ill Bill, Sean Price, Buckshot, and Devin the Dude thicken the stew like cornstarch. Says Slaine, "Damn it Preemo, that's why my fam as we know, it's gully in the streets, yeah we keep it uglier than Janet Reno"...an impressive feat indeed.

John Robinson - I Am Not For Sale

Scienz of Life and Sol Uprising emcee, Shaman Work co-proprietor, and general indie mainstay John Robinson delivers his straightforward not-for-sales pitch atop off-kilter knocks tendered by Flying Lotus, J.Rawls, R.Thentic, Jneiro Jarel, et al. Fat City Recordings also houses producer/emcee Wajeed of Platinum Pied Pipers...cop that shit like so many French crullers...or something.

Jake One - White Van Music

Seattle-bred sonic shot-caller Jake One has been furtively lacing everybody from G-Unit to Gift of Gab to De La Soul with impressive aural assists for seasons. He now lands on the roster that says rhymes to run drills on your earlobes with a team that suffers–or benefits– from dissociative identity disorder: M.O.P., Little Brother, Busta Rhymes, and Slug amongst others. You can decode Doom-isms, field idle threats, and find out how many of your favorite emcees are feeling Casual's shit–as they very well should–all on one shiny disc (if you hold it bottom-up toward a light source). A limited quantity of the album has been released with a bonus instrumental version at no additional cost to the customer which is worth seeking out (CD only).

Heltah Skeltah - D.I.R.T.

Ruckus and Da Rockness Monsta (Sean Price, or Ruck, & Rock respectively) return to their classical fashion–bobbing and weaving furiously atop bits and pieces of Beethoven's "Fur Elise" on the Ill Mind-produced lead single "Everything Is Heltah Skeltah." Aside from suddenly wanting a "dose of fries," you may notice a slight change in frequency, both because of the industry's digital zeitgeist and the relative age of our two caped narrators. While D.I.R.T. notably lacks the macabre cohesion of Nocturnal–which only matters if yer head's up yer ass whilst yer ass is stuck in the 90's–the menacingly charming duo aptly demonstrate through mercilessly ignorant punchlines, hilarious studio outtakes, and one clever acronym why they are in fact Da Incredible Rap Team. The production contributed by Khrysis, Ill Mind, and Marco Polo further animates Ruck & Rock's shenanigans, who appear in high gloss dressed in full superhero regalia on the cover. "Got a mic and my a pimp cup, catch a right from the fist, chump / Leave a non-smoker chokin when lightin this bitch up..." -–Priceless.

tip: "Don't disturb the groove, lest ye incur a wound." - Me, I said that.

visit www.myspace.com/folklorelegend for further information regarding stuff.

(the) Melvins - (A) Senile Animal [4XLP Vinyl Set]

A must have! So killer!

Crank [Blu Ray]

A unrepentant dead man on a mission.  Jason Statham rules.

The Machine Girl

Low production value and creative gore make this direct to video blood bonanza a hit!

Vanishing Point [Blu-Ray]

My favorite '70s muscle car movie. Visit the last American frontier via a Dodge Challenger! Get your road rage on and watch it with Two-Lane Blacktop and Smokey and the Bandit. 

Låt den rätte komma in / Let The Right One In

Best vampire movie in a long time.

The Wire Season 5

I recommend seas 1-4 as well...amaze teev....

Q-Tip - The Renaisance

Tip fine comes back and deliv's a gem from start to end.

Raphael Saadiq - The Way I See It

The best soul alb o da ye...Saadiq channels Motown and regurg's it with a bit o' Bay Flav.

Bored Stiff - The Sad Truth

Legendar Bay crew is back, though not all membs return, the ess mains...

Kanye West - 808's & Heartbreak

Not such a hot listen from start to end, but the hits are undeni...Ye' puts it all out there after losing his lady and his moms....

Large Professor - Main Source

Flyin below the rade, Extra P released Main Source, and blessed us wit what we always spected from him...top notch beats...and cool lyr to boot.

E-40 - Ball Street Journal

While most pref '06's Ghetto Report Card, Ball St. displ 40 at his Lyr best...one-liners for days....

DJ Muggs & Planet Asia - Pain Language

Asia's spit game shines ov Muggs' dark & drear tracks...

Mighty Underdogs - Droppin' Science Fiction

Lateef, Gab, and produce Headnotic collab to create their uniq blend of hip hop...plenty of supe guests add flav...

Planet B-Boy

Planet B-Boy takes you behind the scenes following dancers from all ov the world as they prepare for the "Battle of the Year"..a comp consist of 18 countries..some of the most amaze moves, and intersting stories you'll ev see...

tip: I'm into sports and stats...and highly recommend a book called The Macrophenominal Pro Basketball Almanac by the dudes at Freedarko.com...it has everything you may not have seen on SportsCenter.

Various Artists - Sublime Frequencies

You can still travel the world on your hi-fi with Sublime Frequencies radio and field recordings of earth. they have released thirty four compact discs, five l.p.'s and eight dvd's from all over the world, so far. these are sounds that you have never heard before. i play these all the time. also buy something by the Sun City Girls. you'll be glad you did.

Sharon Jones - How Long 7"

this is the sharon jones vocal with reworked music by tickla. it is a killer rock steady track that takes the song to a new level. priceless. buy this any anything else on daptone records. sharon jones has three lp's out that are essential and they just put out a gospel collection from mississippi. they put out LPs as well as CDs and press almost everything on 45 to boot. modern classics!

polk miller and his old south quartette

don't fail to hear this cd "i think that polk miller and his wonderful four is about the only thing the country can furnish that is originally and utterly American." -Mark Twain in 1892 polk miller created a traveling show of banjo tunes,nostalgic dialect stories and a lecture. without resorting to farce or black-face. these recordings are from 1909 and 1928 and must be heard to be believed.

harry and jeanie west - smoky mountian ballads

have had a copy of this l.p. for years and i usually listen to music of this type from an earlier era. but these two hit the nail on the head with their renditions of classic old time tunes. they accompany themselves with guitar, banjo and mandolin. the harmonies are heavenly. this was newly reissued and i feel that it deserved your attention.

fm3 - buddha machine 2.0

fm3 have done it again. this is part two of their buddha machine. these are boxes made in china with buddist chants that are used for meditation. fm3 made their own version with loops they created. the new one has nine new loops and a pitch shifter so you can tune it or just make it sound wiggily. only for the curious.

raphael saadiq - the way i see it

this record sounds like it was recorded for motown in the sixties. the production is excellent, and the lyrics are hopeful. this record makes me feel good and it will do the same for you. not many artists can pull off this retro sound but this man has done it. avaliable on l.p. and limited edition 45 box set with an exclusive track.

neil hamburger - sings country winners

few comedians can make the transition from comedian to musical entertainer but neil has managed to do it with his country winners LP. he has hired top session musicians for this project and the quality shows through. unlike the "hip" comic of today, neil actually tells jokes, and is funny. something we need more of in this world.

various artists - sprigs of time: 78s from the emi archive

his is the first in a series of 78s from the emi archive. like the "give me love" collection that honest john's put out, every song on this is amazing. unforgettable. the closest thing to time travel yet invented.

lee perry - on-u sound record.

is not out in the states, but i have heard that the new lee perry album is a killer. it was produced with the help of adrian sherwood so you know that means it will be amazing to say the least. two legendary masters of reggae production.

tip: I love making buttons! 1" buttons and magnets: www.potatopotato.etsy.com