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Excalceolators Eternal Good Foot (BubbleOne/Page)
Outkast II Aquemini (LeFace/BMG) The brothers who spearheaded the Southern sound have upped the stake once again, bravely pushing the boundaries of hip hop as we know it. Always teetering on the line between eclectic musicality and beat innovation, Dre and Big Boi are more interested in shaking things up than becoming predictable in any way. They're joined by Goodie Mob, Raekwon, Witchdoctor, George Clinton and Erykah Badu, who help to make the ride all the more enjoyable. I would call this a little bolder than their last effort, but not quite as tight. Atlanta still represents the art of storytelling like no other, though. 7/10 (Scott C) Johnny L Magnetic (XL/Koch) All drum & bass should sound this sexy. Johnny L has established himself among the ranks of the Grooveriders, Opticals and Roni Sizes of this era, with an album of seriously funky metallic beats, mutant basslines and soulful vocals, the latter supplied in part by Lady Kier (Deee-Lite). This album takes you deep into the jungle, on a safari into regions few have visited before. 8.5/10 (Krista) Tony Rich Project Birdseye (BMG)
François Richard Coincidence (DSM/Unidisc) The flute in jazz dates back to Alberto Soccaras in the '20s, followed by Wayman Carver in the '30s. It made a comeback in the '50s, beginning with Sam Most, after which its use was no longer a rarity. This is a superb debut CD by Montrealer Richard, who plays flute (and alto flute) here, with controlled passion, ably supported, in a set of seven originals, by a free-thinking trio of Jean Beaudet, Frederic Alarie and Pierre Tanguay. 8.5/10 (Len Dobbin) Duo Alba Viva España (Atma) The guitar, a Moorish import into Spain, has remained that country's favourite instrument. Duo Alba perform music by some of Spain's most prominent composers, and the two guitarists demonstrate that they are masters of their instruments, capable of evoking the most subtle nuances of Spanish music. 8.5/10 (Wolfgang Bottenberg)
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You can call this Toronto-based outfit jazz-tronica (as opposed to "jazzy" drum & bass). Equal parts fanciful, funky and frightening, deliriously dub-damaged by King Cobb Steelie's Nick Holmes. It's tough to get a fix on where these soundscapes are coming from/going to, though. You're better off holding your breath and immersing yourself completely. 7.5/10 (Rupert Bottenberg) At Jello Bar, Sunday, Oct. 25, 10pm
No doubt about it, Tony Rich aspires to be a superior lyricist. His new set gives him room to hone that talent, though it's clear he hasn't reached his plateau. Instead, he seems to be trying too hard to find that meaningful/clever/thoughtful lyric, rather than let the process fulfill itself. The result? An uneven set. But where Rich does find his elusive scintillating lyric, as with the astute "My Stomach Hurts," is where Birdseye actually hits the mark. 7/10 (Gerard Dee)