Tash Raplife (Loud/Sony)

Tash just straight up makes me laugh. The most animated member of the Alkaholiks has finally come through with his first solo album. This is not the greatest record in the world, but Tash seems to know that, and has fun with what there is. The rest of the Likwit crew is here in the form of J-Ro, E-Swift and Xzibit, along with appearances by Raekwon, Karupt, Outkast and even Ice-T. Tash and his party-rhyme style achieve the level of "party-rhyme-genius" if there is such a thing. Props for the skit featuring a phone conversation with the one and only Bill Clinton. My only problem was with the M.I.A. Defari. 7 (Scott C)

John Digweed Bedrock (Ultra Records)

I hear the word bedrock and images of Fred Flintstone and Barney Rubble instantly spring to mind. Alas, this CD has nothing to do with slapstick cartoons. Bedrock is the pseudonym of award winning British DJ John Digweed; look up "superstar DJ" in the dictionary and you'll find Digweed's name there, right next to Sasha. Digweed's claim to fame: long sets of pulsating rhythms a la British progressive house. So if that's what you're into, then check out this double CD compilation of trance-inducing dance madness featuring tracks from, among others, Sandra Collins and Farley and Heller. 7.5/10 (Krista)

DJ Disciple New York City: 100% Dance Volume 2: International House Vibes(MDT)

This is just like turning on the radio on a Saturday night and listening without needing to think. This is listening to the radio on Saturday night and wondering if you should go out or not. This is getting ready to go out while listening to the radio. This is listening to the radio in the car on the way to the club. This is listening to the radio happy that no commercials tend to fall into DJ mastermixes. This is just like listening to the radio. So why the hell would you spend your bucks on it when you can spend 'em on something you don't hear every weekend instead? Unless you need to experience Farley and Heller's "Big Love" on digital (although why, I dunno), you're just as well buying a blank, twirling the FM dial and pressing record. 7/10 (Mireille Silcott)

DJ Brian Hardesertrance 3: Son of the Moon (Moonshine)

As long as there is trance, there will be Moonshine records. And thank God for DJ Brian, as he pounds out set after set of ritualistic beats, giving Moonshine a reason to pump out more mix CDs and sending kids all over the U.S. into Sufi-like altered states. Through the synthesis of 303 bass lines, hypnotic sinewaves and ritualistic mad beats, Hardesertrance 3 takes you higher. Oh, and that'll be four dollars for your water please. Rave on. 7/10 (Krista)

Various Land of the Wizard: A Tribute to Ozzy Osbourne (Dwell Records)

A tribute to Ozzy? Why? I don't think we really need to hear a death metal band have a go at "No More Tears," do we? The bands included here bring nothing to the table, except grunting, screeching vocals that further destroy these songs which pretty much sucked in the first place. The humour factor skyrockets when cover band Ion Vein tackle the metal fluff of "Mr. Crowley" and Killswitch do "Steal the Night." Suprising that, having fallen into pathetic self-tribute lately, Mr. Osbourne himself doesn't appear too. 3/10 (Johnson Cummins)

Jesse Ventura and Minnesota Music We Rocked the World (Red White And Blue)

"There was [sic] three or four transvestites sitting next to bikers, and everybody was just having fun," recalls former-professional wrestler Jesse "The Body" Ventura, proudly referring to his Governor of Minnesota inauguration party. Sounds like a blast! We Rocked the World is a concept CD that intersperses various Venturan thoughts with homegrown Minnesota talent (although every song stinks). This is pop culture trash at its pinnacle of pointlessness. But, rallies the bawdy governor, "Keep that hooya spirit!" 5/10 (Adam Gollner)