Various - Wide Angles (Blindside/FatBeats) New De La, Pharoahe Monch, Grap Luva, Mr. Complex and J-Live. Cop this with the quickness. 8.5 (SC)

Thuryn von Pranke - What's Up? (Effendi/SRI) An impressive debut from a local pianist worth keeping an ear on. 8.5 (LD)

Dean Martin - Hurtin' Country Songs (Capitol/EMI) Whatsamatta, Dino, hit a dry state? Old-style cactus juice martinis for the fillies. 7.5/10 (RB)

Various - Bassic Instinct II (Stereo Deluxe/Fusion III) Chilled-out loungy jazz-hop suitable for the swanky model/cocktail party set. 7 (KE)

Carole King - Pearls/Time Gone By (Valley Entertainment) Little Eva, Grand Funk and Kylie Minogue all made Top 10 with King's "Locomotion" in subsequent decades. And no one wanted a sure hit in the '90s? 7 (CY)

Carole King - Live in '92 (Valley Entertainment) . Sign o' the times: a guest spot by GN'R slinger Slash. 6 (CY)

Carole King - Colour of Your Dreams (Valley Entertainment) Hey, it's January--ya gotta stretch what meager releases are around. 5 (CY)

Life of Agony - 1989-1999 (Roadrunner/Oasis) Their version of Bob Marley's "Redemption Song" is pure agony indeed. 4 (JC)

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