Daniel Thouin -- Organique (Effendi/SRI) A very impressive debut--this is a pianist to keep an ear on. 8 (LD)

Ranee Lee -- Dark Divas (Justin Time/Fusion III) A double CD preview of a stage show that's coming to the Jazz Fest, put together by Ms. Lee, saluting seven distinctive singers. 7.5 (LD)

Thrones s/t (Kill Rock Stars) A bizarre crossbreed of Cows and Melvins. Music made by sociopaths--how could you go wrong? 8 (JC)

Blackalicious -- A2G EP (Mo'Wax/Select) Chief Xcel, Gift of Gab, Cut Chemist, DJ Shadow, Lateef all gettin' stupid the best way they know how. 8 (SC)

Alkaline -- Extralonglife (Universal) Alkaline does dub-reggae mixes of Big Sugar tunes. And Gordie Johnson could be doing worse things with his music. 7 (CY)

Jean Smith -- self-titled (Kill Rock Stars) And you thought Mecca was Normal for the original riot grrrl. An ambient 2 Foot Flame that'll burn yer ass. 7 (CY)

Weights and Measures s/t (Matlock) Get out the abacus and pocket protectors, this is instrumental math rock to do your taxes to. 7 (JC) At Barfly on Fri., June 9

The Hippos -- Heads Are Gonna Roll (Interscope) Utterly nerdy, synth-infused rock-ska blips. Mandatory cover song: "There's Always Something There to Remind Me" (of the '80s). 6 (RB)

DJ Empire Presents: A Tribute to Giorgio Moroder (BMG) The master synth pimp's disco and cinematic successes, remixed by global house royalty (Tenaglia, Westbam, Terry). Eurotrash overdrive! 5 (RB)

a-ha -- Minor Earth/Major Sky (WEA) Minor artists/Major flop. Do not "take on them." 3 (CY)

Full length reviews...