Richard Gagnon A Coeur ouvert (RG/Independent) A toe-tapping outing from an excellent local trombonist--straight ahead! 8.5 (LD)

Otis Taylor White African (Northern Blues) Otis's unique style takes acoustic blues to the next level. 8 (JC)

Eric Burdon Absolutely the Best (Fuel 2000/True North) A dozen ditties to which the "longhaired, overfed, leaping gnome" lent his Brit-trash blues howl. 7.5 (RB)

Arlo Up High in the Night (Sub Pop/Sonic Unyon) Arlo does everything Pop Rocks candies are supposed to do--taste sweet and inflict pain. 7.5 (JC)

DJ Clue The Professional 2 (Rock-A-Fella/Universal) Here comes DJ 'Get a Clue' with another batch of clubby shit for the kids. 6 (SC)

Vintersorg Cosmic Genesis (Napalm) Swedish Viking-metallists ponder the majesty of the stars. I do believe they're serious about all this. 4 (RB)

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