Jane Bunnett Alma de Santiago (Blue Note/EMI) More great Cuban-inspired music from this talented lady and her friends. 9 (LD)

Xploding Plastix Amateur Girlfriends Go Proskirt Agents (Beatservice/Fusion III) An impressive exercise in raspy crime jazz, bolt-action beats and high-tension grooves from Norway. 9 (RB)

Sylk 130 When the Funk Hits the Fan Remixes (Six Degrees/Outside) Re-members only. Can't forget this reissue with King Britt and friends retouching the funk. 8 (SC)

Thalia Zedek Been Here and Gone (Matador/FAB) Bluesy cabaret solo debut by ex-Come chanteuse. A bit Nick Cave, a bit Patti Smith. A Leonard Cohen cover. Not recommended for rainy days. 7.5 (LC)

Eric's Trip The Eric's Trip Show (Teenage USA) Maritime fuzz rockers' poorly recorded live tracks from various cities, '91-'96. Some quality tunes shine through regardless. 6 (LC)

Nanci Griffith Clock Without Hands (Elektra/Warner) Little lukewarm ditties by the "queen of folkabilly." Helium vocals and reverent Americana become increasingly annoying. 4 (LC)

Pig in a Can self-titled (Fedora/Fusion III) Washed-up cold wavers fuse blues and techno with dire results. What worked for Moby fails horribly here. 2 (RB)

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