Donnie “Do You Know” 12” (Giant Step) Dude sounds chillingly like Donny Hathaway and Stevie Wonder—simultaneously! 9 (SC)

Ben Webster & Teddy Wilson Ben & Teddy (Sackville) Two jazz giants (pianist Wilson is joined by tenorman Webster on five cuts) live in Switzerland in 1970. Top drawer! 9 (LD)

The Hydromatics Powerglide (Freakshow) Amsterdam (the Nitwitz) and Detroit (Scott Morgan of Sonic’s Rendezvous Band) merge for some seriously slammin’ rawk. 8.5 (JC)

Spengler We Need a Miracle (Blue Skies Turn Black) Hmmm, these local grit-peddlers may need a bigger budget next time out, but a miracle is uncalled for. 7.5 (LC)

Strife Angermeans (Victory) Slightly better than what Victory has been putting out lately but hardly “the tits” when it comes to heavy. 6 (JC)

The Beautiful South Solid Bronze: Great Hits (Go! Discs/Universal) It’s ’80s and ’90s, it’s ladies and gents, it’s weak soul and MOR, it’s Simply Red meets the Corrs. Ugh. 4 (LC)