Kirk MacDonald Pure & Simple (Justin Time/Fusion III) One of Canada’s top tenor men, a great pianist from England in John Taylor, plus Neil Swainson and Terry Clarke—a winning combination! 9.5 (LD)

Burnt by the Sun Soundtrack to the Personal Revolution (Relapse/Koch) Converge and Dillinger Escape Plan better watch their backs because there’s a new hardcore band in town. 9 (JC)

Jazzanova “That Night” 12” feat. Vikter Duplaix (JCR) Barons of sophisticated chop ’n’ shuffle return with the silky vocals of a certain Philly cheese-steak. 8 (SC)

Son Seals Deluxe Edition (Alligator) Seals’ blues is outstanding but when he mixes it with Meters-style funk, he’s on fire. 8 (JC)

Glenn Lewis “Don’t You Forget It” 12” (Epic) Longtime T.O. R&B don finally makes his mama proud with a track that can stand up to the U.S. fare. 7.5 (SC)

Sin Kissing (Abuse Industries/Fusion III) Witch-led Austrian duo produce slick, sleazy goth trip-tronica, cover Placebo and Velvets. Verry sc-eh-rry. 6.5 (LC)

Victoria Beckham self-titled (Virgin) Last Spice Girl out of the gate, solo Posh plays it safe with predictable R&B and passable pop. More diet pills and champagne, dahling? 6 (LC)