Jackson Conti - Sujinho

A working name assembled from the surnames of its two man team, Jackson Conti hurdles generations and genres as it swings like a summer cocktail - sweetly simple with intoxicating fun. Ivan "Mamao" Conti is an Brazilian percussionist extraordinaire, fueling the rhythms of Brazil's most famous artist(Milton Nasimento, Gal Costa, Jorge Benjor). But its was his early 80's group, Azymuth, that filtered into the record crates of left-field producer Madlib (aka Otis Jackson Jr.), who eventually crafted his own renditions of Azymuth's classic songs. After an encouraged encounter between the two, Madlib left Brazil with an hour and a half of Conti's solo rhythms. In a similar nature to his jazzy Yesterday's New Quintet outfit, Madlib constructs an ode to jazz samba and bossa nova from Conti drumming. Flip flopping between seductively soothing jazz ("São Paulo Nights" and "Papaia") to up-tempo festival shakers ("Nao Tem Nada Nao"), Sujinho is the sound of fluttering summer high life. Drink umbrella not included.

Sigur Rós - Med Sud I Eyrum Vid Spilum Endalaust

As the album cover suggests, Sigur Rós have discarded everything to run amok. And running wild means they've escaped the confines of their usual Icelandic recording studio for New York, London and Havana, Cuba, and they've stepped away from the somber, transcendental epics of previous albums for songs that are direct and vibrant. "Gobbledigook" kick starts the album (translated as With a Buzz in Our Ears We Play Endlessly) with flailing tribal drums and its invented frivolous lyrics at happy play. "Inní Mér Syngur Vitleysingur" is Sigur Rós buoyant celebration minus their typical four minute build up. But for fans of their monumental bravado, look no further than nine minute "Ára Bátur". With voice and piano opening the track, it slowly builds to glacial heights with the help of the 90 members within London Sinfonietta and London Oratory Boy's Choir. As arresting as it is inspiring, Sigur Rós continues to astound. Now if someone can only get them out of the offices more often.

Damon & Naomi – More Sad Hits

As the forefathers of the eventually shoegazer and slowcore nation that arose in the 1990’s, Galaxie 500 released three perfect albums of beautiful, atmospheric pop songs that turned down the avalanches of feedback and distortion used by My Bloody Valentine, yet still had as much emphasis on textual effects and dreamy melody. When the vocalist/guitarist Dean Wareham left the trio to form Luna, the two remaining members, Damon Krukowski and Naomi Yang banded together and continued on with some coaxing by ubiquitous indie musician/producer Mark Kramer. Originally released in 1992, Damon & Naomi’s debut More Sad Hits now gets remastered and repacked masterfully with linear notes written by the pair themselves, as they take a walk back into their past memories. Ghostly pretty, there are hints of the Cocteau Twins haunting ethereal, yet with less gloom, all softed by Naomi’s gentle voice. While not as glorious and balanced as Galaxie 500’s output, this is a great soundtrack to your next rainy day, giving your Mazzy Star albums a deserved break.