A very trippy album from the enigmatic Brother Ah – aka Robert Northern, former member of Sun Ra's Arkestra, and also a lecturer on the east coast. This album's his first, originally issued on the Strata East label – and a space mixture of other-worldly sounds. The first long track on the album is entitled "Beyond Yourself (The Midnight Confession)", and features a group with Ah on flutes and "natural" sounds, plus cello by Pat Dixon, percussion by Barbara Burton, and soprano voice by Barbara Grant. The track's a "sound journey in 7 parts" – floating across space with a mystical feel that slowly unfurls. The other long track on the set is "Love Piece", a tune in which Ah plays flute along with percussion by Max Roach and the M'Boom percussion ensemble – plus a 90-voice chorus, and a short rap by Roach. Very spiritual stuff! CD

Ahh, the glory days of the Native Tongues. Remember a time when dropping knowledge and keeping rumps bumpin' weren't mutually exclusive? This sophomore LP from the Jay Beez is a smorgasbord of funky breaks, jazzy samples and lyrical niceness from the golden era of hip hop. 16 tracks, including interludes and such, with "Doin Our Own Dang", "J Beez Comin Through", "What U Waitin' 4", "Beyond This World", "Acknowledge Your Own History", "Sunshine", "Beeds On A String", "Done By The Forces Of Nature", "Kool Accordin 2 A Jungle Brother" and "Tribe Vibes". CD

Ahhh. . . Nice! Wonderful intelligent, spiritual rhymes, full of Islamic prayer references, blunt antagonist rhymes, a battle with the ugliest of inner demons and broken artist poverty all hugged by catchy bouncing hook filled choruses. And all the production is handled by Ant, a true autuer akin to Pete Rock, now becoming more comfortable with his art with each release: tight organ loops, snapping drums, bright horns and nice upright basslines. "Soulful" is the key adjective here. Tracks include "Star Quality", "Pay Them Back", "Shadows On The Sun", "Forest Whitiker", "Room With A View", "Back Stage Pacin", "Missing Teeth", "Dorian", "Soul Whisper", "Champion", "Prince Charming", and more! CD

A funky trip through the classic Warner Brothers recordings of P-Funk maestro Bootsy Collins! The set's a pretty great introduction to Bootsy's work, and includes some of his best numbers, plus a great set of notes that will really help you navigate his rich career. There's a total of 14 tracks, and titles include "Bootzilla", "Ahhh The Name Is Bootsy, Baby", "Stretchin Out (In A Rubber Band)", "Hollywood Squares", "Jam Fan (Hot)", "Vanish In Our Sleep", "Can't Stay Away", "I'd Rather Be With You", and a live version of "Psychoticbumpschool". CD