The fantastic third album from Common – the record that really catapulted him on his way to stardom, yet a set that still retains all the best aspects of his early days in Chicago! Part of that quality comes from the superb production of No ID, who gets a bit of local help from Dug Infinite and Twilite Tone – all talents who have that special, sophisticated vibe that was really starting to flow from Chicago out to the rest of the world – and which here is perfect for the well-crafted lyrics from Common! The balance is great – never too hard or heavy, yet also not trying to ape either a west coast quirky or New York native tongues approach. This time around, there's also plenty of guests on board, of the sort that Common would soon be rubbing shoulders with on a regular basis – a lineup that includes The Roots, Q-Tip, Erykah Badu, Canibus, Black Thought, Lauryn Hill, and De La Soul. Yet throughout, the vibe is Common's and Chicago's – something that's always made us very proud to be from the same scene at the same time. Titles include "1 2 Many", "Reminding Me Of Sef", "Invocation", "Stolen Moments", "My City", "Real Nigga Quotes", and "Retrospect For Life". CD

A triumphant return for The Gorillaz – as improbably (impossibly!?) brilliant as ever! Much like the real life post-millennium culture we all inhabit, The Gorillaz exist in a world both virtual and physical – with artist and conceptualist Jamie Hewlett, singer/guiding force Damon Albarn, producer Twilite Tone and others providing a mood and aesthetic framework for an amazing roster of guest singers, rhymers and musicians on this one, who all really contribute a lot – especially to the lyricism and writing. Given the stylistically sprawling guests – both prominently billed and even more further behind the scenes – it's really impressive how well it holds together so cohesively from beginning-to-end. Way more than a cartoony supergroup, but you knew that already! Guests include Peven Everett, Mavis Staples, Danny Brown, Grace Jones, De La Soul and more, with an overall vibe Titles include "Ascension" with Vince Staples, "Strobelight" with Chicago indie soul legend in-the-making Peven Everett (and honestly one of the standout tracks, we're not just saying that out of hometown pride), "Momentz" with De La Soul, "Carnival" with Anthony Hamilton, "Let Me Out" with Mavis Staples & Pusha T, "Charger" with Grace Jones, "Submission" with Danny Brown & Keleta, "We Got The Power (Version 2:18:482) with Jehnny Beth (of Savages) and many more. 2CD deluxe edition includes a bonus CD with extra tracks – including "Halfway To A Halfway House" with Peven Everett, "Ticker Tape" with Carly Simon (!!!) & Kali Uchis and more. CD