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The sublime fourth album from 13th Floor Elevators – all freaky, fuzzy, and fantastic – the kind of set that so many others tried to copy over the years – but could never deliver with this sort of grit! The record's got a perfect balance of heady guitars and straight-ahead rhythms – all held together with the kind of simple studio trickery that makes so many International Artist records of this vintage so great – and virtually the blueprint for indie psych at the time! Titles include "Scarlet & Gold", "Street Song", "Dr Doom", "With You", "Till Then", "Never Another", and "Down By The River". Includes 10 bonus tracks. CD

A pretty compelling record from trombonist Bill Watrous – one of those players you always figure for a straight guy, but who always manages to throw in a curve ball at the right moment! This one's got Bill working with a large group in kind of a mixed electric big band style – and the tracks have the appeal of some of the European groups that were working in this mode during the early 70s – especially some of the larger ensembles on MPS! The grooves are more jazzy than funky, but still plenty great – and the horn sections really benefit from some great electronic help from Dick Hyman on moog and Fender Rhodes, and Joe Beck on guitar. Titles include "Dee Dee", "Ayo", "Fourth Floor Walk Up", "Zip City", and a nice version of Chick Corea's "Spain". LP, Vinyl record album

Missy and Timbaland (and the usual cast of guest stars) are back and hotter than ever before on Missy's fourth full length, much more of a hip hop record this time, with tons of old school party shouts and new school neo-electro production! Under Construction is kind of a concept album (don't worry, not in the Jethro Tull kind of way) with a theme that celebrates the hip hop golden age of the mid-to-late 80s but with a modern, probably timeless flavor. The status quo R&B that Missy can't seem to get out of her system is here only at a minimum – this is a hip hop record! Past guests like Method Man (turning in a great remake of "Bring The Pain"), Ludacris, and Jay Z show up as well as 50 Cent, Ms. Jade, Beyonce Knowles, and TLC – but as usual, no one steals the show from Mis and Tim. No one would claim Missy is the most scholarly of lyricists, but as a conduit for attitude and a spicy groove she can't be beat, plus her topical and scatological rhymes and choruses fit these hip hop party bumpers like a Kangol & a gold chain. Tons of shout outs to and samples of the old schoolers that are just way too true to be nostalgic, plus strong production from Timbaland that isn't afraid to risk his reputation as an innovator by referencing his influences. The duo may have produced more astoundingly great singles in the recent past, but this is Missy and Timbaland's magnum opus, as far as full lengths go. 13 tracks including "Work It", "Go To The Floor", "Bring The Pain" featuring Method Man, "Funky Fresh Dressed" featuring Ms Jade, "Slide", "Play That Beat", "Ain't That Funny", and more. CD