Nino Moschella
The Fix
www.UbiquityRecords.com
Raised on doo-wop and Italian lullabies – mad-scientist, multi-instrumentalist and Yosemite beat-boxer Nino Moschella channels the spirits of Sly & The Family Stone while rocking out ala Lenny and funking floor-bound what a younger James Brown used to do. Gritty soul and funk that can up anyone’s hipster score. My picks: “The Fix,” “Better Off,” “Time Will Tell,” “In Your Bedroom” and “Decisions.” Gig alert! Nino Moschella funks out June 1st at SF’s Bottom of The Hill, June 2nd at San Jose’s The SoFA Lounge and June 3rd @ SF’s Poleng Lounge for the album release party.

Stella Chiweshe
Double Check
www.Piranha.de
Driven to near extinction from British overlords the Mbira (thumb piano) music traditions and culture was saved by artists including Stella Chiweshe who is considered by many to be Zimbabwe’s cultural ambassador as well as a modern mystic. Decreeing that the Mbira was a tool of the devil women were forbidden from playing it altogether. Celebrating it’s 100th recording Berlin, Germany-based Piranha Musik presents Stella Chiweshe in a mind-altering 2CD set with one devoted to trance hits of African roots folk and the other classic hits from her past two decades of healing through her music. My picks: “Zvinonhamo,” “Kudara Kwangu,” “Machena,” “Chapfudzapasi,” “Mudzimu Dzoka” and “Chakauya.”

Pure 80’s #1’s
www.Hip-O.com
Unlike the ‘60s (if you remember you really weren’t there) the ‘80s was a decade that many don’t want to remember as it was a decade of excess, denial and death. “Best of” compilations may or may not help this, as they can be trite, over-indulgent and/or just plain painful. Pure 80’s #1’s is an exorcise of triumphant human spirit however, with the emergence of new popsters like Boy George and a revived Tina Turner and visionaries breaking new ground for feminists, Australians, video artists, composers, film scores, gender-bending and emo-futurists the compilation is a lovely memory lane trip. My picks: Yes’ “Owner Of A Lonely Heart,” Christopher Cross’ “Arthur’s Theme (Best That You Can Do),” Mr. Mister’s “Kyrie,” Men At Work’s “Down Under,” Culture Club’s “Karma Chameleon,” Fine Young Cannibals’ “She Drives Me Crazy” and Michael Sembello’s “Maniac.”

Give ‘Em The Boot V
www.Hell-Cat.com
Give ‘Em The Boot V does exactly what you would hope – it makes you want to search out the first four volumes to see what you’ve been missing. Los Angeles-based Hellcat Records’ annual low-priced compilation does indeed showcase a “diverse mix of punk, ska, reggae, psychobilly and more.” Street credible rockers and plenty of sass and ska and punky tossers fix any jones you have. My picks: The Slackers’ “Crazy,” HorrorPops’ “Crawl Straight Home,” The Heart Attacks’ “Widow Maker,” Westbound Train’s “I’m No Different” and Static Thought’s “Victim Of Hate.”

Rachael Sage
The Blistering Sun
www.RachaelSage.com
New York’s East Village songstress and label-owner Rachael sage has a striking intensity that benefits anyone surviving in a megacity armed with a voice and a poet’s soul. With delicious jazzy arrangements that would swoon any singer, Rachael sage flies around in a great dance bringing a refreshing vibrancy and excitement that anyone working a stage would be proud to know. My picks: “Featherwoman,” “Hit Song,” “Paperplane,” “Proof” and “Calypso.” Gig alert! Rachael Sage shines June 4th at Santa Cruz Pride.

Erase Errata
Nightlife
www.KillRockStars.com
Unhinged at the amp Erase Errata whips out the funky punky attitude adjustment paddle on their third release nightlife, burning the house with scorching screedy guitars, big ideas and chick lit punked rhythms. Expect assaultive humor poetically throwing down against consumerism, war, poverty, political and corporate welfare and love. My picks: “Hotel Suicide,” “Tax Dollar,” “Rider,” and “Giant Hans.” Gig alerts! Erase Errata medicate the masses May 29th @ Santa Cruz’s The Attic, May 30th at SF’s Bottom of The Hill and June 3rd at Davis’s Operation Restore Maximum Freedom Fest.

Devo 2.0
www.Devo2-0.com
As part of Disney’s whole family offerings is this surprise bit of future camp nirvana – a “remaking the band” Devo. How we loved them, kinky, funky, odd, stylish and campy rolled into one marketable chunk poking fun at consumerism that then in a parody of itself became huge. DEVO took the name and ideology from de-evolution – that humans are regressing rather than evolving. With social satire, obsession with stylized videos and technology including pioneering synthesizers - Devo was ripe for a new version with the CD/DVD Devo 2.0 tweenster do a fair job and the videos are probably as close to tripping as Mom will want for you. The Devo 2.0 band will be touring and some of their non-Devo material is definitely worth a listen. My picks: “Whip It,” “Cyclops,” “Big Mess,” “Jerkin’ Back ‘n Forth” and “Beautiful World.”

Oxycanta
www.Ultimae.com
Atmospheric and blissed-out otherworldly electronica floating on a down-tempo vibe guaranteed to melt away all troubles and tribulations. “Oxycanta” comes form Crataegus Oxyacantha (the Hawthorn tree) “a tree whose leaves and berries are known for their heart-healing properties.” Recorded in Sweden, Japan and France the minimalistic compositions all have been mixed together by Mahiane for a yogarific or zoner-ish checkout. I’m getting more relaxed just writing about it all. My picks: Solar Fields’ “Detection (Partially Detected),” Aes Dana’s “Mineral Lights (Submerge Edit),” Cell’s “Floating Retention,” Asura’s “Galaxies Part 1” and Hybrid Leisureland’s “Trampoline Hotel.”

Danielson
Ships
www.SecretlyCanadian.com
Experimental alt folk rockers and closet performance artists Danielson inflict group therapy rock opera style with confessionals, sharing and plenty of feedback. Enlisting families and friends to work and rework poetry, visuals and a masters thesis the gathered faithful churn out incredibly inventive, trippy and eclectically hip songs to confuse, inspire and challenge. No matter they are from New Jersey you will simply be visiting their planet. My picks: “Ship The Majestic Suffix,” “Cast It At The Setting Sail,” “Bloodbook On The Halfshell,” “My Lion Sleeps Tonight” and “Time That Bald Sexton.” Gig alert! Danielson sets sails June 2nd at SF’s Bottom of The Hill.

Byou featuring Sabrina Bryan
www.BYou.com
Jane Fonda is highly regarded for jump-starting the video-fitness movement with her home and bedroom-friendly workout videos with paced instructions liberating millions to workout in the comfort of their own space while watching folks in skimpy outfits. Enter Sabrina Bryan from the Disney movie The Cheetah Girls (about high school girls pursuing their dream of “singing superstardom”) who coaches cheer squads and dance teams on the side to inspire ‘tween girls 8-14 with a progressive dance-based workout to raise self-esteem. “Dance frees the spirit and encourages individual expression.” The DVD has some of the latest dance and hip-hop moves demonstrated for beginners and advanced levels, the corresponding CD features the music that will certainly get you dancing with or without instruction. “It’s important for everyone, no matter what their age to learn how to move their body.” My picks: Frankie Jordon’s “Good Time,” Drew Seeley’s “Join The Party,” Morgan Smith’s “Second 2 None” featuring Char and Sabrina Bryan’s “Byou (The Remix).”