Various Artists: Cloud Cuckooland (Finders Keepers- German Miner- B-Music)

Various Artists: Cloud Cuckooland (Finders Keepers- German Miner- B-Music) - A collection of pre-1974 recordings from Germany's Kuckuck records' psychedelic prog-rock era. The forward thinking experimentations will lift you into the clouds with heady elements of blues, jazz, gospel, ambiance and more. Bizarre samples, dynamic movements, fuzzy guitar and groovy moog are essential ingredients. Recommended.

Various Artists: Palenque Palenque: Champeta Criolla and Afro Roots in Columbia 1975 - 91 (Soundway)

Various Artists: Palenque Palenque: Champeta Criolla and Afro Roots in Columbia 1975 - 91 (Soundway) - The music heritage of Columbia's Caribbean coast stretches back to Africa. Soundsystem DJs of the day refreshed those roots, veering popular Cumbia and Porro forms toward Afrobeat and African psychedelia. Though somewhat uneven for Soundway, it's still Recommended. [nice 28 page color booklet has LP scans and commentary]

Tame Impala: InnerSpeaker (Modular)

Tame Impala: InnerSpeaker (Modular) - The debut from Australia quartet Tame Impala is a bright, psychedelic array of paisley pop, kaleidoscopic guitars and stoner rhythms. Though frontman Kevin Parker's vocals recall those of John Lennon, it's far from derivative. Drop into the gloriously heady, ebullient experience. Nearly Highly Recommended.

David Karsten Daniels and Fight the Big Bull: I Mean to Live Here Still (FatCat)

David Karsten Daniels and Fight the Big Bull: I Mean to Live Here Still (FatCat) – Richmond's own nonet Fight the Big Bull join San Francisco based folky troubadour David Karsten Daniels for a modernistic take on the poems of Henry David Thoreau. The poetic marriage of traditional hymnals and country with adventurous jazz arrangements of clarinet, saxophones, trumpet, trombones, bass and percussion yields a multi-dimensional album that’s rewardingly harmonious and complex. RIYL: Clogs Recommended.

Maps and Atlases: Perch Patchwork (Barsuk)

Maps and Atlases: Perch Patchwork (Barsuk) - The debut LP from Chicago 4-piece Maps and Atlases takes art rock into a fascinating, yet accessible sound all their own. It’s a manifestation of the dynamics of relationships, as darkness and light are lyrically and musically layered with complexity and color. RIYL: Born Ruffians, Vampire Weekend, Menomena, Dirty Projectors Recommended.

Baths: Cerulean (Anticon)

Baths: Cerulean (Anticon) - The debut from Los Angeles producer Will Wiesenfeld (aka Baths) blends warm synths, warped samples, layered instruments and hazy distortion with gingerly bouncing beats. Recommended.

Dan Sartain: Lives (One Little Indian)

Dan Sartain: Lives (One Little Indian) - Dan Sartain is a lo-fi rockabilly troubadour from Birmingham, Alabama. The grit of retro-garage rock swings with foot stomping beats and his aching voice that’s tapped into southern sensibilities. Nearly Recommended.