Trombone Shorty: Backatown (Verve Forecast)

Trombone Shorty: Backatown (Verve Forecast) - Troy 'Trombone Shorty' Andrews' verve debut takes it's name from the locals' term for the area of New Orleans' 6th Ward where Troy was born and raised. His older brother gave him the nickname when he was four years old – as he marched with a trombone twice as long as he was high. With a New Orleans flair, he mixes jazz, funk, rock, and soul into a high-energy "supafunkrock". [Note: Featured in four episodes of the HBO series Tremé] Recommended.

Brazilian Girls: New York City (Verve)

Brazilian Girls: New York City (Verve) - For their 3rl LP, NYC trio Brazilian Girls continue blurring international lines. Like its urban namesake, New York City takes on a more shadowed, edgy sound.  The tracks tend to undergo a metamorphosis as they progress.  Sabina Sciubba’s sensual multilingual vocals thread the evolving textures of synthesized washes, playful organic instrumentation, and shifting rhythms.  Downtown crew Kenny Wollesen and The Himalayas lend support on several tracks.  Recommended.