Seems like this wonder kid, full nameMarcello Tahitoe, has music in his bloodstream. Why? Well, he’s the son of composer Mahinggus Tahitoe and singer Diana Nasution and the cousin of hearthrob soulman Glenn Fredly. His debut album is made up of arrangements penned by his father called “Pergi Untuk Kembali” (Leave To Return) given a modern up beat vibe. He sounds not unlike his cousin Glenn and is very impressive when he hits the high notes. Check track 6, a duet with Glenn Fredly called “Kau”(You) that blends their two voices very smoothly. Big Jamiroquai influence? Yeah, but for sure, he’s gonna be one to watch //gino++

Starting out on the underground scene, the band “Pas” has been around since the 90’s and are known as worshippers of psychedelic rock, with band members coming and going but Pas remaining a solid unit - or brand at least! The album is filled with guest appearances from other big names from Indonesia’s music scene - “Getir” (Bitter) features Reza with a dark sonic quality and lyrics to match. Another track “Bayangan” (Shadows) features Christopher Abimanyu…yup the Indonesian opera trained Tenor. Brings colour to the album giving Pas a more mature sound //gino++

On their Sophomore release, Damon Albarn’s cartoon caperers are joined by a veritable colony of musical primates including De La Soul, Debbie Harry, ex Happy Monday’s frontman Shaun Ryder, Ike Turner, acclaimed rapper MF Doom, the London Community Gospel Choir and, oddly, Dennis Hopper. And that’s to name but a few. Musically Demon Dayz is as eclectic as its personnel, though overall it’s built on hip hop’s cut and paste aesthetic with a healthy dusting of dub. Production comes courtesy of Danger Mouse (who produced the acclaimed Gray album, a mash up of Jay Z’s Black album and The Beatle’s White album) with loads of strings, twisted funky drum breaks, soulclaps, keyboards, gospel choruses, voicoders and wicked harmonies. The first single Feel Good Inc. speaks for itself – funky bass line, up tempo breakbeat and De La Soul’s bright flow. Dirty Harry epitomises the dubbed out funk sound, featuring ex Pharcyde rapper Booty Brown and the San Fernandez youth chorus delivering the erm... chorus – Shaun Ryder comes off surprisingly well on the bleepy electro-disco workout Dare and Dennis Hopper’s spoken word contribution on the freaky ‘Fire Coming Out of the Monkey’s head is improbable yet strangely, it rocks. The whole album does. Get it.

Gotta be an i-pod aficionado for this one, cos it sure as shiznit isn’t gonna enjoy release here in Indonesia. Edan is a skinny white rapper producer with a flow that reminds you of Big Daddy Kane and a production style that doesn’t remind you of anything cos it’s so individual. Alongside thumping beats and vintage soul samples, Edan dips the whole thing blotter-like in a hefty dose of 60’s psychedelia. The result is tripped out rhyming that nevertheless harks back to rap’s golden era of the eighties – Edan’s lyricism is as tangential and many coloured as the musical tapestry he weaves – a little forced and plosive at times, but that can be forgiven. The whole LP runs in at a pretty meagre 34 minutes, but it’s so richly layered and concisely put together, it leaves you feeling satiated. And you know for sure the next listening will reveal further dimensions.The upbeat Fumbling With Words That Rhyme showcases Edan’s tough flow as he goes thru a hip hop who’s who, giving props to his predecessors over a bumping break, dubby bass line and tweaked vocal loop from some smooth sixties band like The Association. Percee P and Mr.Lif’contribute and the latter on Making Planets is a standout, with his verse materialising over a wicked guitar riff about halfway through the track. Short, sweet and wildly creative.