This is another limited “color series” release from Bali via Bandung breakbeat bad boy, Electrofuxx. His live performances, where he spontaneously conducts aural experiments on his audience via mind-altering sonic frequency barrages, are a sight and sound to behold. This “demo” CD entitled “The Black Album” gives one a glimpse into his innovative spins on the tech/breakbeat form. The opening track “Island of the Gods,” for instance, combines the recognizable and haunting chant of Balinese Kecak dancers with a wicked backbeat. The more ambient “West Coast” track sounds just like that as it brings to mind a cool Cali breeze. Currently only available as 200 limited edition CD demos, it will most likely be “re-released” as part of a forthcoming double CD compilation with another Indonesian avant electronic artist called Jaggerboy Transistor. Get it now or get it later, but make sure to pick this one up.

Sajama Cut’s latest is a Frankenstein monster hybrid of styles that evoke a variety of musical inspirations which range from the jangly guitar stylings of R.E.M. to the distinct vocal characteristics of Ohio Indie legends, Guided by Voices. The Jakarta quartet of Marcel (vocals), Aldi (guitar), Mario (bass), and Andry (drums) made their smash debut with a track called “Less Afraid” on the soundtrack for “Janji Joni.” The hit was perhaps reminiscent of The Strokes’ raw energy, but with a looser, more dirty, blues edge. Their track “Fallen Angel” was their first single and still stands strong on the album with its vocal harmonies and melancholic chords. Marcel’s vocals (mostly in English) set the band apart from their more mainstream peers by maintaining a definite unpolished quality and the instrumentation of the tracks is varied and lush. Recommended for fans of underground sound.

Hailing from Oakland CA isn’t the best start if you’re looking to produce commercially successful hip hop. If you’re content to rock the ‘underground’ and take pride in being ‘independent,’ it shouldn’t be a problem. The Zion I duo dropped their first LP Mind Over Matter back in 2000 and the acclaimed (in hip hop circles) Deep Water Slang three years later but have yet to kick it to the masses, except backing up the likes of J5 and The Roots on tour. Which is a shame cos this is solid, solid hip hop. Lyrically conscious, political but far from holier than thou (there’s party rhymes in here too) MC Zion’s flow recalls Q-Tip while Amp Live’s production blends warm keyboards and Fela style horns over electro edged drum tracks. A welcome slice of organic hip hop in a sea of saccharine processed beats.

T.A.T.U’s high octane Balkan ballads took the world by storm back in 2003, notably with the insanely catchy All The Things She Said. They dressed up as schoolgirls and loudly proclaimed their Lesbianism (apparently Ta – Tu is a combo of two forms of the feminine in Russian, roughly translating as ‘This female (does something) to that female.’Anyway, Dangerous & Moving picks up where their debut left off, with the girls (one of whom now has a baby) singing high as choir boys over some of the most melodramatic synth-pop-rock to have emerged in years. It helps that they have pop luminaries including Trevor Horn, Dave Stewart and Sting on board this time around. No doubt some will dismiss this as Eurotrash but it’s so sublimely done, I for one am quite happy to gorge myself on its high flown emotion. (and you r a bit a eurotrash yaself, JD! Ed)