Trans Am: Future World> this band finally pulled it all together and produced a magnum opus for the 22nd century, as filtered through a 10,000 watt Atari.

Rasco: The Unassisted> Why does it seem like all the best hip hop in CA is up north in 1999? SF hero Rasco doesn't mince words-- his precision tongue doesn't have to. Heavy handed Rasco puts a beat down and wears the CA MC crown...for now.

--Bernie Mank

Manu Chao: Clandestino> Check out the solo debut from Mano Negra's leader Manu Chao.  This is one of the coolest records around.  Most of the songs are in Spanish, although there are some in French and Portuguese.  This cat has a unique sound.

fabulosos cadillacs - fabulosos calaveras> Latest effort from Argentinean mega-band.  this is the most original record i've heard in a while.  these guys really play.  there are 11 cats in this band.  they have a killer horn section.  mix of punk, funk & jazz in this incredible record.

--Raymond Perez

Tortoise: Tortoise> A revisit to the first album suddenly seems perfection in this town. After emerging from an outdoor abstrakt hiphop dj set at 6am, this is the album that delivers you to the world of the living machines. The sweet silence of headphones on city buses...

Bob Marley: Soul Rebel Boxed Set> Probably one of the best bob compilations ever. Producer Scratch Perry rightly includes some of the most righteous wailers/upsetters dub trax ever recorded.

--X1 .45

Ignition 13: Indeed> BC punk lives on in fine form on this excellent, clash-y record. By eliminating the gimmicks and sticking to the acid comedy that should always characterize this brand of punk, I-13 never wallows in the self-hating cheesery that plagues other 21st century punks. Also we dig the pig masks.

We have been listening to many shiny amazing musiks, too many to name right here! Many too many! Music is the most beautiful thing in the world, electric funky chickens danced through our dreams last week and that was just for fun! So tell the world to buy anything that has a nice cover and that you have never heard of. And tell them to enjoy the sweet buds of spring. Also surf over to the popsy rock site for all the topsy popsy info. Now!

USOUNDS | 1999