From a 2-CD greatest-hits set. Oumou is a singer from Mali who does strong, uplifting songs, many of them about liberation and women's rights. Great stuff if you're looking for a way to get into "world" music.

Don Preston Trio -- "The Eric Dolphy Memorial Barbeque" [by Frank Zappa] -- Transformation (Cryptogramophone, 2001)

* John Adams -- "American Berzerk" -- Road Movies (Nonesuch, 2004)

* George Schuller -- "Tip Jar" -- JigSaw (482 Music, 2004)

* Spring Heel Jack -- "Quintet" -- The Sweetness of the Water (Thirsty Ear, 2004)

Another record that teams the British electronica duo with a set of U.S. and U.K. free-improv players (Evan Parker, Wadada Leo Smith, etc.) More subdued that previous SHJ albums; they avoid the "big dull roar" sound in favor of quieter, pointillistic pieces. Nice abstract stuff.

Fascinating project: a Norweigan band led by a guitar/accordion/banjo player, accompanied by some Bulgarian gypsy-style musicians and (on one incredible track) an India-born, Norway-residing tabla player. The music kind of alternates between gypsy jazz and funky fusion. Wild stuff, and loads of fun -- this was a "critics' favorite" here at KZSU when it came out.

* The Exciting Trio -- "You've Got a Moustache and Everything" -- In Chicago There Is Willy (482 Music, 2004)

*! Eleni Mandell -- "American Boy" -- Afternoon (Zedtone, 2004)

* Sun Ra and the Cosmic Rays -- "Black Sky and Blue Moon" -- Spaceship Lullabye (Atavistic, 2004; recorded sometime c.1958)

A treasure trove of very early Sun Ra, when he was working with doo-wop singers. Includes plenty of covers/standards and some knockout Sun Ra originals (the title track being the best example).

* John Shiurba's 5x5 -- "1.1.2" -- 1.1=M (Unlimited Sedition, 2004)

* Baby Dodds -- "Spooky Drums #1" -- V/A: Talking and Drum Solos (Atavistic, 2004)

* John Zorn, composer; Marc Ribot, solo guitar -- "Hodaah" -- Masada Guitars (Tzadik, 2004)

* Fred Frith -- "Returning Home: The Wind" -- Eye 2 Ear II (Tzadik, 2004)

* Cartwright/Oppenheim (Katharine Cartwright and Richard Oppenheim) -- "Solo for Voice 72" [by John Cage] -- Harrinton Carved Wax, 2000)

* Lonnie Plaxico Group -- "Along Came Benny" -- Live at Jazz Standard (441 Records, 2003)

Noertker's Moxie -- "The Chemist of Figueras Looks for Nothing at All" -- Sketches of Catalonia Vol. 1: Dali (Edgetone, 2003)

* Marilyn Crispell -- "Cosmology" -- Storyteller (ECM, 2004)

Brad Dutz -- "Dry Steam" -- Obliteration Percussion Quartet (self-released, 2003)

* Stuart Saunders Smith, composer; Jonas Larsson, solo orchestra bells -- "Thaw" [1993] -- Breath: The Percussion Music of Stuart Saunders Smith (11 West, 2004)

* = Item in KZSU rotation
! = Pop anomaly
? = Item not in KZSU library