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Mestizo Beat &bull; <i>Jaraguá</i>

Mestizo Beat • Jaraguá

As the name successfully implies, this outfit is a heady blend of Chicano funk and other sources. Pumping bass lines that could drain the Baltic Sea in minutes and horn stabs that could be entered as evidence in a court of law fill out the package.

The Fearless Flyers &bull; <i>Tailwinds</i>

The Fearless Flyers • Tailwinds

“Fearless” is a good word to use for this fully-formed funk outfit, as are “fierce,” “fiery,” “finessed,” “futuristic,” and so many effing others. A blend of precision and groove that does well on repeat.

Art d'Ecco &bull; <i>Serene Demon</i>

Art d'Ecco • Serene Demon

Sure, bring your slick neon-tinged indie rock in here. I don't care that you sprinkled keyboards and saxophones all over in addition to the stabbing guitars, distressed vocals, and plucky bass. It just needs a beat we can dance to.

Ale Hop & Titi Bakorta &bull; <i>Mapambazuko</i>

Ale Hop & Titi Bakorta • Mapambazuko

Opening track "Una Cumbia En Kinshasa" easily sets the stage for this transcontinental sound melange, a collaboration between Peruvian-born, Berlin-based Hop and Congolese soukous guitar player Bakorta. It's full of joy and weird production touches