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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.

Towa Tei &bull; <i>AH!!</i>

Towa Tei • AH!!

Hard to believe how affordable advanced lighting for your basement disco warren has become — you can transform the small room into a raging den of chill and/or libido, simply by purchasing a couple hundred dollars worth of lights and playing this.

The Cat Empire &bull; <i>Bird in Paradise</i>

The Cat Empire • Bird in Paradise

Like many Australian things, this band is somewhat recognizable yet clearly evolved in a different context. There are many different influences interleaved, from the Caribbean to the Highlands to Eastern Europe and of course, a tinge of that Oz punk.