Valleys of Neptune -- Jimi Hendrix -- Sony Legacy

A discovery of some vaulted recordings by the rock legend and guitar god, who passed far, far too soon, brought about this amazing new chapter in the Hendrix legacy, giving us a window into a world that was not near its end but at its beginning and offering yet another portrait of one of rock music's deepest souls.

Mondo Cane -- Mike Patton  -- Ipecac Recordings

A feat of true musicality showing Patton's obvious affinity for orchestral film scoring and Italian pop music. The result is a wonderful stroll through pop Italiano.

IRM -- Charlotte Gainsbourg  -- Elektra/Asylum

Artistic pop music to the fullest produced by Beck, who reaches back into Serge Gainsbourg territory circa 1971 on personal narratives from Charlotte about what else? Personal things. The music is at times playful and emotional, altogether groovy.

I Learned the Hard Way -- Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings -- Daptone

Sharon Jones has been knocking us out for years with her brand of old school soul, which doesn't sound old at all. The Daptone label house band is a minimal rhythm ’n' blues-based funk machine that delivers the groove to match Miss Jones' real life grit.

Grinderman 2  -- Grinderman -- Mute

A new day is dawning for art-rock ringleader Nick Cave, who hasn't grown too tired or weary to, well, rock. Cave is still the traveling snake-oil salesman of post punk, delivering a churning guttural assault one might not expect at this stage in his game, with an abandon that pulls no punches.

Sisterworld -- Liars -- Mute

All Day -- Girl Talk -- Illegal Art

Brothers -- The Black Keys  -- Nonesuch Records

Before Today -- Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti -- 4AD

Lady Killer -- Cee-Lo Green -- Elektra/Asylum