G Love & Special Sauce - Superhero Brother

“When G. Love & Special Sauce released their self-titled debut in 1994, the Philadelphia trio created a distinctive new recipe for beat-driven summer chill-out music. “Superhero Brother” demonstrates further seasoning, as frontman/songwriter Garrett “G. Love” Dutton adds reflections on politics and fatherhood to his unique and variable hip-hop/blues formula that otherwise pays tribute to funk music, weed and blueberry pie. Bright guitar hooks, expansive piano and Jimi “Jazz” Prescott’s driving bass create tracks like “Wiggle Worm” and “Georgia Brown” that are as engrossing as they are stress-reducing. With only vocals, acoustic guitar and harmonica, the title track shows off G. Love’s solo chops, as well as his fantasies to end wars and save whales. A choice cold beverage for a warm-weather buzz.—Evie Nagy”

Dan Tyminski - Wheels

“Those who believe it’s been far too long since Alison Krauss + Union Station’s Dan Tyminski released his 2003 solo debut will be thrilled that his sophomore effort is at hand. Marked by the fine picking, strong vocals and well-chosen songs that AKUS fan have come to expect, “Wheels” is a stunning second effort. In true bluegrass tradition, “Some Early Morning” is a fine, haunting tale of a man wrongly accused and “Making Hay” is a reminder that you can’t get above your raising. Tyminski ably handles AKUS bandmate Ron Block’s “It All Comes Down to You” and the Kitty Wells classic “Whose Shoulder Will You Cry On,” while “Who Showed Who” deals with the aftermath of a woman’s murder of her husband (”Who’s right or wrong/Two children left without a home”). —Ken Tucker”

Liz Phair - Exile in Guyville

“When “Exile in Guyville” was released in 1993, its lo-fi sound and frank lyrics about female sexuality and desire were seen by many as revolutionary. Fifteen years later, the pendulum has swung so far the other way that ditties about oral sex and girls kissing girls top the pop chart and can be heard while shopping at the drugstore. But “Guyville” stands the test of time simply because, while the shock value might have diminished, the intelligence and soulfulness with which Liz Phair sings about these topics remains unparalleled. The rerelease contains three bonus tracks; only one of them, the mournful “Ant in Alaska,” is worth multiple listens. Phair also took it upon herself to “return to Guyville” and make a movie about it; while there are some funny moments on the DVD (”rouge-ing” nipples, anyone?), most of it seems extraneous. Most of the time, you just shouldn’t mess with perfection. —Cortney Harding”

The Watson Twins - Fire Songs

“After gaining recognition for backing Jenny Lewis on her 2006 solo debut, “Rabbit Fur Coat,” the Watson Twins make a move to the forefront with their first Vanguard album. The set follows in the same folksy vein as the Louisville, Ky., natives’ work with Lewis, touching on elements of country, folk and pop, and highlights the twin sisters’ warm, delicate harmonies and hooky choruses. The songs range from the playful guitar and piano of “How Am I to Be” to slow-burners like the countrified “Lady Love Me” and torch song “Only You.” Horn flourishes liven up “Map to Where You Are,” and the twangy, harmonica-laced cover of the Cure’s “Just Like Heaven” is gentle and intimate. “Fire Songs” proves the Watson Twins are a strong songwriting team, and one that has earned its time in the spotlight. —Jill Menze”

Homemade Jamz Blues Band - Pay Me No Mind

“A blues band featuring a 16-year-old lead guitarist/vocalist, a 13-year-old bassist and a 9-year-old drummer might well strike blues fans as little more than a novelty act. Indeed, Ryan Perry (the 16-year-old, his brother Kyle (bass) and sister Taya (drums) have a novel thing going on, but blues lovers will do well to listen to their debut disc before drawing any conclusions. This Tupelo, Miss., trio knocks down 11 solid tunes, 10 of which were penned by the kids’ father, Renaud Perry. “Right Thang Wrong Woman” is a great, original blues number. Ryan sings the hell out of the song, and he snaps off a couple of pretty crunchy guitar solos as well. “Blues Concerto” showcases Renaud working a fierce harmonica and more strong lead guitar from Ryan. The next generation of blues players sounds like they mean business. —Philip Van Vleck”

Sam Sparro - Sam Sparro

“Around for more than a year, Sam Sparro’s “Black & Gold” has created the kind of viral buzz you can’t buy. It’s a Gershwin-meets-Goldfrapp song of tragic love, delivered by Sparro with a plaintive soulfulness that breaks hearts. On his debut self-titled full-length, the Australian-born, Los Angeles-residing singer/songwriter doesn’t try to repeat “Black,” because he doesn’t have to: He can do it all. “Too Many Questions” beats Jamiroquai at its own game, getting closer to the essence of Stevie Wonder. “Sick” brings back the synth-washed narcissism of ’80s Depeche Mode better than the band itself can. Even Prince gets punked: “Sally”—an ode to a stripper—is so funky it’s downright purple. But the best part of Sparro is that he’s not just multiplying old styles by new sounds. Dressed like a raver B-boy, switching between Rufus Wainwright and D’Angelo, the boy’s not faking it. —Kerri Mason”

Dwele - Sketches of a Man

“This 20-track collection is inspired by love (”Love Ultra”), women (”Travelin Girl”), sex (”Blow Your Mind”) and all the ups and downs of relationships (”Free As a Bird,” “Workin On It”), underlined by attractive production, pretty compositions and Dwele’s supple voice. The narratives break from the norm on tracks like “I’m Cheating,” where he croons about loving his partner’s reserved side as well as her kinky side, and feeling the urge to cheat on one with the other as if they were two different people. The rock-tinged “Body Rock” and “Brandi,” which features a rap verse, also stray from the typical soulful sound, but they add a welcome twist. Elsewhere, Dwele capably handles Bobby Caldwell’s tough breakup anthem “Open Your Eyes” and displays vulnerability on “A Few Reasons.” These “Sketches of a Man” are likely to be some of the most in-demand R&B tunes of the summer.—Mariel Concepcion”

Alejandro Escovedo - Real Animal

“If Alejandro Escovedo’s 2006 album “The Boxing Mirror” was a reflection on mortality and the hepatitis C that nearly killed him, “Real Animal” buttresses the case for artistic immortality. The songs are richly textured, heartfelt autobiographical snapshots. “Nun’s Song” concisely evokes the ethos of the Nuns, the San Francisco punk band in which Escovedo played: “We don’t want your approval . . . We know we’ll never be great,” he sings of a band that hardly knew the chords to “Louie Louie.” On “Chelsea Hotel ‘78,” Escovedo rips away the sentimentality that often accompanies tributes to New York’s former bohemian headquarters. The raucous “Chip n’ Tony” pays tribute to the band Rank & File, with whom Escovedo played a sublime form of early-’80s country punk. “Sister Lost Soul” swells with sweet emotion, instilling visions of Tina Turner in her ’80s prime. Sweeping violins and take-no-prisoners guitars co-exist in producer Tony Visconti’s gorgeous glam frame for Escovedo’s visionary sound. —Wayne Robins”

Ry Cooder - I, Flathead

“On his latest solo album, Ry Cooder intones, “Time is all you got,” and it’s the ravages of time that have informed the California trilogy he wraps up with “I, Flathead.” But while 2005’s “Chavez Ravine” and last year’s “My Name Is Buddy” pondered losses—of places, communities, solidarity—”I, Flathead” takes us back to a time gone by, when California was in the early throes of modern development. The fictitious singer/ songwriter Kash Buk and his band the Clowns provide the aural travelogue of the Golden State. Buk and company take us to Bakersfield (”Johnny Cash,” “Spayed Cooley”), the Mexican border (”Filipino Dance Hall Girl,” “My Dwarf Is Getting Tired”) and the beatnik clubs (”Flathead One More Time,” “Can I Smoke Here?”). It’s a wild ride through another place and time, but Cooder keeps a steady, and trustworthy, hand on the wheel.—Gary Graff”

Three 6 Mafia - Last 2 Walk

“Winning a best original song Academy Award for “It’s Hard out Here for a Pimp” (from “Hustle & Flow”) didn’t exactly inspire a spirit of highbrow subtlety in the two remaining members of Memphis’ Three 6 Mafia. On “Last 2 Walk,” the group’s repeatedly delayed follow-up to 2005’s breakthrough “Most Known Unknown,” DJ Paul and Juicy J profess their interest in drugs on “Weed, Blow, Pills” and their affection for oral sex on “I’d Rather,” where the pair admit, “I love having sex, but I’d rather get some head.” Still, “Last 2 Walk” should satisfy longtime Three 6 fans. In addition to a handful of collaborative tracks with the likes of Akon and Good Charlotte, the set contains plenty of the woozily psychedelic hip-hop that made Paul and Juicy unlikely stars in the first place.—Mikael Wood”

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