Portishead Portishead

Using the postmodern torch music of Portishead as a foundation, Lamb spin out into new sonic territories on their eponymous debut album. The group sports a heavier techno influence, incorporating the buzzing rhythms of drum'n'bass into their music in particular, yet they cut their modernistic electronic influences with a dark sense of melodicism. Most of the album is devoted to jazzy songs that are broken apart by Andy Barlow's synthesizers and sampler and are anchored by Louise Rhodes' seductive vocals, which prevent the electronics from becoming cold. It's sophisticated urban music, one that's miles away from the avant-garde sensibilities of Tricky and the haunted romanticism of Portishead, or even the pop leanings of Sneaker Pimps and the soul-inflected grooves of Morcheeba…

Universal TV UK's Connected: '90s 12" Mixes features 36 cuts over three discs culled from the clove-smoked DJ bins of the mainstream '90s. Using the instantly recognizable four-note jam from the Stereo MC's as its impetus and lead-off cut, Connected collects all of the extended versions that listeners were duped into buying during the age of the CD-single, like eight minutes of the Soup Dragons' "I'm Free," a remix of Deee-Lite's "Groove Is in the Heart," and the bass loop version of Stone Roses' "Fools Gold," resulting in an overly long trip (pub crawl) down memory lane that would have been fine had it been streamlined into a single disc. Sadly, no drugs or light sticks are included.

Caro Emerald came out of nowhere in 2009 with the summertime hit "Back It Up," a catchy jazz-pop song with a dance beat. The follow-up single, "A Night Like This," was an even bigger hit, topping the Dutch charts. By the time Deleted Scenes from the Cutting Room Floor came around, Emerald was well established as one of the most exciting new artists to emerge from the Netherlands in some time, and her full-length album debut was eagerly awaited. It includes the smash hit singles "Back It Up" and "A Night Like This," both written by Vincent de Giorgio, David Schreurs, and Jan van Wieringen. The latter two Dutchmen are Emerald's producers.