Music: Aloe Blacc, Good Things

I like that Aloe Blacc has given his album such an upbeat title. You might even be fooled into thinking that the songs are all about, well, good things. Oh well done Aloe. In fact, with his gorgeous melted chocolate voice, Aloe Blacc speaks his piece on unemployment, homelessness, alcoholism and twisted politicians. Good things!

With the recession still resonating with listeners here and across the pond, the anthemic and tragic single, 'I Need a Dollar,' has been a huge hit all over. It's vaguely reminiscent of an old spiritual - a soulful protest song. 'Politician' is a funky fight song, while 'Hey Brother' features a wicked wah-wah slap bass. Good Things is a sort of homegrown, rootsy old-school funky soul record, which is safe enough not to ruffle too many feathers when you play it in your car.

With all of this in mind, I wasn't tempted to drown my sorrows or crawl back under the covers after listening to the album. Blacc's delicious voice, accompanied by some funky bass, cheerful trumpets and class-A 'shoopers', makes this a joy to hear. If anything, I was moved to utter a few 'amens' in solidarity with Blacc's struggles. He even borrows from Buffalo Springfield's 'Stop Children What's that Sound,' if you're a fan.

My rating: **** 4/5 stars

Reccommendation: Preach it, Aloe! You'll love this if you're a fan of soul, funk or the 50s-esque stylings of Amy Winehouse and friends.

Music: Mocean Worker

So, here's my salute *salutes* to Mocean Worker aka MoWo aka Adam Dorn.

Yes. This man is a one-stop jazz-funk-swing-electronica-triphop-dance madman and I love him!

To date, MoWo has released 4 full albums, of which his best are Cinco de MoWo! and Enter the MoWo! It is impossible to hear this music and not be carried by a massive impulse straight to the nearest dance floor/empty room/field/car park for a good old dance. And it's also bloody good driving music, too. Although, watch your speedo!

Let's start with probably MoWo's most well known track, Tres Tres Chic. The single appeared on the hit film The Devil Wears Prada which featured Anne Hathaway and Meryl Streep. With a cast lke that, it needed a stellar soundtrack to match, and with MoWo, that is what you get. The track encorporates a little funk, jazz and still retains a very contemporary electronic style. It's an easy song to listen to and doesn't invade your ear drums and yet, with neat little piano and electric organ samples dotted throughout the mock-French lyrics, you cannot help but listen to it.

Cinco de MoWo! moves away from the very relaxed to the uptempo electronic dance sampling of Chicka Boom Boom, Shake ya Boogie and Right Now. These tracks are all stand out dancey tunes that you have to move your feet to. They each take samples from bossa nova beats, crackly jazz records and sensational saxohphone and trumpet licks. And each track also lays down a heavy beat that bumps in your car or on your stereo. I honestly just have to get up and move.

Recent work has been more on the modern dance side of the fence, but still holds on to those crackly 50s jazz recording samples. It seems that MoWo is reaching out to a more continental audience with his latest stuff, but don't abandon the old for the new. This guy is seriously talented. He makes solid gold, likeable, danceable tunes. You should definately head on over to his website right now and watch the video for Shake Ya Boogie. You won't be disappointed. Enter the MoWo!

Website: www.moceanworker.com
Myspace: www.myspace.com/mowomoceanworker
LastFm: http://www.last.fm/music/Mocean+Worker