Odd nosdam, the guy behind the phenomenal cLOUDDEAD releases, has returned with Burner, a solo album filled with atmospheric sounds, blown-out loops, heavy drums, and an impressive list of collaborators. Nosdam has cited Lee "Scratch" Perry, Prince Paul, and Flying Saucer Attack as influences, and it's not difficult to hear elements of their styles on the release. The album starts off with "Untitled One," a slow electronic loop topped with a variety of seemingly unrelated but perfectly fitting vocal samples from old movies. The song is then joined by a solid drum beat and several more melodic electronic layers. "Untitled Two" is more than eight minutes of fuzzed-out loops building and receding over wind and static noises that sound like rain. Its lazy feel is abruptly interrupted by a series of gunshots, presumably recorded by the artist outside of his Oakland apartment. The cut "11th Avenue Freakout Pt. 1" has a recording of a fella getting beat up while pleading, "I'm sorry." It's hard to listen to, but a reminder of how much it hurts to get beat up. The track "11th Avenue Freakout Pt. 2" features Mike Patton and well-placed drums that drop in and out. This is nosdam's second release in a row that is completely solid from beginning to end. You could defend yourself against an army of centaurs with this record. (Nate Denver)

Co-Deez
Royalty (Hella Records)

Well-rounded production and eclectic sounds of jazz, Afro-funk, ska, and hip-hop mix with infectious hooks, making nearly every track on Royalty a hit. "Rocksteady" transports listeners back in time to an underground speakeasy where they'll rub elbows with notorious mobsters and drink hooch while swinging the night away. "Final Round" plays like the soundtrack to the next tearjerker about life on the streets and relates to the CD's theme of representing the working class. Whether they're dealing with the continued struggle of people of color to advance in the workplace (on "Blue Collar") or the trials and tribulations of fighting the judicial system with no resources (on "Careful"), Co-Deez have redefined keeping it real. The tightness of their flow shows that producer-MC Otay Dubb and MC Sakima have been making music together since their junior high years. Their hard work has thrust them into the upper echelons of Bay Area hip-hop. (Jana Rogers)

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