Sun Ra "Visits Planet Earth/Interstellar Low Ways" (1992)

While this reissue is from 92, these albums were originally recorded in the 50s.  This is great for that friend who thinks that Sun Ra is just too craaaazy to listen to.  This is all just tight straight ahead jazz.

Breakestra "Hit The Floor" (2005)

This is yet another totally fine albums.  Nothing wrong with it.  But it's just a bit too mediocre.

Nomo "Ghost Rock" (2008)

What happens when art music meets dance music?  Here's one example. 

It's interesting stuff, though somehow not as good as any of the parts. 

Sun Ra "Lanquidity" (1978)

True to form, Lanquidity doesn't sound like other records from 1978.  There's a deep underlying groove, with horns layered on top.  It sounds like it could have been recorded just last week.

The John Renbourn Group "A Maid in Bedlam" (1977)

As Renbourn attempts to out retro everyone else (he went far back long before the Mighty Boosh), this can be heard as a album of Pentangle influences.  It's beautiful stuff, but clearly not for everyone.

Dungen "Four" (2008)

Dungen's records sound like you've heard them before.  That is, you've heard the parts before.  Imagine you took popular music & incidental music from the late 60s & early 70s & sliced & diced it.  Then add lyrics in a singularly impenetrable tongue.  That's what it sounds like to me.  It's fascinating stuff, but to my ears rooted too much in the novelty of what it is.

Various "Choubi! Choubi!" (2005)

The difference between this type of collection and most of the Asian collections is simple.  This is not a collection of people trying to cover American music.  This is the music that was the pop music of the country itself.  It's wild and weird in a totally different way.  Your reaction will vary according to how you personally respond to the rules of this music.