by Troy Carrington, Andrea Rodricks, and Lance Walker

Various Artists
Bi the People
It’s got pop/rock, folk, dance, punk, jazz, and blues music. It’s got new and previously released tracks from Jill Sobule, Melissa Ferrick, Skott Freedman, Bitch & Animal, Pansy Division, Erin Hamilton, American Idol's Jim Verraros, Tom Robinson, and more! Bi the People is a benefit compilation featuring major and independent label artists donating proceeds to The Bisexual Foundation (www.bisexual.org), a national nonprofit organization based in San Diego, California. The compilation is being released under Violent Yodel Records (www.vyrecords.com), an independent record label home to 24-year-old singer/songwriter and bisexual activist Skott Freedman (www.skottfreedman.com), who is also Bi the People’s producer. Available October 21. —Troy Carrington

Rufus Wainwright
Want One
Want One, produced by Marius deVries (Madonna, Bjork), is Rufus Wainwright’s most expansive record to date. Moments move from the bombastic pomp of Gershwin and Ravel on “Oh What a World” to the tender “Natasha” to the sadly beautiful “Dinner at 8.” Thematically, the album is regretful but ultimately optimistic. Poses, Wainwright’s previous album, was largely made up of songs the openly gay singer/songwriter had discarded for his debut album and songs he had worked out on the road. The majority of Want’s tunes were written in a two-month burst of creativity. Thirty songs were recorded, and those that didn’t make Want One will be on a follow-up to be released by DreamWorks sometime in 2004 and tentatively titled Want Two. From DreamWorks Records (www2.dreamworksrecords.com/flash). For more info: www.rufuswainwright.com. —TC

Kevin Aviance
Entity
OOOOH boy, Kevin Aviance is a candy you’ll find tasty, a candy that doesn’t melt away. OK, I’m taking that from his own words, but this boy is a diva of unparalleled flair that begs you to “blow me, blow me away….” The openly gay Aviance has found a way to carve out for himself a hunk of charisma and panache that is really significant considering where he grew up. I mean he wears silver girdles, black fingernails, and shiny metallic lipstick—a look which probably didn’t go over incredibly well in his hometown of Richmond, Virginia. He figured that out pretty quick, too, and after a short stay in Miami, he relocated to New York, where his flamboyance and showmanship have taken off tenfold. As for the music, the tracks are dancey, housey—really almost predictable, but what this boy could do onstage ... hmmm. I think you just need to check him out. Your worst nightmare and your finest dream. From Emerge Records (www.centaurmusic.com). —Lance Walker

Hamell on Trial
Tough Love
New York singer-songwriter Ed Hamell, who performs under the name Hamell on Trial, has built a following as a high-intensity performer with his punk rock-influenced acoustic music. This time around, on his first release for Ani Difranco’s Righteous Babe Records, Hamell, known for defying all musical categories, incorporates stories and unbridled rants. "Hail" is an emotionally charged track drawing attention to Tina Brandon, Brian Deneke and Matthew Shepard, who all meet in heaven to celebrate their new home, where "we can be who we want to be." Hamell’s trademark of pushing the envelope on modern music is alive and kicking on his latest release. From Righteous Babe Records (www.righteousbabe.com). For more info: www.hamellontrial.com. —Andrea Rodricks

Soundtrack
Party Monster
This 19-track collection is a mix of electro-dance music celebrating the period of the film Party Monster as well as classic ’80s dance music from the era. Party Monster is the story of the rise and murderous fall of club promoter Michael Alig (played by Macaulay Culkin), and based on the documentary of the same name and on Disco Bloodbath, the book by James St. James (portrayed by Seth Green). The film’s openly gay directors, Fenton Baily and Randy Barbato, are no strangers to the material, being the same team who created the award-winning documentary. Essential to the film, the soundtrack includes such current electronic cuts as Ladytron’s “Seventeen,” “Frank Sinatra” from Miss Kitten & the Hacker, and “Crash” from Keoki, who is played in the film by Wilmer Valderrama of That ’70s Show. The film’s anthem, “Money, Success, Fame, Glamour,” is performed by Felix Da Housecat vs. The Pop Tarts, featuring Culkin, Green, and Chloe Sevigny on vocals. Also included is “The La La Song” by Marilyn Manson, who plays transsexual club star Christina in the film. From TVT Soundtrax (www.tvtrecords.com). —TC

Brother Love Canal
I Wanna F--k
The cover precurses the record with the public service announcement: “WARNING: OBSCENE PROPOSAL INSIDE.” Of course, that obscene proposal would be tied in to the title of this single, and this coed trio of Canucks makes no bones about it. In the same tradition as 2 Live Crew’s “Me So Horny,” which made the rounds some 14 years earlier, “I Wanna F--k” is destined to become a club hit, perhaps most popular late in the evening when boys and girls are heading to their cars to oblige Brother Love Canal in their obscene proposal. Self-released (www.brotherlovecanal.com). —LW

Aretha Franklin
So Damn Happy
The voice is instantly recognizable, for there is truly no other voice like it. A national treasure, she is the undisputed Queen of Soul, and one listen to Aretha Franklin’s So Damn Happy leaves no doubt why her reign continues through ever-changing musical times. The collection of songs Queen Aretha personally chose for this album contain messages of hope (“Holdin’ On”), empowerment (“Good News”), and happiness (“Wonderful,” “So Damn Happy). Of course, there are those songs that address the ups and downs of love. “Everybody’s Somebody’s Fool” addresses the everyday ins and outs, down-to-earth realities of relationships. “Ain’t No Way” is a personal Franklin statement on her own stance in dealing with matters of the heart, while the classic pop-flavored ballad “Falling Out of Love” (produced and co-written by Burt Bacharach) deals with the end of a love affair. Mary J. Blige is featured on two songs. From Arista Records (www.arista.com). For more info: www.sodamnhappy.com. —TC

Jeff Buckley
Live at Sin-é—Legacy Edition
Posthumous releases are always a bit scraped together, whether it be the fact that the artist didn’t have enough material to make for a tangible release or that there just wasn’t enough time to put things together right. That isn’t so much the case here, in this collection of live solo performances from the Sin-é Café in New York—these were very well-planned and thought out as a set of recordings for Columbia Records. At the time of these performances in 1993, his career was just beginning and his only full-length album, Grace, had yet to be recorded. That is the beauty of this collection for a true Jeff Buckley fan—the songs are raw, spastic, and provide a snapshot of his developing songwriting talents. It’s all there—the banter in between songs, the repeated attempts at nailing down cover song riffs (sometimes with help from the audience), and, probably most important, the mistakes. It makes for a delicate tribute to an artist whose untimely death in 1997 shook the music world, and shows us that even at his most raw, delicate, and vulnerable, he was always learning, creating, and honing in on something great. From Columbia Records (www.legacyrecordings.com). —LW

Saeed & Palash
Addictive Beats
Various Artists hear.
Star 69 Entertainment of New York has put together two massive compilations of artists from all over in these concurrent releases. • Addictive Beats: Immigrant DJs Saeed (Iraq) and Palash (Bangladesh) each fill up an entire CD’s worth of space remixing and compiling to the end of a continuous string of beats that carry throughout each of these full-length discs. • hear.: CAFETERIA is an eatery in Miami, Florida, that has been known for years for the innovative and rare chill/lounge music piped through its speakers. A sister/brother restaurant has now opened in the Chelsea area of New York and, in response to the patrons of the original restaurant, a CD has been released featuring the music that patrons have so long adored. Hear. is a 15-track excursion highlighted by Yoko Ono’s brilliant piece “Walking on Thin Ice,” remixed by Peter Rauhofer in a tizzy of 1970s-era synthesizers and the gorgeous spoken-word atonal female voice that takes you through its lesson plan. From Star 69 Records (www.star69records.com). —LW

Shelby Lynne
Identity Crisis
Grammy Award-winning artist Shelby Lynne returns with an amazing new album. This fiercely independent female vocalist wrote, tracked, and produced her latest release Identity Crisis. It encompasses several genres of music, all held together by her soulful voice, beautiful guitar, and an irresistibly unique blend of country. Her creativity and versatility have led her to expand her sound incorporating elements of blues, soul, gospel, rock, and even big-band jazz. From Capitol Records (www.hollywoodandvine.com). For more info: www.shelbylynne.com —AR

Original Cast Recording
Hank Williams: Lost Highway
Hank Williams: Lost Highway is a musical celebrating the legacy of the uncrowned king of country music. Raised on honky-tonk and moonshine, Hank Williams grew up to be the world’s most famous cowboy crooner. He poured heartache into his songs which, ingeniously fusing blues and Southern folk, touched millions through their spare poetry. The hit musical had a critically acclaimed and sold-out run at the Manhattan Ensemble Theater before its off-Broadway commercial transfer to the Little Shubert Theater. The show received an Obie Award, two Lucille Lortel Award nominations, three Outer Critics Circle Award nominations, a Drama Desk Award nomination, and an honor from the Drama League. From Fynsworth Alley (www.fynsworthalley.com). —TC

Tonehenge
Tonehenge
Tonehenge, the brainchild of vocalist and cellist Mystic Pete (Peter Ludwig), boasts the vocals of Argentinean-born singer Ana Robles, who has backed Luis Miguel of recent Naked Music fame and Gloria Estefan. On certain tracks, Mystic Pete marries the Euro-techno sound with the American experience, as exemplified on “The Raver.” Dawnia Carlson, lead singer on “The One,” might be likened to dance divas Amber or Deborah Cox. From Sound Designs International. For more info: www.tonehenge.com. —TC