Album

While hanging out with calypso stars Mighty Sparrow and Lord Invader on the Trinidadian set of 1957's Fire Down Below, Mitchum hit on the idea of a cash-in album for Capitol execs eager to tap into the next big thing. Harry Belafonte aside, the craze didn't quite sweep, but old sourpuss' unlikely stab is commendable for its gusto, rum-cocktail swing and gentle innuendo (see "Tic Tic Tic"). Sinatra it ain't, but it sure beats Richard Harris.

Woodstock-era LPs from "Freedom" man

Difficult third album dilemma quashed by slow-burning Madison, Wisconsin quintet

Pop fun from Neko Case's twang-free other band

Former Third Eye Foundation man finally returns under his own name

Another fine rapper from Atlanta

More misery from Scots satirists

Rough and ready rarities package

Classy chill-out anthology follows hit formula

Lost folk treasure unearthed