What the Creative Loafing music team is rocking out to this Monday to get us through the day and rocket launch the week…

– Damian Marley & Nas, Distant Relatives (2010)

I spent last week looking back at some album’s I may have missed in 2010 and ended up spinning Nas & Damian Marley’s Distant Relatives in my car quite a few times. Their collaboration on “Road To Zion” from 2005’s Welcome to Jamrock was awesome, and Relatives is no different. They never outshine each other; instead letting lyrics regarding poverty, illiteracy, and their observations on the world at large take center stage. What’s most surprising – and refreshing –is the pair’s willingness to talk about religion without getting preachy. Throw in samples of Mulatu Astatke and David Ze, guest spots from Lil’ Wayne and Stephen Marley, and you’ve got an album that I wish I never would’ve slept on.

Leilani – Monday new music auditions: Innerpartysystem, Never Be Content EP (out 2/22/11 digital, 3/29/11 physical on Red Bull Records), Skybombers, Black Carousel (out 3/29/11 on 429 Records); Loch Lomond, Little Me Will Start A Storm (out 2/22/11 via Tender Loving Empire); Elk, Let's Get Married (out 2/15/11 on Shape Up Records)

Trying to figure out what will be my next musical obsession, going through various random releases I've received via mail and checking out the music of bands I've received download codes for to see if they're worth my time and hard drive space. Innerpartysystem is electronica with heavy synths, nothing too fancy or memorable. Australia's Skybombers purvey garage rock marked by organ grooves. A bit slick, but worth at least one more spin. Loch Lomond is folkish rootsy chamber pop-flavored something or another, the vocal harmonies pretty, the instrumentals lush. Elk is the dreamy electronic bedroom project of Justin Stein. Interest is piqued, but not sure I like it yet. Check out "Honey Range" after the jump.

This article appears in Feb 3-9, 2011.