CD Selections
by Neil Atherton

New Order
“Get Ready”
(London)
Following the tragic demise of Joy Division in the 1980s and the chaotic closure of the Hacienda in the ’90s, Manchester’s New Order have done pretty well to stay together all these years, let alone release a record as good as “Get Ready.” As their first studio album in eight years, it doesn’t disappoint their tradition for making pointless pop tunes with catchy bass lines and plaintive, oddly rhyming lyrics. Look at the first single “Crystal”: “Love — it’s like honey, you can’t buy it with money.” But what the song lacks in literary genius, it makes up for in terms of hypnotic hum factor. And that’s what Bernard Sumner, Peter Hook, Stephen Morris and Gillian Gilbert still know how to do so well. “Republic Pt. 2” is nowhere in sight — the keyboards and programming are more discreet than they used to be — and out is Arthur Baker’s electronic influence, in are ex-Smashing Pumpkin Billy Corgan and Primal Scream’s Bobby Gillespie, contributing to a leaner, punkish rock’n’roll element. Along with Sumner’s auspicious, choppy guitar riffs, the sunny, feel-good times are back in the Mancunian’s hearts. They’re ready for the new order, are you? Out now

Roots Manuva
“Run Come Save Me”
(Big Dada)
Rodney Smith has a familiar voice. Pangs of recognition flood the ear, under the spell of his Jamaican, patois-style meter. You may have heard him rap on Leftfield’s “Dusted,” or on his debut LP “Brand New Second Hand.” But most likely, the familiarity originates in the appeal of a voice that you know sounds just right at what it does. Rodney Smith is, of course, better known as Roots Manuva — UK hip hop’s chief exponent since his aforementioned sophomore record hit the shelves in 1998. That album proved to be a blue-print of what was to come from the modest south Londoner, who is more akin to consuming “ten pints of bitter” and “cheese on toast” than a magnum of Cristal and a hot tub over-flowing with hoez. Mixing alien, dance-hall dub and sub-bass sonic preaching, Smith’s wit and honesty revel in the most unlikely observations. Drawn from an inner-city soundscape littered with aural oddities, audio references to spaceships and interplanetary weirdness are the staple components to the experimental, innovative nature of his lo-fi approach to making music. Deeper and more textured than simply rhyming over dislocated beats cut up by a DJ, an elaborately powerful musical direction suggests Roots Manuva is as virtuous a producer as he is an MC. And that’s saying something. Out Sept 3

Ursula Rucker
“Supa Sista”
(!K7)
Think of a female Gill-Scott Heron or even a more soulful, less pious Lauryn Hill and you’re not far from a good description of Ursula Rucker. Strong-willed in her philosophy toward the feminine condition and determined to throw out the conceited stereotype of female recording artists undressing to succeed, Ursula’s message suggests that sisters are doing it, and doing it for themselves. Hailing from Philadelphia, her spoken-word vocal style has become a sought-after feature on countless albums — including Japan’s Silent Poets — as the East Coast urban-soul explosion continues to spread. From the live hip hop of the Roots, to the French funk of Paris’ new boy on the block, Alexkid, her speaking parts have added a poetic vision to an extensive portfolio of guest slots. On her first solo album “Supa Sista,” the producers return the favor, with credits rolling in from UK outfit 4 Hero, Philly resident King Britt and the ubiquitous Alexkid. Recorded in London, Paris and the US, the aura of each continent is captured in a melange of sensual grooves and poetic flow. Some smooth verses are laid down by Mike Daniels (aka MAD), and U-Love gets into it on “What???” — but it is Ursula’s political conscience and clever tie-ins to social inequalities that make this record a real urban prophecy. Out Sept 3

N*E*R*D
“In Search Of…”
(Virgin)
Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo believe in Einstein’s theory that energy doesn’t die. It transforms and passes on to something or somewhere else. That’s why the Virginia-based duo changed their name from The Neptunes to N*E*R*D — or No-one Ever Really Dies. Under their former moniker, they produced hits for the cream of US rap and R&B acts, including Jay-Z, Ol’ Dirty Bastard and Kelis, gaining a lot of respect along the way. Now the studio wizards are branching out as artists in their own right — a sideline that could soon become a headline. Their first single “Lapdance” — an attack on a politician’s habit of flagrantly accepting money — has already showed off the raunchy, energetic sleaziness of new album “In Search Of...” and is a forerunner to the psychedelic soul-meets-’70s-rock fusion, that artists willing to break the mainstream mold are currently so fond of. With a musical awareness approaching that of Stevie Wonder’s and a deviance to match that of Sly Stone’s, the potential to become bigger than the acts they’ve already helped make big, is looking huge. Out Sept 3

Also This Month…
Roger Sanchez “First Contact” (Sony) Surprisingly, the first solo album from one of dance music’s most prolific producer/remixers. Out Sept 11

Björk “Vespertine” (Barclay) Long-awaited follow-up to “Homogenic,” from the Icelandic fairy queen (if you don’t include Selma Songs, that is). Out now

Jamiroquai “A Funk Odyssey” (Sony) Another funky little number from Jay K & co. where he sings really, really high and dances in his big, big hat. Out Sept 4
Joceil’s Boy “This Is Joceil’s Boy” (Oobabadoo Records) Spoken jazz from Rich Herstek, dealing in Ken Nordine-style stories of man, woman and NYC.

Dax Riders “Back In Town” (Universal) Mix-tape concept album from the French house chieftains of cheese. Sept 11