Back in print! Compiled by AD founder Justin Gage, Atenção!: Novos Sons do Brasil is not your typical Brazilian music compilation. These ten songs capture a new wave of musicians who are reinterpreting their country’s musical heritage in bold and divergent ways, generations removed from the familiar sounds of breezy bossas or psychedelic tropicália.

Common One was the album Van Morrison had been trying to make for ten years. It would mark the furthest he had moved away from the sounds of Astral Weeks, while still maintaining the sonic and literary craftsmanship of the legendary session. The blues and soul records that shaped Morrison’s musical upbringing were still present.

As a producer and arranger, Stepney was at the helm for incredible ’60s and ’70s work with Earth, Wind & Fire, Rotary Connection, The Dells, Muddy Waters, Minnie Riperton, Ramsey Lewis, Terry Callier, and many more before his passing in 1976. But on Step on Step, a mind-blowing new collection from International Anthem, a new vision of Stepney emerges: that of a home recording genius.

Stringed-thing wizard, and tireless sonic explorer, Joseph Allred’s new album The Rambles & Rags of Shiloh, is a collection of 10 gorgeous instrumental works for acoustic guitar and banjo.

On their new LP the Australian quintet digs into the laidback ethos of breezy coastal funk. Like a 70s surf soundtrack with drum breaks, the twelve pieces assembled for their third record finds Surprise Chef charting the ebb and flow of tidal groove with an added emphasis on the need to get up and move.

Just about 12 years into their trip, Bitchin Bajas just seem to get better and better. The Chicago trio has just released Bajascillators — and this new four-song collection is perhaps the most skilled and absorbing distillation of their sound yet. Things kick off with “Amorpha,” the kosmische groove strong right out of the gate, jewel-like textures swimming through the mix — this is undoubtedly a record that rewards headphone listeners.

Originally self-released in 1974, and resurrected last month via Scissor Tail Records. The skilled 12-string fingerpicking is perhaps the main draw, but don’t skip the vocal numbers, with Emory finding a fully-hazed If I Could Only Remember My Name / Gary Higgins sweet spot.

Listening to this phenomenal collection of Velvet Underground prehistory, it’s fairly mind-boggling how fast Lou Reed and John Cale moved in the earliest stages of their creative partnership. Less than a year after these acoustic demos were made, the pair were in the studio recording the epochal Velvet Underground & Nico — an LP whose reverberations are still being felt today.