Luaka Bop's Three Inches of Music

The Three Inches of Music Series, a trio of three track samplers, kicks off with equal measures of psychedelic sing-alongs (Terror Pigeon Dance Revolt), soulful samba (Marcio Local) and the sweet sad musings of a suicidal sixteen year-old (Yonlu). The 3 Inches on 5-inch discs will be sold separately, each in their own crystal clear jewel boxes.

The Terror Pigeon Dance Revolt is a never- ending romp of a dance party; looped pianos and saxes race on top of crappy synths and ill beats, and like twenty vocal takes (seriously, like totally rivaling Broken Social Scene status) are mixed in there somewhere.

Yonlu revealed just a fraction of his talent for experimentalism and a capacity to create delicate melancholy melodies before taking his own life at age 16, leaving behind works that are something between Badly Drawn Boy, Tortoise and Nick Drake.

Marcio Local is a sexy samba beast and he has the hairy chest to prove it. His soulful style recalls Jorge Ben and his band is fully outfitted to rock with drums, guitar, bass, sax, trombone, trumpet and loads of percussion. The album was produced by Mario Caldato of Beastie Boys fame.

Here's an introductory taste of this trio.