Made under Paul Oakenfold’s reputable Perfecto label, Perfecto Presents Manuel Oettl (David Gresham) is the new album mixed by South African DJ Manuel Oettl, a resident at Gauteng nightclub Truth. Many local DJs bring out dance-mix CDs that are upbeat, fun to listen to and mixed well, but they often have a predictable sound (like the new Double Trouble 3 album). Oettl manages to create a striking session of beats, kicking off with the dark African sounds of the six-minute Cheza (Dark Dub) by Khaya featuring Mapumba. It’s clear from the start that this is no cheesy dance-anthem collection. The album has a deep edge to it, while being upbeat and progressive. The tracks are well chosen, drawing one in with layers of sound and snatches of vocals, mixed craftily into a sinuous, satisfying whole. Watch out for Different Gear’s entrancing A Little Bit Paranoid, the irresistible mix of Oakenfold’s Ready Steady Go, Timo Maas’s Help Me with spooky vocals by Kelis and Way Out West’s trance-house creation Stealth.
Johnny Fourie, Carlo Mombelli and Kevin Gibson: Solo, Duet , Trio (Sheer)
Three of South Africa’s finest jazz musicians have teamed up to record an album of mainly standards such as Autumn Leaves and My Funny Valentine. Fourie’s guitar playing is excellent, and the backing of Mombelli on bass and Gibson on drums is textured and moody. The album is mostly slow-paced and melancholy and evokes, with a sense of weary humour, images of worn-out nights and empty streets. There’s nothing new or experimental here, but the quality of the musicianship is a pleasure. — Matthew Wilhelm-Solomon
Fragma: Embrace (Gallo)
Commercial pop-dance from this German act. There’s nothing as lively as their hit Toca’s Miracle here, but it’s an easy listen, with many slower tracks, and four club mixes thrown together at the end. — Riaan Wolmarans
Jennifer Love Hewitt: Barenaked (Zomba)
It’s always a bit dangerous when film and TV celebrities decide to sing (think David Hasselhoff), but Hewitt fares reasonably well, despite not having a very distinctive voice. Produced by music star Meredith Brooks (who also co-wrote many of the tracks with Hewitt), Barenaked is less serious than Jewel and more grown-up than J-Lo, but it is too slight to be a strong, impressive album. — Riaan Wolmarans
Bonnie Tyler: Heart Strings (EMI)
She was lost in France, now she’s lost her mind. Calling this elevator music would be a compliment. The Eighties star with the raspy voice and the City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra cover songs by artists like REM, Bruce Springsteen and even U2 in a sorry, soppy manner. It’s sacrilege. — Riaan Wolmarans
Various: Double Trouble 3 (Sheer)
Local crowd-favourite DJs Dizzy and Surge return with jump-up, hands-up party house that’s sure to satisfy their fans. It doesn’t break any borders with its predictable uplifting house beats, but it certainly won’t bring the dance floor to a standstil either. Included are current club anthems such as Brooklyn Bounce’s Bring It Back and Cosmic Gate’s The Wave. — Riaan Wolmarans
Various: A Different Way (Sony)
The SPCA is always in dire need of money, and this is its latest fund-raising project. It’s a chance to give money and receive something in return, in this case a selection of 18 cover songs that are mostly good (Wet Wet Wet’s Love Is All Around, Des’ree and Babyface’s Fire, Shawn Colvin’s Every Little Thing He Does Is Magic) with a few clunkers (Celine Dion belting out All By Myself, Michael Bolton whining through Sittin’ on the Dock of the Bay). But hey, it’s for the cats and dogs, so buy it anyway. — Riaan Wolmarans