Al McKibbon,

The 85-year-old McKibbon can be heard in the background on albums such as Dizzy Gillespie's "In Paris," Thelonious Monk's "Genius of Modern Music, Vol. 1," and many Miles Davis albums. This is his second release.

FOLK
"Educated Guess," Ani DiFranco,
Label: Righteous Babe

Inspirational folk songstress, known for her politically charged lyrics and unique acoustic guitar style, releases her 19th full-length album - and she's only 33.

COUNTRY
"Greenhorn," Oakhurst,
Label: Big Bender

Oakhurst, a Denver-based group with bluegrass roots, describes itself as "porch music." The acoustic quintet formed in 1999 and releases its second full-length album today.

RAP
"Best of Capone," Capone,
Label: Familia

Capone was born and raised in Los Angeles and is one of the area's most successful Latino rappers. He formed his own label, "Latino Jam," in 1998 and has worked with other artists such as Method Man.

"Radio Pet Fencing," MC Lars Horris,
Label: Truck

"Straight Outta Stockholm," as the artist's Web site proclaims, has this Swedish rapper playing guitar. This is his first album and will give critics and fans alike a chance to see if he's as fluent in rhythm as he is in English.

ROCK
"Cellar Door," John Vanderslice,
Label: Barsuk

Former guitarist and lead singer from experimental pop band MK Ultra releases his fourth solo album. Vanderslice has become an important figure in the indie-rock scenes of many large U.S. cities, including San Francisco.

"Songs We Should Have Written," Firewater,
Label: Jetset

This New York-based alternative rock band is known for its cynical lyrics about death. But it's still something you can dance to. You might remember the New York underground group, Cop Shoots Cop - Firewater features former Cop Shoots Cop bassist, Tod A., on vocals.

"Leave Your Name," Statistics,
Label: Jade Tree

This experimental indie-rock group was formed by Desaparecidos guitarist Denver Dalley. Dalley recorded a self-titled EP for Jade Tree last summer and the label loved it so much, they picked the band right up. Their first album debuts today.