Celso Fonseca is a Brazilian singer-songwriter who has worked with the likes of Caetano Veloso, Milton Nascimento and Gilberto Gil, as well as appearing on Bebel Gilberto's worldwide hit Tanto Tempo. Billed as his first international album, Natural is a pleasant affair of light bossa/samba, laidback in style and chilled-out in performance. The problem is that no translation of the lyrics is provided, which makes the "international" claim puzzling Mood music at best, then, for non-Brazilians.

Live album recorded in Chicago on Independence Day 1988

Promising debut from Bay Area moodsmith Jason Lakis

Former boxer 50 Cent already has a bloody history, having been stabbed in his studio in 2000 and shortly afterwards shot nine times while sitting in a parked car. There's no sense of community on this unapologetic throwback to straight-assed songs about guns, girls and drugs which has already sold nearly a million copies in America. Musically, the standout is the Dr Dre-produced "In Da Club," which, with its grim, joyless concentration on pleasure echoed by the death knell of its orchestral sample, could be the converse of Nelly's anthemic "Hot In Herre". His macho

Tenth album from actor, singer and one-time Mr Julia Roberts

Whitehouse now comprise just William Bennett and Philip Best, but the title track of what may be their finest record is a harrowing 15-minute cut-up of voices talking emotionally about child abuse, rape and murder with discreet accompaniment, assembled in Chicago by outgoing third member Peter Sotos and guest producer Steve Albini.

Bewildering debut album from Southend-based oddball

First UK release for NYC singer/guitarist/multi-instrumentalist responsible for immortal The Moray Eels Eat The Space Needle LP

'Lost' English power pop album from early '90s featuring Rick "Orgone Box" Corcoran

Respected Texan troubadour's eighth album