Scott Morrow 
Shawn Lee’s Ping Pong Orchestra: Reel to Reel (Ubiquity, 7/17/12)
“BoomWack”
What would a month be without another release from über-instrumentalist Shawn Lee? Okay — his releases aren’t quite monthly, but with his Tabla Rock release in January, this “cine-funk” installment, and next week’s self-evidently themed Synthesizers in Space — not to mention another upcoming album with AM — 2012 is shaping up to be the year of the (guy in the) tiger (mask).
Enabler: All Hail the Void (Southern Lord, 7/17/12)
“Speechless”
Enabler may be a relatively “new” name in metalcore, but it’s full of proven parts, including two ex-members of Shai Hulud as well as ex-members of Trap Them, Today is the Day, Harlots, and more. Unfamiliar listeners may raise an eyebrow upon seeing Andy Hurley’s name listed, but the Fall Out Boy / The Damned Things drummer has long roots in hardcore, including a number of Midwest bands and a touring stint in Earth Crisis.
“Loco-Motive” f. Large Professor
Despite getting the highly successful collaboration with Damian Marley in 2010, fans have waited a good bit for a new solo album from Nasir Jones. Life is Good, a personal album with overt references to his split with Kelis, may or may not continue his platinum-selling streak — but it’s a return to form either way.
With Lions: Equipo (6/12/12)
Last month, vocalists and film/TV-score producers Christian Celaya and Woody Ranere — together as the cine-pop duo With Lions — delivered the second installment of an ambitious four-EPs-in-a-year cycle. And though the seven-song installment is an arty and orchestrated affair, make no mistake: Equipo is pop in its purest form.
