Though his parents are Indian and he was born in England, Talvin Singh isn't claimed by either cultural heritage. In England he's considered Indian, while in India he's viewed as a Brit. But Singh feels this cultural fence-straddling lends itself to flexibility, not exclusion. He likens himself -- a

Clever, Composed, Eclectic, Hypnotic, Jungle/drum 'n' bass, Layered

Henry Threadgill's music might best be described by the name of his band: Very Very Circus. His circus of sound combines traditional jazz instruments with strings, accordions, and tubas, and integrates influences from Mexico, Asia, Europe, and elsewhere. Out of this eccentric multiplicity emerges an

Collage, Composed, Contemporary/downtown, Eclectic, Layered, Polychromatic, Sophisticated

It's 1959, and the Beatles, the most famous rock 'n' roll band in the history of the universe, are just a four-cell fetus gestating in the backwaters of Liverpool, England. They aren't even called the Beatles yet. Time-lapse to 1960: the wunderkinder are now a year old and have toddled as far as Hamb

Composed, Dreamy, Eclectic, Psychedelic, Smart, Smarty arty pop

Rachel's is a so-called punk band that plays chamber music. Or is it a chamber music ensemble that plays in punk clubs? Either way, the band's music is fresh -- the rich harmonics of acoustic violas, cello, and piano, oddly combined with the bar chatter and dive ambiance of alternative venues, add up

Composed, Elegant, Punk, Quirky