Bobby McFerrin's voice scours the vast horizon of sound. Though he's only one man, he routinely transforms himself into a five-piece band, a skilled soprano, or a trio of tribal-sounding chanters singing in harmony. His voice can replicate the sound of almost any instrument, from the delicate whistle

Bright, Eclectic, Improvised, Layered, Playful

Complete with absurd melodies, speedy jungle beats, and progressive jazz accompaniments, Squarepusher's quirky brand of drum 'n' bass breaks free from the genre's mainstream definition. Considered the father of the "spunk jazz" movement, Squarepusher (Tom Jenkinson) rejects the groovy hip-hop flavor

Dense, Eclectic, Jungle/drum 'n' bass, Manic, Playful, Quirky

While no doubt enjoying a certain Japanese sensibility -- after all, that accent broadcasts their linguistic and cultural heritage -- Cibo Matto fancy themselves downtown New Yorkers. And it's true that the duo, composed of Miho Hatori and Yuka Honda, employ a minimum of the usual Japanese pop tropes

Bubblicious, Eclectic, Playful, Pop, Quirky, Smart, Smarty arty pop

Reluctant rock star and style-transcending musical pioneer, Beck burst onto the scene in 1994 with his critically acclaimed album "Mellow Gold." Its oddball folk-rap hit, "Loser," struck a chord with a Dylanesque slide guitar, psychedelic samples, a hip-hop beat, and the catchy refrain, "I'm a loser

Citational, Clean, Ebullient, Playful, Pop, Smarty arty pop