Various Artists "Eighteenth Street Lounge: The Soundtrack" (Eighteenth Street Lounge 9) The subtitle says "Volume One" and Vik can't wait for volume two. Who would've thought Washington, D.C. would produce music this hip? The crew behind Eighteenth Street Lounge are better known as the Thievery Corporation - a dub-hop-EZ duo producing some of the freshest dance floor/mood sounds today. This collection is a glimpse into the future of dance/lounge - a crossroad where the beats are free, friendly and EZ and the influence ranges from samba to jazz to reggae. Many of the current "lounge movement" turn the noses up at "techno/dance music" claiming those who make music on "computers and samplers" have no soul. Well, slap this platter on and talk to Vik about soul. Make up your own mind with selections in Real Audio at Radio Vik. Various Artists "Swingin' Cheese" (Irma 488689) OK, so you want something a bit more retro? Then dive into the cheesy, baby. Irma is quickly becoming one of Vik's fave labels (not a dud in the bunch yet) usually focusing on the Italian side of the late '60s and '70s. This time around, though, they've hit the shores of America like some hipster Chris Columbus and discovered swellness in the form of "croon tunes and kitscherama." This is definitely bargain bin material...tracks no lazy, uninformed U.S. major label would ever think to put on a CD. Irma, thankfully, is not uninformed. So, one gets Percy Faith's smokin' "Oye Como Va', the ultra suave Engelbert Humperdinck warbling "Quando Quando Quando", Woody Herman meets the Doors in "Light My Fire" and even a rhumba version of Beethoven from Jules Ruben. This only scratches the surface of a fabulous 16 track collection. For those who like something different, cheesy and kitschy, it's certainly a must have. Drop on over to Radio Vik for a listen.