100 Yard Dash, Raphael Saadiq, from The Way I See It (Sony BMG, streaming at myspace.com/raphaelsaadiq) An unstoppable groove built on a tumbling guitar line makes this one of the most habit-forming tracks from Saadiq's album-long tribute to old-school R&B. There's no chorus or bridge, but that's apt for a captive-love song about trying to run but being rooted to the spot.
Scattered and Small, Amelia Curran, from War Brides (Six Shooter Records, streaming at youtube.com) There's hope in the skipping lilt of this tune, though the words are all about taking chances that don't pay off. Amelia Curran is a singer from St. John's whose voice has the sound of faith and experience, in this bittersweet tune from her fifth album.
Winnipeg, Mike Ford, Canada Needs You, Volume Two (independent) Canada had its most revolutionary moment during the Winnipeg General Strike, an event little-documented by our artists and musicians. This summary in song by Toronto musician Mike Ford (whose voice sounds a bit like Morrissey's) celebrates the strikers with a danceable beat, a catchy tune, and a surprising amount of
detail.