The times, they are a changing. But, if you’re like me, you don’t really know what to make of it all.

Still though, there was and is lots of good music floating around – it’s just harder to find.  The music industry, and the listeners along with it, are in a state of confusion. The problem, I figure, lies in the fact that radio listenership is down 18 percent from 1998 among 18- to 24-year olds. People no longer make trips to the local music store. Finding music has been reduced to a solitary pursuit, scattered among the millions of blogs, MySpace pages, message boards, online music magazines, and endless commentary. There are no singular tastemakers, no all-powerful all-reaching influencers like there used to be. That leaves music fans drawing numbers out of a hat. And everyone’s drawing a different number.

Maybe it’s just me, living in a big city, surrounded by all different cultures and tastes, but when I ask anyone what kind of music they’re into, invariably, I’ll have no idea what they’re talking about. It could be I’m just out of touch, spending too much time with dusty vinyl and golden-era hip-hop.

For those not able to make sense of the new music landscape (or without the url to Turntable Lab), I’ve prepared a list of some of my favorite releases as of late. With the exception of the Metro Area LP, all came out in 2008, although at only about 10 titles deep, not complete or well thought out enough for a best-of-the-year-list. Hopefully, you can find that special something for that special someone, or a few new tacks to accompany you on your holiday travels.

Download “Gold” Dam Funk – Rhythm Trax Vol. 4, Stones Throw

Download “Can We Hang Out Tonight” Count Bass D – L7 (Mid-Life Crisis), 1320

Download “Apples and Pears” Canyons – The Lovermore EP, Hole in the Sky

Download “Atmosphrique” Metro Area – Self Titled, Environ

Download “Detroit” Morgan Geist – Double Night Time, Environ

Download “Downtown” Osbourne – Self Titled, Spectral Sound

Download “Parisian Goldfish” Flying Lotus – Los Angeles and 1983, Warp

Download “Track 2″ James Pants – Rhythm Trax Vol. 1, Stones Throw

Download “Just Ain’t Gonna Work Out” Mayer Hawthorne & The Country – Just Ain’t Gonna Work Out 12″, Stones Throw

Shouts to DJ Ayers and the Rub Crew for holding me down with the Rub Radio (here and here), Diplo with the wild podcasts, Truth and Soul Records, and Daptone Records (Sharon Jones coming to LA!).

[kml_flashembed movie="http://jp.youtube.com/v/HQGRM5nTX6k" width="425" height="350" wmode="transparent" /]
donald byrd – lansana’s priestess
-got to love that jazz flute

[kml_flashembed movie="http://jp.youtube.com/v/6dT5B_O30LI" width="425" height="350" wmode="transparent" /]
gary bartz – music is my sanctuary
-mine too

[kml_flashembed movie="http://jp.youtube.com/v/UjSpgWPZvRQ" width="425" height="350" wmode="transparent" /]
dorothy ashby – my favourite things
-a nice jazz harp take on a classic

[kml_flashembed movie="http://jp.youtube.com/v/4bXCJVEOF-E" width="425" height="350" wmode="transparent" /]
eugene mcdaniels – headless heroes
-better get it together and see what’s happening (10 points for anyone who can guess the sample)

In other Sharon Jones news, they’re currently on a world tour, and you know they had to come through the District. I saw them sometime last year and it was, hands down, one of the best shows I will ever see, much less have seen.  I never thought that I would be able to see a show like that; they do a show in the style of the old soul revues a la James Brown. Amazing. Sharon Jones is just booming with energy and soul like you just don’t see anymore. If you’re lucky enough to have them come through your town, don’t sleep.

 Here’s the track, but be sure to visit soul-sides.

  Download Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings – Answer Me