The Chemical Brothers: "Brothers Gonna Work It Out" (Virgin)

These days, these particular Chemical siblings may be best known for their own beats-on-the-block, but they also have a reputation to uphold as DJs with a nous for what it takes to move a packed dance floor. Years of providing the grooves at such seminal clubs as the Heavenly Social has seen the duo develop a mighty thirst for sirens and bass, and Brothers Gonna Work It Out is a snapshot of what's in their bag. It's a lusty collection of left-field hip-hop instrumentals, odd soul nuggets (the Willie Hutch tune that gives the album its title), tasty acid house and many other strange shades of the sound spectrum. This combination makes for a thriller of a trip, all manic acid breaks and pounding percussion as the duo mash up a funky storm. The next best thing to actually being in a sweaty, smoky, packed room with your mates. Jim Carroll

Black Star: "Black Star" (Rawkus)

In what is proving to be a champion year for hip-hop, Black Star's Mos Def and Talib Kweli provide some additional reasons to cheer with their debut collaboration. Mos Def may be the star of the Rawkus label thanks to his Body Rock single, burgeoning TV career and soon-come solo set but let's not underestimate the more subtle skills of Kweli, as seen on the sublime 2000 Seasons tracks from Reflections Eternal. Black Star is very much an album of the new school, that particular place where the Puff Daddys and Master Ps do not go. Funky simple beats are trampolines for deliberated raps about the state of both the hip-hop nation and beyond as both MCs are given room to roam. Jim Carroll

Delakota: "One Love" (Go Beat)

Not many bands get to launch their careers on BBC2's Newsnight with a glowing rather than sneering introduction from Jeremy Paxman, and One Love is an impressive affair in many ways. While Cass Browne and Des Murphy have a sterling indie background, One Love understands that the fusion of beats, samples and grooves must have some organic touches to really succeed. Imagine Beck hotwiring the juggernaut the Stone Roses abandoned and you're close to where C'mon Cincinnati takes off from, a beautifully funky piece of cut-and-paste guitars and mood. But Delakota are more than just one-trick hustlers and the sweet drift of The Rock, the messy punk rock feel of Brothers and the grainy soft-focus of Hook, Line & Sinker will bring many influences to mind. Jim Carroll