Wu-Tang Clan: "Wu-Tang Forever" (Loud) Dial-a-track code: 1311

The hype on this one has been deafening. Even since 1993's Return To The 36 Chambers and Public Enemy's self-implosion, the Wu-Tang Clan have been the only hip-hop crew worth bothering with. Wu-Tang Forever is a sprawling two-record set, intricate and involved lyrically with surround-sound post-nuclear beats and rhythms. The paranoia alluded to in their recent round of media encounters is present and correct, making some raps sound more like a roll-call of conspiracy theories. Wu-Revolution gets straight to the heart of the Wu matter, namechecking the Islamic Five Percent Nation while A Better Tomorrow takes its positive spiritual and political inspiration from last year's Million Man March. Wu-Tang Forever is a black, urban, state-of-the-nation address.

Various: "21st Century Soul" (Talking Loud) Dial-a-track code: 1421

As a club and radio DJ. Gilles Peterson's choice of wildly eclectic leftfield styles has encouraged and inspired many from Mo Wax's James Lavelle to Radio Ireland's Donal Dineen. Obviously, this influence has also spread to his own label as the likes of Roni Size, Courtney Pine. 4-Hero, Cleveland Watkiss and NuYorican Soul all roll on talking loud towards the millennium. 21st Century Soul is a blueprint which joins up the dots between Roni Size's Bristol take on drum & bass and NuYorican Soul's exuberant house gospel. Between these lines, you also get a blast of Latin, some mighty jazz and Nicolette's ever off-kilter sweet soul. Today, the stand-out track is NuYorican Soul's skyscraping I Am The Black Gold Of The Sun but tomorrow it could well be Reprazent's splendid Digital.

Olive: "Extra Virgin" (RCA) Dial-a-track code: 1531

Featuring one ex-member of Simply Red and one former Irish dancing champion, Olive are perhaps the most unlikely of chart-toppers in these days of unlikely

Number Ones. Surprisingly, You're Not Alone, with its plaintive mood and drum & bass hybrid melody, is not even Olive's strongest moment to date. Killing, a delicate gem, which first appeared on last year's Future Funk, makes a return appearance here while the beautiful drift of Miracle and the simple rhythm of Blood Red Tears also coax and enthrall. Ruth-Ann's vocals are soft and sweet, floating on a series of subtly powerful arrangements. One of the year's most accomplished debuts.