Seal plays the Mainstage at 2:30 p.m. Sat., Sept. 4.
8. Toots and the Maytals, "Time Tough" (Time Tough: The Anthology, Island, 1974) From his early-'60s ska sides to his recent comeback, True Love, Toots Hibbert has combined the gospel grit of Otis Redding, the ghetto realism of Curtis Mayfield, and the uncorked enthusiasm of Jackie Wilson — only when he and the Maytals sing "higher and higher" on this classic, they're talking inflation and unemployment. "Time Tough" was released as the global oil crisis and Cold War foreign policy catalyzed Jamaica's debt crisis. But its sheer exuberance transforms social pain into cathartic communitarian joy, which still pervades Hibbert's do-not-miss performances. JEFF CHANG
Joe Rocco
Pixies (left), Nas, and Liz Phair headline Bumbershoot 2004.
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Toots and the Maytals play the Mainstage at 1 p.m. Mon., Sept. 6.
9. Burning Spear, "Civilise Reggae" (Social Living, Island, 1978) Social Living was one of Burning Spear's angriest albums, a manifesto aimed at critics of Rastafarianism. By contrast, its closer simply marveled at the power of Jah music: "Reggae in England, reggae in America ... reggae in Jamaica, reggae all ovah." It was the sound that won the argument: The Black Disciples band conjured a futuristic trance state, while Spear's languid, sonorous voice evoked the timeless mystery of Rasta mysticism. JEFF CHANG
Burning Spear plays the Bumbrella Stage at 8:45 p.m. Fri., Sept. 3.
10. Damian Jr. Gong Marley, "It Was Written" (Halfway Tree, Motown, 2001) The son of Bob Marley and former Miss Jamaica Cindy Breakspeare won a Grammy for his 2001 debut, Halfway Tree, and the tense "It Was Written" was the highlight, delivered over Stephen Marley's spare, slow, hip-hop-influenced track and complemented by dancehall firebrand Capleton and Ruff Ryder associate Drag-On. "Did you know I exist before the Earth?" asked Jr. Gong. "And did you know my eyes are window to the world?" JEFF CHANG
The Marley Brothers play the Mainstage at 3 p.m. Mon., Sept. 6.
11. Bebel Gilberto, "August Day Song" (Tanto Tempo, Six Degrees, 2000) Tanto Tempo made Gilberto a club favorite while staying firmly rooted in acoustic Brazilian styles. Daughter of bossa nova boss Joao Gilberto, she's an excellent writer as well as an evocative singer; "August Day Song" could pass for one of the genre's older standards. Her recent self-titled follow-up is just as assured, its version of tropicalia anthem "Baby" less a nod to the past than a promise for the future. RICKEY WRIGHT
Bebel Gilberto plays McCaw Hall at 4:30 p.m. Mon., Sept. 6.
12. Kultur Shock, "Too Late to Fornicate" (Kultura-Dikatura, Koolarrow, 2004) If the Magnetic Fields had issued a Baltic version of 69 Love Songs, this track by the local pop/punk/rap/folk/polka fusion kings would have probably come in at around 68. Over a warbling theremin and low-key guitar, Sarajevo native Gino Srdjan Yevdjevich sings, "I know how to say words like 'fuck' and 'OK' in my broken English way/And I know that it's sad, it's pathetic, and it's bad that I can't communicate." Whether it's a song about cross-cultural curfew crossing or deportation is anyone's guess. LAURA CASSIDY
Kultur Shock play the Bumbrella Stage at 6:45 p.m. Fri., Sept. 3.
13. Plastilina Mosh, "Alo" (Hola Chicuelos, EMI Latin, 2003) This Los Angeles via Monterrey, Mexico, duo's most recent album begins with an electrofied boast that "Plastilina has the beat... girls ... money" and, of course, "beers," before launching into a tour of sounds and styles whose fun is barely suggested by listing them — here, it's a party invitation, complete with cheerleading. Those who dug Caf?acuba's similarly all-over-the-place approach at last year's festival — not to mention fans of Manu Chao and Fishbone — won't want to miss these tricksters. RICKEY WRIGHT
Plastilina Mosh play the Bumbrella Stage at 6:15 p.m. Sun., Sept. 5.
14. Thomas Mapfumo and Blacks Unlimited, "Serevende" (Chimurenga Forever: The Best of Thomas Mapfumo, EMI, 1995) Thomas Mapfumo became the voice of the Zimbabwean independence movement during the '70s with his chimurenga (struggle) music. With guitarist Jonah Sithole, he created a new pop sound by translating the music of the mbira (a traditional thumb piano) for a guitar-and-drum ensemble. The power of "Serevende," an allegory describing the devastation wrought by a border war between Mozambique and Zimbabwe, lies in the contrast between the gentle mbira rhythms and Mapfumo's anguished cry. Exiled by dictator Robert Mugabe in 2003, Mapfumo now resides in Oregon and continues to advocate for justice in his homeland. JEFF CHANG
Thomas Mapfumo and the Blacks Unlimited play the Bumbrella Stage at 9 p.m. Sat., Sept. 4.
DISC TWO
1. United State of Electronica, "IT IS ON!" (United State of Electronica, Mannheim, 2004) This generous Andrew W.K./Daft Punk synthesis is utopia recaptured for kids obsessed by The Mickey Mouse Club, where every day was a United State of PAR-TAY. Exclusion didn't enter into the picture at all, and neither does it here: When they illustrate that "everybody's singing along" by having a crowd take up the offer, it's simply a preview of the mayhem of the U.S.E. live experience. MICHAEL DADDINO
United State of Electronica play the Mainstage at 6:30 p.m. Fri., Sept. 3.
2. Walkmen, "The Rat" (Bows + Arrows, Record Collection, 2004) Don't hate the Walkmen because they're rich, handsome, well-dressed preppies riding the Strokes' coattails to hype heaven. Hate them because their music sucks. But sometimes good songs happen to bad bands, like this jolt of raging energy. Paul Maroon's frantic guitar and Walter Martin's organ bleed together into a soaring haze while frontman Hamilton Leithauser spews bile all over the place. For four and a half minutes, you, too, will believe these guys actually have something to be angry about. AMY PHILLIPS
