By Paul V.

Beyoncé feat. Slim Thug - Check On It - Columbia

With a farewell tour that's beginning to rival Cher's in its longevity, our Destiny girls bid us adieu with their Number Ones collection and this sassified rump-slamming jam. But it also easily proves just how bold 'n' bootylicious Beyonce's solo star power really is. Watch out, Pink Panther!

William Orbit Hello Waveforms Sanctuary

One look at the angelic artwork donning this CD should give you an idea of the aural charms contained inside. A Grammy Award-winning writer/producer (and one of Madonna's most talented muses), Orbit is an influential master of fusing the ambient and ethereal with delicate electronic beats, and his latest is no exception. Yet here, he focuses more on the sublime and sensual, and only unleashes a groove when appropriate. His influence on Ray Of Light beams everywhere, especially on the opening track "Sea Green." Like that, most tracks are instrumental, but a few guests add vox to the best moments here. Long-time fans of Torch Song (Orbit's first mid-'80s outfit) should zoom directly to "Bubble Universe" and "Who Owns The Octopus," which features the exquisite vocals of his former collaborator, Laurie Mayer. The latter is an exceptionally beautiful and mesmerizing slice of chill beats, understated guitar chords, and Mayer's spun-sugar delivery. But the absolute standout is "Spiral," his collaboration with singer Kenna from the Sugababes. Even in this subdued setting, her soulful warmth weaves in and out of this dusky chestnut like a serpent. To say that this is a sleepy, quiet affair is no insult, and in fact, it would provide the perfect soundtrack for lovemaking or drifting off at night into a dream state. If Air's debut or Imogen Heap's latest intoxicated your senses, then Hello Waveforms is like a case of fine wine being delivered to your bedroom.

Various Future Retro Rhino (The Cure, Yaz, Morrissey)

Why do we still love the '80s so much? I can answer that question in a heartbeat: It truly was the last decade to drop original, new, fresh and exciting sounds -- things we'd never heard before. And while not everything produced in the Reagan era has staying power beyond a quick dance/cheesy laugh, most of the output absolutely holds up because of the strength of the writing and the incessant hooks. So it's only fitting to let today's retro-leaning kiddies hear the real deals, only reincarnated. The reason this collection works so well is that the remixes don't annihilate the original arrangements by stripping away their already-potent charms. With A+ remixers like Infusion (The Cure's "The Walk"), Richard X (Yaz's "Situation"), Tiga (Depeche Mode's "Shake The Disease"), Adam Freeland (B-Movie's "Nowhere Girl"), and Static Revenger (INXS' "Need You Tonight"), these are slam-dunk interpolations, ready-made for any 2006 dance floor. The most radically bitchin' updates are courtesy of DJ Irene, who transforms Book Of Love's "Boy" into an indie-grunge stomper, and the loveable Sparks, who polish Morrissey's jangle-pop "Suedehead" into a near orchestral trip-hop gem. Also making appearances: Erasure, Echo and The Bunnymen, Howard Jones, Alphaville, New Order, and Grandmaster Flash, whose "White Lines" overdoses as it snorts up some throbbing trance beats. Meanwhile, Devo's "Girl You Want" sounds like horny robots with boners, courtesy of Black Light Odyssey (fitting name there, folks). This collection is, like, beyond tubular -- totally! More, please!

Gil Mantera's Party Dream Bloodsongs Audio Eagle

This is one of those left of center records that you might start off scratching your head over, but then find yourself completely in love with. Here we have another duo inspired by early '80s synth-pop and danceable new wave. I might be dating myself here, but do you remember Q-Feel's "Dancing In Heaven (Orbital Be-Bop)" from 1982? Well, take that track, throw in some squiggly vocoder effects a la Daft Punk, spritz it with some angular guitar solos, and you'll arrive with a plus one for this Party Dream. Opening track "Buffalo Tears" starts off with a twee synth line, then kicks into bass-throbbing overdrive with a seriously infectious melody and lyrics that are nearly a gay pride protest anthem -- "I only want justice / I only want equality / Can you dig this? / Come dance with me." And "Elmo's Wish" is right out of the Chromeo meets Electric Six handbook. While Bloodsongs also features tunes about feeling up your sister and fending off monkeys, the band stays focused on writing actual songs, not just punch lines. All of this smile-inducing, Casio disco-punk brings to mind Devo meets Kraftwerk -- on uppers. Wrapping this package with a nice bow is singer Ultimate Donny's strong pipes, and he's got one of those voices that reminds you of other people you can't quite place. Apparently, their live shows feature over-the-top antics like burning their pubic hair, wrestling in spandex and donning fake moustaches. Somehow, that makes perfect sense.

Catch Paul V. spinning the tunes in Silver Lake: DRAGSTRIP 66 (second Saturday each month at The Echo), SPIT (third Saturday each month at Faultline), and at MJ's on Monday, Thursday and Friday. Tune in for his "Smash Mix" on Indie 103.1 FM Fridays at 5:30 p.m. For more info or to e-mail, visit www.dragstrip66.com.