Seattlest listens to a lot of local hiphop, and after awhile most of it starts to sound the same, save a few favorite groups (The Saturday Knights, Cancer Rising, and Grayskul, to name a few). Enter the latest two albums from Seattle hiphop staples Sabzi and Ra Scion. When their powers combine, they are Common Market; they're fighting on our planet's side to take (mind) pollution down to zero, with intricate, erudite-bordering-on-incomprehensibly thick lyrical miracle......

Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama's speeches (and his very presence in the race) are inspiring people to speak up, chant—and now sing—about embracing change. Jon, Joe and Jake Bergevin, Kirkland-based brothers and musicians all, got some local colleagues together to record "Fired Up, Ready to Go" in response to Obama's uplifting words. Recognize some of those faces and voices? You should. Contributors include lead singer Reverend Pat Wright and her renowned Total Experience Gospel Choir,......