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Como Now – The Voices of Panola County, Mississippi (Daptone Records)

Como is a rural town that borders the Mississipi Delta and has a population of about one thousand people. Daptone Records is a small indie label based in Brooklyn which specializes in soul, funk, and Afrobeat. So once upon a time, and that was two summers ago, Daptone went to Como and placed a small ad in local papers inviting singers to come down to a local church. The result is the album Como Now, a traditional collection of cappella gospel from the voices of amateur musicians. It’s no American Idol, it’s soulful American singing. - Picked by Gisele Regatao

Conor Oberst, (self-titled) [Merge]

You might call our next CD pick of the week .. the “freewheeling Bright Eyes.” Conor Oberst has drawn plenty of Bob Dylan comparisons as a member of the group Bright Eyes, and on his first truly solo album in 13 years – Oberst is doing Dylan better than ever. Witty lyrics, a razor-sharp backing band, and that strangely compelling voice. It’s no wonder he’s measured alongside the dean of American songwriters. — Picked by Joel Meyer

Brooklyn Rider: Passport

Brooklyn Rider is an oddly-named string quartet that spun itself off Yo Yo Ma's Silk Road Project. Along with Ma's classical training, the Riders share his love of music from other world traditions. They've actually released two albums at once. One is a collaboration with the Persian classical fiddler and composer Kayhan Kalhor, and the other is this appealling collection called Passport, a globetrotting mix of Armenian music, a Balkan Gypsy-inspired work, a Mexican work by the avant-rock band Café Tacuba, and some pieces by the Russian-American violist Ljova. -- John Schaefer