Song: Static Waves

Artist: Andrew Belle feat. Kayie Herzig, Nashville

Album: The Ladder, 2011

Notes: Delicious intertwining of Belle's freezer-cool vox offset by Herzig's counterpoint vocal, underpinned by a restrained, rolling rhythm track and a deft strings arrangement. Two of Nashville's finest.

Song: Best Days

Artist: Eric Hutchinson, Takoma Park, MD

Album: Moving Up, Moving Down, 2012

Notes: One of half-a-dozen choice cuts on a strong, no-nonsense new pop-rock offering from 'Rock & Roll' hitmaker. Previously signed to Madonna's Maverick label.

Song: Thieves Like Us

Artist: New Order, England

Album: Substance, 1987

Notes: How many top 20 hits on the Billboard Hot 100 has New Order had? - NONE - not even this Modern Rock cracker from 1984. Band has recently reformed, and will perform at the Closing Ceremonies of the Summer Olympics in London In August.

Song: Show and Tell

Artist: Sugar & the Hi Lows, Nashville

Album: Sugar & the Hi Lows EP, 2012

Notes: A breezy, restrained collaboration by L&F regulars, Amy Stroup and Trent Dabbs who recently teamed up as Sugar & The Hi Lows. Standout track on a delightful, retro-tinged, semi-electric eight-song collection.

Song: Beginning of the End

Artist: Steve Moakler, Pittsburg, PA

Album: Watching Time Run, 2011

Notes: Note-perfect ballad from sorely under-appreciated tunesmith. One of the best overlooked cuts in any genre from last year. Still unsigned - bizarre.

Song: My Heart

Artist: Loney, Dear, Sweden

Album: Hall Music, 2011

Notes: A curiously winning sonic landscape featuring female vocals by guest collaborator, Malin Stahlberg. From the sixth album by Swedish multi-instrumentalist, Emil Svanangen (formerly signed to Sub Pop label).

Song: Hold My Heart

Artist: Sara Bareilles, Eureka, CA

Album: Kaleidoscope Heart, 2010

Notes: Terrific crescendoed climax on a lost gem from Sara's 2010 sophomore set. She was a judge on the a capella NBC tv talent, series 'The Sing Off' last year alongside equally talented Ben Folds.

Song: I’m 22

Artist: The Two, France

Album: The Two, 2012

Notes: Rewarding low-fi, quirky, organic acoustic ditty by a young French Art-pop duo comprising David Jarre - the son of Jean Michel Jarre and actress, the timeless belle, Charlotte Rampling - and Ara Starck - who's dad is famed designer, Philippe Starck.

Song: Oxygene, Part 4

Artist: Jean Michel Jarre, France

Album: Oxygene, 1976

Notes: Instrumental synth-electronica from a pioneer in the genre. Jarre was huge in the mid-'70s when he recoded a pair of classic synth albums, 'Equinoxe' and 'Oxygene', accompanied by dazzling over-the-top laser-light show concert extravaganzas.

Song: Mississippi Isabel

Artist: King Charles, England

Album: Mississippi Isabel EP, 2011

Notes: Upbeat, quirky but engagingly melodic glam folk by fun newcomer, Charles Costa who sports full wiggish Charles II hair (the Russell Brand of rock?). Multi-instrumentalist from London formerly fronted a band called Adventure Playground.

Song: A Beautiful World

Artist: Tim Myers, Los Angeles

Album: The Good Life, 2008

Notes: Talented hook-filled singer-songwriter with yet another bright, radio-ready nugget. Still indie, makes a decent living licensing his melodic fare to tv show, soundtracks and commercials.

Song: Always You

Artist: Sophie Zelmani, Sweden

Album: My Best Friend's Wedding Original Soundtrack, 1997

Notes: One of her earliest recordings and used on the 1997 film soundtrack to the Julia Roberts romcom. Sophie began playing guitar and writing songs at the age of 14 - her most recent CD is 'Soul', also worth a spin. More at www.sophie-zelmani.com.

Song: She’s On My Arm Now

Artist: Cinema, Atlanta

Album: My Blood Is Full of Airplanes, 2011

Notes: A powerful, exuberant modern rock corker, a movie all on its own. A collaboration by singer Leighton Antelman and producer, Matt Malpass, their promising debut album is fab - and was universally ignored.

Song: Old Man

Artist: Lizz Wright, Hahira, GA

Album: Dreaming Wide Awake, 2006

Notes: A faithful and soulful update of Neil Young's classic from his 40-year old 'Harvest' opus. A folk-soul outing by an artiste better known as a jazz performer. Four lovely albums under her belt to date.

Song: Ain’t You Tired

Artist: Thomas Newman, Los Angeles

Album: The Help Original Soundtrack, 2011

Notes: Too good, some music just doesn't need words. Criminal that Newman's score to 'The Help' wasn't nominated for an Oscar - and that his collaboration with Mary J. Blige ('The Living Proof') for the same movie was also overlooked. Muppets at the Academy indeed.

Song: Worth The Fight

Artist: Marie Hines, Nashville

Album: Worth The Fight, 2010

Notes: Lovely orchestration on an outstanding ballad only played on 'Lost & Found'. Originally from Spartanburg in SC, now based (of course) in Nashville - Marie records much of her music with a string quartet and is also an accomplished pianist.

Song: Say Goodbye

Artist: Amos Lee, Philadelphia

Album: As The Crow Flies EP, 2012

Notes: Yet another superb cut from Lee's recent EP. He was inspired to take up a career in music after listening to a John Prine album while attending the University of South Carolina.

Song: Happy Go Lucky

Artist: Chelsea Williams, Los Angeles

Album: Not available

Notes: A carefree winner from top street musician who can often be found performing on the Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica and at small clubs and coffee houses around La La. Recently (and wisely) snapped up by industry honcho, Jimmy Iovine at Interscope. More at myspace.com/chelseawilliams.

Song: Meant

Artist: Elizaveta, New York

Album: Beatrix Runs, 2012

Notes: Promising new gem from artiste who describes herself as a "singer, pianist, opera vocalist, poet and flower alchemist". Elizaveta was born in NY, but variously brought up in Russia and Italy, her musical influences include Nina Simone and Bach. www.elizavetamusic.com

Song: California

Artist: Aqualung, England

Album: Magnetic North, 2010

Notes: 82 seconds of a little musical ditty on California by clever lad, singer-songwriter/pianist Matt Hales aka, Aqualung from a much overlooked album.

Song: Skinny Love

Artist: Birdy, England

Album: Birdy, 2011

Notes: Lilting, worthwhile cover of the Bon Iver song by 15-year old British newcomer Birdy (real name, Jasmine van den Bogaerde) who's still at high school in the lovely county of Hampshire in the south of England. Major new talent.

Song: Pearl

Artist: Chapterhouse, England

Album: Whirlpool, 1991

Notes: What a chorus, one of the most rousing and complete lost indie dream-rock crackers in living memory. Part of the British 'shoe-gazing' indie rock scene which lasted for about five minutes in the late '80s. Album wisely reissued by the marvelous Cherry Red label.

Song: Until I Met You

Artist: Judy Rodman, Riverside, CA

Album: Not available, 1986

Notes: A syrupy, drop-dead gorgeous Country barn ballad from way back. A re-recorded version by Judy is available online, but this original recording has still not made it to digital (as with much of the excellent MTM Records catalog).

Song: Young, Dumb and In Love

Artist: Mat Kearney, Eugene, OR

Album: Young Love, 2011

Notes: Bubbly winner from Mat's fourth album. He's still out on tour around the country until mid-April - dates at www.matkearney.com - always worth the price of admission.

Song: The Symphony

Artist: Snow Patrol, Scotland

Album: Fallen Empires, 2012

Notes: One of two exceptional cuts on their recent album (the other being 'Lifening'). The band is currently on its 'Fallen Empires' world tour which will include two months of dates all around North America in April and May.

Song: We All Fall In Love Sometimes

Artist: Elton John, England

Album: Captain Fantastic & The Brown Dirt Cowboy, 1975

Notes: Timeless ballad by Sir Elton John from hi iconic ninth album which ranks at #158 on Rolling Stone's Top 500 Greatest Albums of All Time list. Reg and his co-writer, lyricist Bernie Taupin, will celebrate 45 years of their extraordinary songwriting partnership this year.

Song: Come Back Down

Artist: Greg Laswell feat. Sara Bareilles, San Diego

Album: Landline, 2012

Notes: Standout duet and a top-notch preview from Greg's superb upcoming album. Highly recommended new set is due to drop in April. Laswell recently married Ingrid Michaelson.

Song: Kaleidoscope

Artist: Joe Brooks, England

Album: Constellation Me, 2010

Notes: Hard to believe Joe was just 21 when he recorded this lovely ditty for a remarkably mature sophomore album. Joe's playing a 40-date US club tour billed as the Joe Brooks Trio all over the country starting next week. Dates at www.joebrooks.com.

Song: Walk Away

Artist: Dia Frampton, St. George, UT

Album: Red, 2011

Notes: Catchy pop/rock radio-friendly sensibility from her recent maiden solo album. Dia is also one half of the Meg & Dia duo with her sister. Dia was a contestant on last year's 'The Voice' series on NBC (spinning chairs, ridiculous).

Song: Overwhelmed

Artist: Rachel Platten, New York

Album: Be Here, 2011

Notes: Fresh vibrant sound of telegenic singer-songwriter who studied at the esteemed Berklee School of Music now a New York-based pianist and self-professed beatboxer. Opened for the likes of Regina Spektor, Ziggy Marley, and the Strokes.

Song: Wichita Lineman

Artist: Glen Campbell, Delight, AR

Album: Wichita Lineman, 1968

Notes: Vintage classic written by the great Jimmy Webb about a lonesome blue collar guy missing the one he loves while working as a lineman on a rural highway. Webb recently said of the hero of his timeless composition 'you may think you know what's going on inside him, but you don't. You can't assume that just because someone's in a menial job that they don't have dreams or extraordinary concepts going around in their head.'

Song: I’m Through

Artist: Ingrid Michaelson, Staten Island, NY

Album: Human Again, 2012

Notes: Clearly the saddest song of all time (at least until next week) so pure, so sweet, so mournful. A standout ballad on a truly sensational, complete new album by an ever-improving songstress. Essential listening.

Song: Beg For Love

Artist: Hawk In Paris, Nashville

Album: His + Hers, 2011

Notes: Unabashed retro-synth pop/rock style by still unsigned trio from Nashville. Band is named after a live album by the jazz musician, Coleman Hawkins. More at facebook.com/thehawkinparis.

Song: One of These Mornings

Artist: Moby feat. Patti LaBelle, New York/Philadelphia

Album: Miami Vice Original Soundtrack, 2006

Notes: Recorded especially for the 'Miami Vice' movie remake, a creative, rewarding collaboration from an unexpected pairing. Also available on a strong compilation of rare Moby tracks called '18 & 18 B-Sides'.

Song: Love Me Still

Artist: Bruce Hornsby, Williamsburg, VA

Album: Intersections(1985-2005), 2006

Notes: A+ lost ballad, live pearl by the piano maestro (which he co-wrote with Chaka Khan) but only available on a superb boxed-set retrospective.

Song: Damaged

Artist: Plumb, Nashville

Album: candycoatedwaterdrops, 1999

Notes: A neat lost plumb from artiste whose real name is Tiffany Arbuckle Lee. Plumb has assembled a fine melodramatic body of largely under-appreciated music since 1997.

Song: I Want You

Artist: Andrew Allen, Canada

Album: Digital single, 2011

Notes: Well-crafted catchy pop bubbler from freshman Allen who recently completed a winter tour with L&F preferred vendor, Joshua Radin.

Song: Til My Heart Quakes

Artist: Alyssa Graham, New York

Album: Lock Stock and Soul, 2012

Notes: Fragile, restrained, tender but so rewarding, from the new album by New England Conservatory alumnus. Alyssa's raw, delicate solo sophomore set came out a few weeks ago.

Song: Canada

Artist: Field Mice, England

Album: Where'd You Learn To Kiss That Way, 1998

Notes: Effortless dreamy indie pop from London-based band which was around for four years in the late '80s. Described as the missing link between the Smiths and Belle & Sebastian, fronted by talented tunesmith, Bobby Wratten.

Song: All That Heaven Will Allow

Artist: Bruce Springsteen, Long Branch, NJ

Album: Tunnel of Love, 1987

Notes: Top-notch midtempo love song from what may still be Springsteen's most rounded solo outing. Now back in full force with the E Street Band with a mighty new album and tour coming up.

Song: Ain’t No Sunshine

Artist: Joan Osborne/Bill Withers, Anchorage, KY

Album: Breakfast In Bed, 2007

Notes: Neat update of the Bill Withers standard by Osborne ('One of Us' hitmaker) segued into the soulful, organic, classic by the timeless master, Bill Withers.