As we inch toward summer (it's supposed to be in the 80s here in Chicago tomorrow), three new songs keep me tapping my toe, despite the crutches and elastic bandage around my knee. All are brand new releases, yet all carry me back in time. Plus ça change...

1). "Hey Ya" by Booker T., from his new album Potato Hole. Back in the 1960s, when Booker T. & the MGs were just about the coolest band on earth, they used to crank out funky instrumental versions of songs that had been recent hits for others (for example, The Rascals' 'Grooving'"). It's good to see Booker back at his old tricks with this fun version of the OutKast tune. Live performance video here.

2). "Don't Forget Me," a nice cover of the great 1974 Harry Nilsson song (from the album Pussy Cats) by Neko Case, from her new CD, Middle Cyclone. She's softened it up a bit, but at the same time somehow made it sound less sentimental than the original. Live performance video here.

3). "At Least I'm Not as Sad (As I Used to Be)" by a new group, fun., who have that funny punctuation thing that happens in a lot of Japanese band names, though these guys are American. Anyhow, you can hear the track on their MySpace page, and the debut CD is due out soon. This one is so full of silly pop hooks that it takes me straight back to Top 40 AM radio, circa 1975.

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