Riding an over-the-top vocal sample courtesy of James Bond belter Shirley Bassey, KANYE WEST backs up his boasts with 007 swagger on the glistening ''Diamonds From Sierra Leone.'' RHAPSODY.COM

The Überhip classical ensemble Alarm Will Sound offer live-instrument takes of techno master freak APHEX TWIN's tunes — including the pinballing ''4'' — on their new CD, Acoustica. CANTALOUPEMUSIC.COM/ACOUSTICA

It just wouldn't be summer without a hot MISSY ELLIOTT single. Her ''Lose Control,'' which features Ciara, is a futuristic take on Miami booty music that's primed to sweat up dance floors all season. ITUNES.COM

PELA paint a landscape full of ''helicopters, flashing lights, and car alarms'' on the apocalyptic ''Operator.'' End-of-the-world leanings aside, these atmospheric rockers have a promising future. BRASSLAND.ORG