Blogcritics Goodie Bag: Barbara Fasano, Copeland, Young Capone, Indigo Girls, and Indiestore picks

Barbara Fasano is an actress and pop-jazz vocalist. Appearing at Jazz at Lincoln Center's Allen Room in 2006, she was praised for her "smooth performances of 1940's ballads" (The New York Times). Her performances have taken her around the world, and she made her Carnegie Hall debut in 2005, as part of the Harold Arlen Centennial Concert. Download and listen to a track from her album Written in the Stars, "Come Rain or Come Shine."

Watch the brand new Copeland video for "Control Freak" from the forthcoming album, Eat, Sleep, Repeat, or listen to a stream of the song. A free download of the song "When You Thought You'd Never Stand Out" is available for your enjoyment.

The word "gangster" has many different connotations depending on who you ask. Some envision bandanas while others think of faceless criminals. Nevertheless, there are a couple of good things that are constantly attached to that dubious noun; determination, smarts, respect and the control of your own destiny. 20-year old rapper/producer Young Capone epitomizes those aspects. His debut album Big Faces and Bright Lights is set to impact the rap industry. Starting with the Nitti produced lead single entitled "What It Iz" (lo|hi) and a balance of songs that that reveal details of his life, the world will have nothing but pure admiration for Young Capone's brand of "gangster."

The Indigo Girls finished their contract with Sony/Epic last year, and this year they signed with a new label, Hollywood Records. Fans were concerned and confused because all signs indicated the Girls would go with a major independent label rather than another major label. The explanation was that they felt like it was a good deal for both them and the label, so they went with it. Looks like it's working out well because the label seems to really understand the Indigo Girls and their fan base, from the production work on their new album Despite Our Differences to the video for the first single, "Little Perennials." Check it out:

This week's Indiestore picks selected by former NME and Rolling Stone journalist Neil Mason:

• The Cadets "Songbook" – Like the boys say, when you come from Penge in south east London the only way is indeed up. By the sounds of it, this lot are well on their way. This is corking stuff, the highlight of which is the beautiful "Songbook" — a rich, swollen tune that is almost fit to burst. And anyone who lists Ben Folds as an influence has a pair of ears on them.
• Strange Idols "It's No Fun" – Indie pop like it was supposed to be – fizzy songwriting, jangling guitars, belting tunes. Sounding like Sophie Ellis Bextor fronting Belle & Sebastian with a healthy dose of Altered Images in the mix (very much okay by us), "It's No Fun" is actually more fun that a wet Monday should allow.
• Messengers "Menina" – Production duo Darren Moss and Kevin Beadle have quite a pedigree with support from Mr Scruff and Giles Peterson to name but two. House with a twist, there's enough invention to keep the most discerning dancing feet happy. Soul II Soul for the 21st Century?
• Muller And Patton "But Do You Trust Me?" – And for the second time this week, Ben Folds pops up… Jaye Muller and Ben Patton are cast from the same mould, penning the kind of smart pop music it's hard not to like. There's a nice buzz surrounding them at the moment too.
• ortoPilot "Insecure" – Every week we find a store with few tunes, no pictures, no words, but boy is the music good. This week's eyebrow raiser is the handiwork of one Matt Hutchinson. His mellow songwriting could find a wider audience if only his indiestore was better tended.
• Hectic "Three Quarter" – If you like your music dark and brooding, your beats pounding and your rhythms solid, we know just the man. On a funky techno tip, "Three Quarter" is the pick of the bunch.