As I recuperate from my broken left foot, I've got an itch that I can't scratch, a thirst that I can't quench. But I've had a chance to listen to and watch some tremendous music that has helped me with my recovery. As I get ready for my summer holiday in the Cape, I couldn't help but share some of my current faves. And what are you, our CC readers, grooving on? Let us know in the comments section below.

Moby: Wait for Me (Mute) Moby showcased his new effort at the Hayden Planetarium in N.Y.C., and I must say that it was quite the audio/visual spectacle. If you miss or don't know the ambient excursions of Eno's landmark recordings and need to unwind in space, this is the place to start. Not that it's all dreamy soundscapes; there are plenty of fantastic guest vocalists that ratchet up the textures, too., plus a quirky animated video by my favorite director, Mr. David Lynch, for the equally quirky instrumental "Shot in the Back of the Head."

Jay-Z: "D.O.A. (Death of Auto-Tune)" from Blueprint 3 (Roc Nation) My favorite single of the summer is a collision of samples and tonque-in-cheek cleverness. I've not embraced much rap/hip-hop this past year, but Jay has released a rough and raw juke box-ready anthem. Love the vocal hook -- sans auto-tune -- Jay lifts from Steam's 1969 smash hit pop single "Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye" and the crazy-mad, psychedelic jazz-funk sample from '70s French film composer Janko Nilovic. Get with it now before he drops above-mentioned 9/11-released disc!

Cheap Trick: The Latest (Cheap Trick) I said it before when they released Rockford in 2006. Even though they've sold 20 million albums back in their day, this righteous Midwestern quartet continues to be vital in concert and in recorded output. Yup. And their latest rocks like pop-rock records of yesteryear with traces of The Beatles, and Trick circa '76. Robin Zander's vocals are spot on, drummer Bun E. Carlos and bassist Tom Petersson keep everything tight, and the master of the riff-o-rama licks, Mr. Rick Nielsen himself, makes his guitars snarl and ring. "California Girl" is currently in heavy rotation on my iPhone playlist.

Silversun Pickups: "Panic Switch" from Swoon (Dangerbird) Need to watch this MTV unplugged video from this L.A.-based indie quartet's iPod-worthy tune. Love the urgency of the acoustic treatment from their latest electrified effort. Nikki Monninger's hooky bass and Brian Aubert's frantic acoustic guitar and inspired vocals really push things along. Not to take anything away from their majestic My Bloody Valentine-inspired electric version either.

The Black Crowes: Warpaint Live (Eagle Records) I've always felt that the Crowes rock their live thing so much better than their studio output, although their first album ranks in my top twenty as a barn-burner from top to bottom. Here's the last studio album given that treatment, and man does it rip. No doubt North Mississippi All Stars' gunslinger Luther Dickinson has added a little more ammo to the Robinson Brothers war paintbox arsenal, too. Check out their rollicking Moby Grape cover, "Hey Grandma." Gimme three steps...

Gliss: Devotion Implosion (Cordless) Though it came out in April, I'm just now getting to it. Glad I did cuz I'm a sucker for fuzzed-out, shoe-gazer guitars à la My Bloody Valentine, Velvet Underground, and Jesus & Mary Chain and gut-wrenching love songs. This L.A. trio creates that same perfect pop center enveloped by aforementioned distortion -- especially on "Morning Light" -- that the Reid Brothers so effectively perfected back in the '80s. And damn if "Beauty" isn't one of the most heart-achingly beautiful tunes of the summer, with the organ and guitar dripping all over Martin Klingman's impassioned yet androgynous vocals.

Mark Karan: Walk Thru the Fire (Dig Music) Having held the reins as git-slinger for RatDog, The Other Ones, Jemimah Puddleduck, et al., it's about time we finally get to hear the man steppin' out solo. Any disc that boasts Delaney Bramlett (R.I.P.) gets major kudos in my book, and they tackle "Love in Vain" with their brand of roots-rock passion and proficiency. Not to mention help from friends Billy Payne (Little Feat), The Persuasions, and The Rowan Brothers. Righteous roots-rock, tasty jams, and stellar guitar chops are just a few of the adjectives that describe Mark's long-overdue, deserving debut.

Various Artists: The Woodstock Experience (RCA/Legacy Box Set) 40 years since Woodstock? Where has the time gone? Jefferson Airplane, Santana, Sly & The Family Stone, Janis Joplin, and Johnny Winter were there. Was it really necessary goosing the dying CD market by including the original studio album that followed these legendary performances by each of the aforementioned seminal artists? Really just splitting hairs as to whether Janis' set was better than The Airplanes or that Johnny Winter was/is a better guitarist than Carlos Santana. Or that Sly & The Family Stone's unique brand of funk-rock made the party better. Suffice to say these historic recordings are extraordinary documents of the Renaissance of rock music. That Woodstock launched seminal studio albums by these five artists is further proof.

Eric Clapton & Stevie Winwood: Live From Madison Square Garden (WEA/Reprise) Two CDs and two DVDs recorded at the greatest venue in America -- Madison Square Garden. Two icons reunited on tour, not just simply revisiting the past but paying loving homage with revelatory playing and passionate singing. Tight, sparse, and explosive; a finely tuned, fierce quintet. Winwood picked the songs he wanted Clapton to play, and vice versa. If the Cream reunion shows left a bad taste in your mouth, this will be the perfect breath freshener. (And special thanks to Ms. Zimmerman for hooking me up with this vital collection.)

Amadou & Mariam: The Magic Couple (Wrasse) They are indeed! This husband-wife Afro-Pop duo from Mali met at a school for the blind in 1975. The couple got married in 1980 and started collaborating on music. Dimanche a Bamako, released Stateside by Nonesuch and produced by Manu Chao, was their big break in Europe and the U.S. in 2005. This comp collects some of their most beloved tracks from 1997 - 2001. Without a doubt this is some of freshest and most vital contemporary world-beat music on the planet today. Get your groove on with the ridiculously infectious flute-driven "Beki Miri" and try not to move.

Worn Free - Not all rock T-shirts are created equal. When I'm looking to roll like a cool breeze in the hot, sticky summer sun of New York City, nothing feels better than one of their super-soft, comfy 100% cotton tees. Lately I've been sportin' their Gram Parsons (below, right) and Hot Burrito Brothers models, but they've got plenty of punk rock and classic rock to boot. So get your rocks off, people!

peace,

Dusty

Mr. Wright is the former editor-in-chief of Creem and Prince's New Power Generation magazines as well as a writer of films, fiction, and music. He is also a singer/songwriter who has released 3 solo CDs, contributed to Chris Butler's The Devil's Glitch project (the longest song in the world), and a member of the folk-rock quartet GIANTfingers. And before all of this he was an agent at William Morris!