Editor’s Note: Once again, The Selective Echo welcomes Wendy Christensen, the manager/buyer of Positively 4th St. Music, who reports regularly on new music and products at the store.

The store has brought in a new supply of reggae and dubstyle on CDs and LPs. For the holidays, Positively 4th St. Music has plenty of Christmas music including fresh remixes and classic films and Christmas programs on DVDs.

The store also has plenty of 45 adapters for serious collectors and the curious music lover. The adapters are only 50 cents apiece.

Local Artist Closeup: Afro Omega — now One Punch!

Miss Omega has a powerful voice that leads this unique dubrock group forward through dub rhythms with a definitive rock edge. If you have ever heard One Punch (previously known as Afro Omega) you would be surprised to know they are from Salt Lake City. They have been groovin’ with the Salt Lake scene since 2002 and have shared the stage with many greats in reggae music including Alpha Blondy, Toots & the Maytals, Eek-A-Mouse, and others. Don’t miss out on their upcoming local shows at the Huka Bar (151 E 6100 S) Dec. 20 and Jan. 17 at 10 p.m. For more information, visit the web site here.

Wendy’s pick this week:

Amy Winehouse: Back to Black and Frank — Never having heard Amy Winehouse and her soulful voice and sometimes raunchy lyrics before, I was blown away with how captivating her music is. Every customer who walked through the store while she was playing immediately asked who she was. While her debut album “Frank” was released in the UK in 2003, it was not released in the US until the spring of this year—making it, along with “Back to Black,” — which was released this fall — among my favorite “new” releases. Combining true soul and R&B inspired vocals with subtle jazz and hip hop influenced rhythms, Winehouse is a rime treat for today’s discriminating ears.

Timm’s pick this week:

Stax 50th Anniversary Celebration Box Set: the Utimate Soul Collection! — The tracks are chronological, showing how the sound of Stax has morphed, but its essential groove has remained consistent throughout. Stax always has been deep into gospel, R&B, and hard-edged Southern soul for their inspiration. This is a terrific introduction for the novice — the sonic reproduction is terrific — and it’s a killer singles soundtrack for the aficionado. It’s also the grooviest party soundtrack around, including singles by Otis Redding, Isaac Hayes, The Staple Singers, Little Milton, Albert King, and many more.

Chase’s pick this week:

Big Apple Rappin’: Hip-Hop Culture 1979-1982 — For hip-hop neophytes and younger listeners who were born too late, it might be like jumping into an advanced class, but the whole thing is too fun to make one feel lost. The younger listeners might be surprised by what they hear. Compared to modern hip-hop, the songs might sound archaic and practically novelty, and that’s because they are precisely that. This is one of the most respectfully packaged hip-hop compilations, balancing familiar with forgotten goods, and the information-stuffed booklet — true to the Soul Jazz label’s usual standard — is a real plus.