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The cocktail-lounge sound of the 1950's has become perversely hip among young pop musicians, but no other band makes easy-listening music that sounds quite like Stereolab's. As reviewer Mark Jenkins explains, this London based group engages in sort of retro-futurism, using older keyboards to make the newest sounds. Their latest album is called "Emperor Tomato Ketchup," on Elektra Records. (4:30) (IN S

Noah and Robert read from listeners' comments, touching on the world's largest prime number and the real identity of band in Kalamazoo. To contact All Things Considered, send your letters to All Things Considered, 635 Massachusetts Avenue Northwest, Washington DC, 20001. To contact us via the Internet, the address is A-T-C at N-P-R dot ORG. (STEREO)

David Greenberger has a review of Private Astronomy: A Vision of the Music of Beiderbecke, the latest CD from musician Geoff Muldaur and the band Futuristic Ensemble. They explore the music of Bix Beiderbecke, the legendary cornet player from the 1920s.

Music critic Milo Miles looks at the career of reggae greats Toots Hibbert and his band, the Maytals. The group's recent re-issues are Time Tough, Funky Kingston (Island Records) and Monkey Man (Trojan Records).

Keith Brion, founder of the New Sousa Band, talks about "The Stars and Stripes Forever" and other John Philip Sousa works.

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews Forever Hasn't Happened Yet the new CD by John Doe, formerly of the punk-rock band X.

My Morning Jacket releases It Still Moves, a new album reflecting a focus on songwriting and narrative. The band hails from Shelbyville, Ky., and its sound has roots in Southern rock. Tom Moon has a review.

Ethel, a string quartet that plays amplified music and often collaborates with rock music composers, is making waves in the music world. The group's debut CD is called Ethel. NPR's Liane Hansen talks with Todd Reynolds and Mary Rowell, violinists for the band.

Conrad Praetzel and Robert Powell take old American ballads and folk songs and transform them into modern works. Their band is called Clothesline Revival. Chris Nickson reviews the album Of My Native Land.

A criminal investigation is under way in the wake of a fire that left at least 96 people dead at a Rhode Island nightclub. Owners of The Station say the band Great White, whose performance at the club included a pyrotechnics display, is responsible for the disaster, but investigators have yet to assign blame. NPR's Chris Arnold reports.