Summer getaway

I t's only the second day of summer, but inquiring minds already want to know what makes a good soundtrack to pass the dog days of the season. In need of tips, friends inevitably start asking one another: What are you listening to these days? Judging from this week's Billboard 200 chart, it's Toby Keith's "Big Dog Daddy" and Fabolous's "From Nothin' to Somethin', " which are blazing the top two spots, respectively. They're rounded out by fellow summer blockbusters from Paul McCartney, Maroon 5 , and T-Pain.

But what about all the recent albums that capture the essence of summer if not Top 40 airplay? For your barbecue party, trip to the beach, or just a leisurely night on the porch, plenty of summer soundtracks are out there; they're just flying under the radar. Here are a few to get you started:

"Sifantin Och Mörkret"

Confined to your cubicle? Perfect. Out July 10, this eclectic album from the Swedish singer-songwriter will transport you to an enchanted forest with its swirling ambient sounds of nature. Featuring chirping birds, claps of thunder, and whimpering kittens, it's its own late-night road trip to nowhere in particular.

"In Camera" Through a haze of distorted reverb, the Seattle boy-girl duo of Grant Olsen and Sonya Westcott fashions narcotic, melancholy pop songs that would make the band's influences proud (Neil Young and the Velvet Underground in its quieter moments chief among them).

"The Budos Band II" From the venerable Brooklyn hipster label Daptone Records comes this slice of old-school funk and soul, out July 17. But funk and soul are merely the jump-off points; the album eventually opens up to brassy, horn-fueled lounge and electronica songs best heard after midnight.

"Miss Diamond to You" Every summer needs its dance diva to get you ready for a Saturday night out, and this Diamond is a girl's best friend. The London-based singer keeps the drama in check, though, opting instead for low-key, electro-dance rock.

"Sonic Weapons" Like New England weather, the debut (out July 10) from Boston's own DJ C changes gears without rhyme or reason. Having remixed songs by M.I.A., the mash-up artist works his magic on a set that ping-pongs from hip-hop to dub to bhangra to rock.

"Gilberto Gil (Nêga)"

Originally released in 1971 while Gil was in exile in London, the English-language debut from the Brazilian icon was recently reissued in the United States. It was worth the wait. A bluesy mix of originals ("Volkswagen Blues") and covers (Blind Faith's "Can't Find My Way Home"), the album traverses the musical map with a distinctly '70s folk-funk feel reminiscent of Richie Havens -- on a samba kick.

"Na Afriki"

The title means "To Africa," but the latest release from this Ivory Coast singer transcends its borders. On elegant ballads and Pan-African soul, Gnahoré's lyrics -- sung in seven African languages -- address the continent's social and political issues. (And you're welcome to sing along thanks to the liner notes, which translate the songs to English.)

"Songs for Ice Cream Trucks" Playing everything from glockenspiel to theremin (and featuring guest vocals from Rick Moody, Claudia Gonson, and others), Hearst has reenvisioned the typical jingle for ice - cream trucks, creating what might just be the ultimate twinkling summer soundtrack. Spoons sold separately.

"Hey Hey My My Yo Yo"

You'll have to sit tight until Aug. 14 for the belated US release of the Danish duo's 2005 sophomore album, but why wait? You can already hear some of the album on the band's MySpace page, and get your party started with the stuttered dance beats of "Can I Get Get Get." It's classic Junior Senior, as is the infectious accompanying fan-made video on YouTube.

"Gutterfly"

It's no accident that the album's cover might remind you of the cover of Curtis Mayfield's "Superfly." Some of the songs will do the same. This hip-hop duo from Portland, Ore. -- with Jumbo at the production board and Vursatyl on the mike -- samples '70s soul on this high-minded concept album set in the fictitious town of Razorblade City.

"I Am" Comparisons to Jill Scott aside, Michele's debut is the slow-burning R&B album of the summer. With the exception of "Good Girl," no song kicks into high gear; rather , the album sweetly simmers until it's time to kill the lights.

"Touch Up" Coming soon to an H&M sound system near you, this debut from the Canadian quintet is a breezy mix of power-pop songs, led by the killer opening dance track, "Dirty Town."

"Person Pitch" If the Beach Boys had made a tricked-out, psych-rock album in the late '70s, this would be it. Animal Collective's Noah Lennox , the wizard behind the Panda Bear curtain, cranks out Brian Wilson-worthy harmonies and promptly submerges them in heady, 12-minute sound collages.

"Alone" All by himself is exactly how you want to hear the great classical composer on his new album, which is out Tuesday. With just Previn on piano interpreting staples of the American Songbook -- "Skylark" and "Night and Day" -- it's perfect for a Sunday jazz brunch. Consider it a sneak preview of what Previn will perform at the Tanglewood Jazz Festival on July 15.

"Standard Songs for Average People"

The conceit was simple: Pair a beloved singer-songwriter (Prine) with a cult bluegrass veteran (Wiseman) and see what transpires. By the time you get to the seventh song, the charm of this back-porch country album is spelled out in the song title: "Old Dogs, Children, and Watermelon Wine." Sounds like summer to us.