Did somebody invoke the name of James Bolivar "Slippery Jim" DeGriz? Wow, the Stainless Steel Rat was an enormous influence on me, in my formative years. I still read them. Harrison's DeathWorld series is another fun read, by the way-although I understand the last few books are in untranslated Russian, or something.
It's funny how both Harrison's Bill the Galactic Hero series and Hitchhiker's feature planets made from-or atleast covered with-pure gold.
Mostly I go for older authors-there's just so much material out there!-but here's a few of the new garde that I do recommend.
James Vandermeer-Vandermeer teaches creative writing in Florida, and I'd love to attend his classes, because his writing is amazingly imaginative, inventive, and evocative, rich with atmosphere, subtle flavors, and a strong presence. Reading his books always gives me the same feeling as going on vacation to somewhere exotic.
David Drake is a solid author who's written mostly military sci-fi, but has recently produced some very decent fantasy. The Lord of the Isles series is quite good-basically sword and sorcery, it's entertaining and fun, not too heavy, bu written with enough intelligence and imagination to intrigue.
Janny Wurts is another excellent author-often overshadowed by Raymond Feist whom she's worked with, I consider her the stronger of the pair. Try The Master of Whitestorm for starters: It's a standalone, and very powerful.
Neil Gaiman is, yes, as good as the hype. Everything he writes is gold, as far as I'm concerned, but I'd suggest starting with Neverwhere, if you've never read him, and follow it up with American Gods.
I have to mention John Crowley. If you haven't read "Little, Big", do so now. It's the best fantasy novel I've ever read, even though it's set in contemporary America.
I really, really like Tom Deitz. I'm often surprised that he seems to always go unmentioned in these sorts of discussions. I don't find many grievous faults in his writing, and the high notes are quite satisfying. It's not the deepest fantasy in the world, it's true, but there's generally enough substance to last one beyond a given book-and I like the way the books themselves make me feel. There's a sort of "double-fantasy" going on, because Deitz manages to capture the essence of a youthfulness, and a youth, that I find myself envying. I'd switch places with several of his human, flawed characters-with the many ups and downs they experience-than I would with many a larger than life "heroic legend". He writes about people I actually wish I knew, in real life, and how many authors do that?
Stephen Brust is a wonderful writer, and I can't recommend him enough, except that I just can't abide his Taltos novels. To me they read like an internet chatroom live action role-playing melodrama, where everybody's part dragon, part elf, and part supermodel, with a mandatory tragic past, lost love, sentient weapon, adopted children, sparkling emerald eyes, and enough powerful friends to gag a senate committee. So, take that as you will, but I do consider him extraordinarily talented, aside from that. Try "Cowboy Feng's Space Bar and Grill"
It's not fantasy, but it's good.
David Gemmell is excellent. A bit over the top, consistently, and some of his stuff just doesn't "work" for me, but I think that's more me than him. Good, gritty stuff though, that I respect.
And Terry Pratchett. Light, humorous fantasy, that manages to be better, richer, deeper, more wonderful than 99% of the stuff that's really trying hard. Pratchett has my vote for immortality.
http://www.sff.net/people/Amy.Sheldon/listcont.htm
This is a really good site that lays out the details on a *lot* of fantasy authors-contemporary through classical. Should be helpful! (although it's too even-handed in my opinion, when it comes to recommending authors and books).