Swedish sleaze rockers Backyard Babies don' pull any punches on their third and latest album. From the leadoff track "I Love To Roll," an old skool tribute to the pleasures of decadence's holy trinity of sex, drugs and rock'n'roll, the Backyard Babies fall firmly in the Spinal Tap camp. Other numbers such as "Payback," with its metal-influenced, turn-on-the-dime tempo changes and the thunderous, plodding "My Demonic," simply reek of sweat, leather, and testosteronal teenage aggression. Remember for a moment that they've been around since 1987 and probably haven't changed a bit in the interim; after all, someone's got to guard the orthodoxy of hard rock and protect it from the incursions of rap and electronic music. Backyard Babies play Shibuya AX on July 17-18. See listings for details.


TAJ MAHAL & THE HULA BLUES BAND / Hanapepe Dream
(Respect)

A veteran New York bluesman pulls up his stakes and moves to Hawaii. Settling on the island of Kauai, he hooks up with a bunch of locals who quickly become his fishing buddies. The result? Taj Mahal & The Hula Blues Band, who come together again for the second album in their ongoing exploration of the intersection of blues and traditional Hawaiian music. Taj Mahal's gruff vocals on top of ukuleles and slack key guitars take a bit of getting used to. But before you know it, you're tapping your feet and humming along to tunes such as the traditional sea chantey "Blackjack Davey" or "Livin On Easy," a celebration of the easygoing Hawaiian lifestyle. Purists of the blues or Hawaiian music may find this one difficult to swallow, but for the rest of us it's a nice treat indeed. Sandra Rydowski


ebz / Flamingo
(soundofspeed)

Ever since Yellow Magic Orchestra's Haruomi Hosono began to create ambient music in the '80s, Japan has been at the forefront of the genre and is currently producing a range of excellent ambient/downtempo talents, of which ebz is one of the latest. Also the organizer of Tokyo's soundofspeed parties and their associated label, ebz (Ebizoo Tanuma) has crafted a work that makes subtle use of African sounds and themes, while avoiding the tired use of "tribal" samples. From the reverb-drenched soundscape of "Ojwang" to the more propulsive, drum'n'bass - flavored workouts of "Gillera" or "Why Not?" Flamingo - ebz's debut album - offers an entrancing sonic journey to a place seemingly beyond time. Stay tuned to TC for info on upcoming soundofspeed events.


SOLID GROUND FEATURNING DENNIS BRADFORD / Attitude
(Cab)

Among the many fine, sometimes expatriate jazz musicians in Japan is West Coast drummer Dennis Bradford, who contributes his fleet touch to this album as performer/producer. A drummer who has worked with Kenny G and Chick Corea, to name two, Bradford lays down crisp, funky rhythms that power the assortment of fusion, pop and Latin songs that grace Attitude. Also contributing is keyboardist Mami Horie Bradford (assumedly his wife), Brazilian percussionist Marco Bosco, and a stellar cast of Japanese jazz musicians represented most notably in the memorable flute solos of Shinpei Inoue. Particular standouts include the Latin vibes of "El Quixico" and the inspirational love song "Moniq" on an album that would make the ideal accompaniment to a sunny summer day at the beach.


WEEZER / Weezer
(Geffen)

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and could bring only one CD titled Weezer, the smart move would be to leave this one at home. Compared to their sly, instantly addictive 1994 eponymous debut, Weezer (2001) doesn't come close. You'd think that after taking five years to come out with new material (especially after the second album alienated half their fan base), they'd want to put out something worth the wait. The green Weezer clocks in at a mere 28 minutes and change - a disappointment in itself - but with nothing nearly as insanely catchy as "The Sweater Song," "Buddy Holly" or "Holiday," you won't mind. Bright spots include the stoner rocker "Hash Pipe" and closing paean "O Girlfriend," but the rest is unremarkable, somewhat irrelevant power-pop that feels about as subversive as a Gap commercial. John Konno