ISLAND 'PLAYGROUND'

The W has been one of Honolulu's top nightclub draws for the past eight years. On Playground Fridays, DJs Delve1der, KSmooth and Compose light up the dance floor with the latest in top 40 hits brought to you by Tantriq, the Architecs and Island Fire. "Spinning records at the Playground is like foreplay," says DJ Delve1der.

With a strict dress code (no shorts or T-shirts for men), attendees dress to impress and flaunt it. Every Friday, doors open at 9:30 p.m.; $15, 21 and over; www.myspace.com/delve1der.

— L.M.

RELEASES

G. LOVE DELIVERS

By now, fans should be accustomed to reviewers trying desperately to pigeonhole G. Love's music. It's R&B. It's hip-hop. It's funk. It's folk-blues-roots from a white boy from Philly who can rhyme.

Whatever you call it, his new album with Special Sauce, "Superhero Brother," on Jack Johnson's Brushfire label, delivers. It's smart music that plays with chords, rhythm, words and melody and makes you want to bop your head.

All that you expect from G. Love is here: rhythmic vocal lines that pop, sweet melodic phrases sandwiched between busy hip-hop rhymes and syncopated grooves that won't quit.

But G. Love incorporates a few new ingredients, adding to the confusion of his indefinable sound. On "Communication," he takes a few cues vocally and production-wise from the Paul McCartney rocker "Jet." With the radio-friendly "Peace, Love and Happiness," G. Love recalls the Southern rock roots of the Black Crowes and the Allman Brothers. On "City Livin,' " horns evoke such '70s classics as Van Morrison's "Domino" and "Caravan."

The album adds pop flavor to G. Love's music without (by any means) selling out. It's music from a man who is still having fun with his art, still discovering it and still growing into his own unique sound, whatever that might be.


— Moira E. McLaughlin, Washington Post

WHAT'S ON YOUR IPOD?

Mr. Brown, promoter, Chinatown Sessions

1. "The Deep End" by Silent Sir of the Dept

2. "Be Giving" by Nico Vega

3. "Think Slowly About" by DJ Tonk

4. "Needy Girl" by Chromeo

5. "Goodnight and Goodmorning" by Cecilio & Kapono

HIPSTER HAVEN ON HOTEL STREET

The Tuesday night party known as Kaleidoscope is a gathering place for indie rockers, artsy hipsters and open-minded young people, and a safe haven for underground indie, rock and pop music in Honolulu. The event combines deejays and live musicians, providing an escape from all that is packaged and mainstream.

Look for Miss Buddha on the turntables this Tuesday. The party, formerly held at Next Door, will be going strong at The Loft, 115 N. Hotel St.; $10, 18 and over; www.myspace.com/thekaleidoscopeshow.

— Lacy Matsumoto

METROMIX BRINGS JOY OF SAKE TO YOU

Are you a sake aficionado who couldn't make Thursday's Joy of Sake celebration at the Hawai'i Convention Center? Metromix Honolulu has the inside scoop for you. Our expert taster scoped out the offerings and picked 10 faves. Visit Metromix, www.honolulu.metromix.com, for reviews and pics of the latest and greatest sakes presented at this delicious annual event. Kampai!