Buddy Guy Sweet Tea (Silvertone) The greatest living bluesman, period. 9 (JC)

Various Jams Vol. 1: Don't Call Us Jam Bands (Music Blitz/Nuff) Okay, how 'bout "purveyors of superior neo-J-funk?" Tuatara, Robert Walter, Sugarman 3 and a killer opener by Stanton Moore--first-rate stuff. 9 (RB)

God Dethroned Ravenous (Metal Blade) Brutal, punishing and eye-gougingly good. 9 (JC)

Leon Ware Musical Massage (Expansion/Nice) Finally, a two-LP reissue of one the greatest songwriters, responsible for many of Marvin, Minnie and Quincy's hits. 8 (SC)

Jake Langley Doug's Garage (Radioland/Universal) An "in the groove" outing from this guitarist in an organ-trio setting. 8 (LD) At Upstairs, Fri.-Sat., June 1-2

Black Star Liner Yemen Cutta Connection (Echo Beach/Fusion III) Resinous Indo-break-dub mesmerism, thick and swirly like a blazing Thai stick. Includes a KLF remix. 8 (RB)

The Nectarine No. 9 Received, Transgressed & Transmitted (Beggars Banquet) Eclectic Edinburgh band's surreal guitar pop recalls Captain Beefheart, Velvets, Sun Ra. Number nine. Number nine. 7.5 (LC)

Bachelor Girl self-titled (Arista/BMG) Australian duo who look like the Cardigans and sound like plastic contempo-pop with a watered-down alternative bent. 3 (LC)

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