The Circle (Natural Vibrations, 2003)

You may not have heard of Natural Vibrations, but they are an established Hawaiian reggae band -- with four albums already to their credit -- who have performed extensively at major festivals and concerts, such as Reggae on the River (as detailed on the aptly titled "Reggae on the River") and the Monterey Reggae Festival.  Those of you who have heard Pacific Island reggae but were turned off by the pop/hip-hop inclination may want to check out the group's latest release, The Circle.  It is chock-full of great live-band roots and lovers rock with nary a trace of the crossover sound (except for maybe "Time for a Change") that may repel the most finicky roots fans.  This isn't to say that Natural Vibrations has a hardcore sound; rather, they are readily accessible to non-reggae listeners -- with an upbeat, fun style reminiscent of John Brown's Body, Steel Pulse, or Gondwana -- while remaining true to their classic reggae roots.  Outstanding tracks abound on this album, from the horny "Natural Vibrations" to the sultry lovers of "Put Some Time" to the dance-inducing "Tools & Materials" (included on the Grammy-nominated Hawaiian reggae compilation Island Warriors) to the more forceful "Freedom Fighter," the swaying ganja anthem "Maryjane," and perhaps my favorite track, the vintage "It Don't Come Easy."  The Circle is quite simply the best Pacific Island reggae album I've heard in my admittedly limited experience.