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A self-described "party band,"Sexual Buddha first formed 13 years ago, and except for a brief hiatus in '98, the group was a steady presence on the local scene from 1994-2001. Various members ventured out into the "real world," but as with most longtime Iowa City denizens, they surrendered to the area's strange, magnetic charms and regrouped here in 2005.

For the most part, the band's first-ever disc opts for an informal, "live"-in-the-studio sound that manages to effectively project the septet's communal, laid-back vibe while adding a little shamanistic, Stooges-inspired shake-down (and, on "Mailman," some hard-edged, blistering blues-rock) to the usual funk, reggae and '60s/'70s Bay Area influences common to the modern jam-based crew on the go.

The group shares writing credits for the music, and if lead vocalist Rob Levy's lyrics speak of one-too-many "smoked breakfasts," he's still a charismatic, shape-shifting force, riding herd over this inclusive, rhythm-driven set dedicated to the celebration of, uh, celebrating.

-- Jim Musser