It's hardly surprising that this Hawaiian-born ukulele master so impressed Béla Fleck that the jazz-banjo great had Jake Shimabukuro not only open concerts, but also record with the Flecktones. Just as Fleck revolutionized the way musicians and fans heard the banjo, Shimabukuro -- in 2002, he was the first uke player from Hawaii to sign with Epic Records International -- takes his instrument out of the traditional Don Ho gentle-pluck realm and into an explosive multi-genre landscape. Rock/fusion aficionados will love the snappy intensity of Dragon's rumbling opening jam, Shake It Up!, which pits his lightning quick, flamenco-flavored runs over crackling electric guitar and feisty programming. This frenetic track may prepare the listener for a chops-heavy project, but it's clear that Shimabukuro is equally interested in strong melodies and harmonies, and stylistic variety. The title track, inspired by longtime hero Bruce Lee, has a more traditional Asian flavor, complemented with symphonic synth washes which add a tasty mix of beauty and drama. Aside from his versatile playing, the collection's strength lies in its unpredictability from track to track. So while the laid-back Circle of Friends would be comfortable amongst any of smooth jazz guitarist Marc Antoine's best works, 3rd Stream is exotic, percussive jazz designed as a bubbly showcase for Shimabukuro's great dexterity, and Touch taps into a melancholy classical mode. The string section, arranged and conducted by Matt Catingub, play a prominent, romantic role throughout. You can feel the island breezes here and there, but Shimabukuro's approach to his native instrument is equally at home on the gritty streets of Manhattan. ~ Jonathan Widran, Rovi

1		Shake It Up!
2		Dragon
3		Circle of Friends
4		Me and Shirley T.
5		Floaters
6		3rd Stream
7		Touch
8		En Aranjuez Con Tu Amor (Based On the Second Movement of Joaquin Rodrigo's "Concierto de Aranjuez")
9		Toastmanland
10		Making a Perfect Yesterday
11		Looking Back
12		With U Always (Hawaii Tourism Japan Campaign Song)