Live from Seattle, The Saturday Knights

Seattle hip-hop band the Saturday Knights' debut album "Mingle" might be the best Seattle album of 2008.

Last year, the Knights released a four-song, self-titled EP on local label Light In The Attic Records. It was reckless fun with a whole new chemistry: witty, lyrically sound hip-hop from guys obviously influenced by lots of other types of music (the Beach Boys and punk rock, for example).

"Mingle" is more great ideas from this motley group: rappers Barfly (white/Portuguese guy with beard), Tilson (black guy with knit cap) and DJ/producer/multi-instrumentalist Suspence (Pinoy guy with glasses). Each member played concerts and paid dues for years before TSK came to be; Barfly's graphic design history, Tilson's long-standing Northwest rap presence and Suspence's performance-art past (with mischievous set DJs On Strike!) are parts of what makes the group look and sound so diverse.

At the High Dive in Fremont, Barfly and Suspence talked about what sets the Knights and "Mingle" apart from the hip-hop herd.

"I think the obvious move that people make is like, 'What MC is hot right now? What producer is hot right now?' " said Barfly. "I don't think most people think about their dorky 19-year-old inside."

On "Mingle," Barfly's California roots beget pounding punk rock, and all of a sudden TSK is a West Coast Beastie Boys; Tilson cartoon-ifies his sexcapades on "Private School Girls" and becomes a friendlier, classier Eazy-E. The rappers break out surprisingly smooth singing voices on '80s-sounding "Dog Park," a victorious sun-soaked epic.

There are a few famous guests on "Mingle" — musicians who, right now, are selling out venues around the world — but Suspence's inner music dork is most excited to have worked with the man who did the horns on "Good Vibrations."

"We have a song with Jim Horn, who's a legendary horn guy — played on [the Beach Boys'] 'Pet Sounds,' all of the Beatles' solo records, U2, Phil Spector and [expletive] ELVIS!" says Suspence. "When he finished laying down his horn part, Jim said, 'We had a really [expletive] great time recording it.' And, you know, if Jim Horn had a great time playing on one of our songs, I really can't think of anything better."

Andrew Matson contributes to Seattle hip-hop sites www.raindrophustla.blogspot.com and www.206proof.com. Reach him at matson.andrew@gmail.com.