*** 1/2 Stew, “Guest Host,” the Telegraph Company.

On his solo debut (due in stores Tuesday), the leader of the idiosyncratic L.A. pop group the Negro Problem mixes a ‘70s sensitive-guy thing with his band’s Association, Fifth Dimension and Zappa sensibilities. The delightful result is, by turns, vulnerable and smart-alecky. Thanks to his sweet voice and choice wordplay, the singer-songwriter pulls off poetic balladry, 12-step hilarity and swinging, organic grooves with equal panache. Stew and the Negro Problem both play at the Knitting Factory Hollywood on Monday.

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Albums are rated on a scale of one star (poor), two stars (fair), three stars (good) and four stars (excellent). The albums are already released unless otherwise noted.