Those familiar with Money Mark's funky, retro-keyboard dabbling might not initially notice the new direction hinted at in the title of his latest, third album. But rest assured, a second listen to "Change Is Coming" reveals subtle enhancements to his signature deep grooves and smooth vibes, making it Money Mark's most solid work to date.

Money Mark (aka Mark Ramos-Nishita), a one-time carpenter, went from mending The Beastie Boys' fences to helping them bring the house down. You can hear him at work polishing the trio's abrasive hip-hop with slick, jazzy interludes on every Beasties release since 1992's "Check Your Head."

In 1995, Money Mark broke out on his own with "Mark's Keyboard Repair," a set of 30 short instrumentals that sound more like blueprints for songs in production than finished numbers.

His catchy and successful sophomore effort, "Push the Button," was a somewhat forced attempt at fitting into the radio mold, adding more vocals and jangly, low-fi pop tunes.

In "Change Is Coming," gone are the jive ballads and the musical sketches drawn up overnight. With this album, Money Mark has left the basement for the studio and the spotlight with a full, fleshed-out and (once again) fully instrumental sound.

He seems more in his element here, with a studio full of friends and his fingers on the keys of vintage Fender Rhodes and Hammond B-3 organs. Sean Lennon plays bass on the opening piece, "Chocochip," a quirky, space-age groove. The multiethnic hip-hop troupe Ozimatli adds some horns to the mix on five tracks, including "People's Party (Red Alert)," destined to become a full-on dance-floor favorite, and "Soul Drive Sixth Avenue," a funk-drenched, '70s holdover.

There's a nod to old-school organ-grinder greats like Booker T. and Jimmy Smith on the track "Love Undisputed," while cantina-chic flows from tracks like "Another Day to Love You" and "Pepe Y Irene," which sees Mark teaming up with Latin rockers Los Lobos.

This album pulses on just about any frequency, whether it's Friday night revelry or a lazy Sunday afternoon, further proving that a musician like Money Mark knows what to change and what to keep. And that is a true mark of talent.