Erik Lamb has a shrewd marketing savvy - and a fine sense of "Hey, this could be fun!" timing. The local rapper celebrates the release of his latest album, "Guns Talk, Money Whispers," Friday at a Whalie Awards Pre-Party in New London's Oasis Pub.

This could set the tone for the whole weekend.

Lamb, nominated for a Best Urban Alternative Whalie, has a perpetually amused delivery that sounds like Brother Ali's little brother if the kid was obsessed with strip joints instead of politics and religion.

With Old Self, Lamb will perform as Leaky Farrah Fawcett, and expect sets from fellow nominees DeafDisco, Catfish Phillips and N.M.E. and Skobie, as well as Deal The Villain, Daniel Joseph, Chiba, and St. Joe Louis.

Yes, hard copies of the new album will be available for sale at a price yet to be determined.

- RICK KOSTER

Erik Lamb and Friends, 9 p.m. Friday, Oasis Pub, 16 Bank St., New London; $5, (860) 447-3929.