Music critics' picks

New York-based but Domincan-born Nova (keyboards/guitar/computers) and Colombian-born Maya (bass) are the core of Pacha Massive, a rousing Latin alternative jam band whose name comes from the Incan Pachamama, meaning "Mother Earth." Their earthy, techno swirl of international flavors makes for one of the funkiest world-beat mind melds we've ever encountered. Fans of Afro-Cuban son, Columbian cumbia and Jamaican dancehall/reggae should turn up for the party.

Upstairs at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St., 7 p.m. Tuesday, $10, 215-222-1400, www.worldcafelive.com.

- Jonathan Takiff

When local musician Bruce Langfeld passed away at age 45 on March 18, it sent ripples through Philadelphia's roots-rock scene, in which he was a major player during the '90s. The multi-instrumentalist and literate songwriter played with Go To Blazes, Marah, his own groups Bag of Hammers and 100 Watt Razor, as well as with Cheri Knight of the New York City alt-country band the Blood Oranges. His friends are devoting a night to his music, among them Rich Kaufmann (Foxycontin, Rolling Hayseeds), the Photon Band's Art DiFuria and Go To Blazes' Ted Warren and Ted Pappadopoulos. Submit Langfeld memories to http://bagofstories. blogspot.com.

Ruba Club, 414 Green St., 8 tonight, 215-627-9831.

- Sara Sherr

On "Please Mr. Ogilvy," one of three originals on his debut CD, "Eyes Wide Open" (Mack Avenue), Sachal Vasandani pleads for sponsorship. Though the notion that without endorsement, a struggling musician may simply opt to "piss [his] life away" may resonate with starving artists, Vasandani should have no reason to beg.

The Chicago-born former Wall Street investment banker has a supple voice, warm and communicative enough to court the Norah Jones crossover crowd, while remaining pliable enough not to alienate diehard jazz fans. Besides his own tunes, Vasandani shows a keen ear and open mind for material, ranging from Billy Strayhorn standards to songs by soul chanteuse Sade and indie-folk band Iron & Wine.

While his middle-range melancholy begins to feel like playing it safe over the course of 12 cuts, Vasandani shows a wealth of promise, and his trio - drummer Quincy Davis, pianist Jeb Patton and bassist David Wong, together since 2001 - could stretch out in a live setting.

Tin Angel, 20 S. 2nd St., 8:30 p.m. Monday, $10, 215-928-0978, www.tinangel.com.

- Shaun Brady

The Penn Relays bring all sorts of reggae bashments, but the can't-miss show of the weekend is the "Philly Loaded" lineup of Beenie Man, Aidonia and Flippa Mafia, who will join Singing Craig and Summer Angel for this set.

Beenie Man has long been hailed as the "King of the Dancehall." Along with Sean Paul, he has elevated dancehall to the mainstream, thanks to crossover hits "Girls Dem Sugar," "Who Am I?" and "Ole Dawg." The prolific Beenie has released 24 albums and received a 2000 Grammy for "Art and Life."

But Aidonia is the one to peep at this show. The new lion on the dance-hall scene is prominently featured on the VP Records' CD/DVD release, "2007 Draft Picks," with take-notice songs "From Dem Dis" and "Ukku."

Lancaster Hall, 5151 Warren St., 11 tonight, $40, 215-681-5494, www.caribbeanbeatz.com.

- Damon Williams

Astral Artistic Services has a long history as a "career bridge" presenting gifted young musicians and grooming them toward their professional lives.

For this "Rising Stars" program, supported by conductor Rossen Milanov and the Haddonfield Symphony Chamber Orchestra, violinist Korbinian Altenberger will solo in the Beethoven Violin Concerto, cellist Min-Ji Kim is featured in Hindemith's Op. 36/2 Kammermusik and pianist Michael Mizrahi (with guest trumpet Christopher van Bergen) will solo in the Shostakovich Concerto No. 1 for piano, trumpet and strings. After these artists become major stars, you can say you heard them when.

Perelman Theater, Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, Broad and Spruce streets, 8 p.m. Saturday, $25, 215-893-1999, www.astralartisticservices.org.

- Tom Di Nardo