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Music critics' picks

POP Funny how things work out. While he was off in prolonged spiritual retreat, the much acclaimed poet/songwriter/singer Leonard Cohen lost his accumulated wealth to an unscrupulous advisor. At the same time, his career was making a comeback in absentia like

POP

Funny how things work out. While he was off in prolonged spiritual retreat, the much acclaimed poet/songwriter/singer Leonard Cohen lost his accumulated wealth to an unscrupulous advisor. At the same time, his career was making a comeback in absentia like he never could have imagined, bolstered by the documentary concert film, "Leonard Cohen: I'm Your Man" and a song called "Hallelujah" that grew so big it even popped up on "American Idol." Cohen is back on the road, at 74, celebrating anew the finely honed imagery and global flair of his folk/pop cabaret music. Despite steep prices, only a few tickets remain. Maybe you could write off yours as a retirement fund investment in a true work of art.

Academy of Music, Broad and Locust streets, 8 p.m. Tuesday, $179, 215-893-1999, www.kimmelcenter.org.

- Jonathan Takiff

HIP-HOP

While they might not be the first group that comes to mind you think of live hip-hop bands from this city, Philadelphia Slick is quickly becoming a force to be reckoned with in the underground scene. MCs Noesis and Mike Tjader released their debut album, "Culture Industry," in 2008 to a slew of critical praise. The group's stage show has won accolades and a 2007 Philly Sound Clash best-vocalist award at the Emergenza Philadelphia finals for frontmant Noesis. The group's out in support of their sophomore effort, "Oil." With Los Angeles native and former Jurassic 5 member Akil The MC, plus Atlanta rapper Quanstar, Evaready RAW, Ghani Gautama, Strength In Numbers and DJ Metrognome.

World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St., 8 p.m. Monday, $14 and $19, 215-222-1400, www.worldcafelive.com.

- James Johnson

ALTERNATIVE

Brooklyn dance-rock group Free Blood formed in 2003 with John Pugh of Chk-Chk-Chk and fashion designer Madeline Davy. Their playful, boy-girl call-and-response and mix of hypnotic, post-punk beats and catchy songs caught the ears of LCD Soundsystem's James Murphy, who signed them to his DFA label, as well as Hot Chip, who recently took them on tour. They play as part of two.one.five Magazine's "Almost Summer Party" with one of Philly's best live acts, the similar-minded Prowler.

Silk City, 5th and Spring Garden streets, 9 p.m. Wednesday, $6, 215-592-8838, http://www.twoonefivemagazine.com.

JAZZ

Concluding its season-long celebration of the 50th anniversary of Miles Davis' "Kind of Blue," the Kimmel pays tribute to the final member of the band that recorded that landmark album, bassist Paul Chambers. But where each of the previous tributes have assigned a single instrumentalist to commemorate their counterparts from the original, Chambers' power is such that two great bassists are stepping up to honor him. John Patitucci will lead a trio that consists of fellow bassist Rufus Reid (who will also step behind the drum kit) and pianist Danilo Perez. As artistic advisor for the Kimmel's Jazz Up Close series, Perez has initiated a number of unique combinations on the Perelman Theater stage. This unit, while small, applies the heightened camaraderie that he and Patitucci share as members of the brilliant Wayne Shorter Quartet to one of jazz's milestone recordings, which promises something worth seeing.

Perelman Theater, Kimmel Center, Broad & Spruce streets, 7:30 p.m. tomorrow, $32-$38, 215-893-1999, www.kimmelcenter.org.

CLASSICAL

To celebrate the coronation of French king Charles X in 1825, Rossini devised his last Italian opera, "Il Viaggio A Reims." He fashioned a plot in which travelers from many countries, en route to the event in Rheims, find themselves stranded at the Golden Lily Inn and decide to put on a show that overflows with high-flying arias, duets and ensemble numbers. The requirements of 19 gifted singers and a superb orchestra make stagings of this bel canto gem wildly impractical for most opera companies. But it's perfect for the multiple talents of the Curtis Opera Theater. Benjamin Shwartz conducts, with direction by Chas Rader-Shieber and scenic design by Judy Gailen.

Prince Music Theater, 1412 Chestnut St., 7:30 tonight and 2:30 p.m. Sunday, $33, 215-569-9700, www.curtis.edu.

- Tom Di Nardo