Throwback soul at Electric Factory
Raphael Saadiq Raphael Saadiq's been immersed in throwback soul and R&B at least since his Al Green homage on TonyToniTone's excellent 1996 album House of Music. On 2008's The Way I See It, Saadiq used late-'60s Motown - Smokey Robinson, the Temptations -
Raphael Saadiq
Raphael Saadiq's been immersed in throwback soul and R&B at least since his Al Green homage on TonyToniTone's excellent 1996 album
House of Music.
On 2008's
The Way I See It
, Saadiq used late-'60s Motown - Smokey Robinson, the Temptations - as his template; the new
Stone Rollin'
is tougher and rougher, calling on early Marvin Gaye, prime Sly Stone (hence the title), and even some rowdy Ray Charles, although there's room for a bit of blaxploitation-style balladry in "Good Man." Sure, Saadiq risks pastiche - the backing vocals on "Heart Attack" may as well be sampled from Stone's "Dance to the Music" - but his love and skill are genuine, and they should be irresistible in person. Singer-songwriter Yuna opens for Saadiq.
- Steve Klinge
Diego Garcia
Raised in Detroit by Argentinian parents and sharing a name with an Indian Ocean atoll used as a U.S. military base, Diego Garcia is a Brown University grad and the former front man of hyped indie band Elefant. That position led
New York
magazine to name him the Big Apple's Sexiest Lead Singer. Elefant doesn't exist anymore. Garcia's gone solo with the swoony and sensitive
Laura,
a full-length set that mixes Spanish guitar and strings on impressively crafted songs that wear Garcia's heart on their sleeve and suggest he's much more than the Julian Casablancas wannabe he once appeared to be. Garcia's doing consecutive Tuesdays at the World Cafe Live, with Toy Soldier's Ron Gallo opening.
- Dan DeLuca
The Cars
After being parked for 23 years, the reunited Cars are revving up the engine again. It's the original lineup of Ric Ocasek, Greg Hawkes, David Robinson, and Elliot Easton, minus the late singer and bass player Benjamin Orr. The band will be performing selections from its new CD,
Move Like This,
as well as classics from its new wave synth-pop glory. Expect a set list that includes "Good Times Roll," "My Best Friend's Girl," "Let's Go," and "Just What I Needed." The Cars were never an electrifying stage act, but guitarist Easton, who has spent time touring with Creedence Clearwater Revival, has kept his chops sharp. Put on your skinny pants, mousse up your hair, and pulse to the music.
- David Hiltbrand