Music Picks

For the week of August 3 - 10

Comments (0) By L.A. Weekly Music Staff Wednesday, Aug 2 2006

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SATURDAY, AUGUST 5The Chuck Manning Quartet at Cafe Metropol

Chuck Manning has played a lot of saxophone around town — with the much-missed L.A. Jazz Quartet and countless other bands. His sideman skills will be on display Friday at LACMA with Bobby Bradford’s Mo’tet. (His solo on “Sideman” off their Live at LACMA is perfection.) Joe Henderson was a mentor, and there’s plenty of Joe in his sound, that confident swing that occasionally steps just out of bounds. But it’s mostly all Manning: smart, inventive solos exploring themes and tones inside and a little bit out, returning to a perfectly logical place. Leader gigs are rare, but Saturday night at the intimate Metropol he fronts his own quartet (pianist Jim Szilyagi, bassist Richard Giddens and drummer Tim Pleasant), playing originals and lesser-played Trane and Newk and Loesser. It’s straight-ahead that veers a little off. Café Metropol, 923 E. Third St., dwntwn.; Sat., Aug. 5, 8 p.m.; $5. (213) 613-1537. (Brick Wahl)

Straight outta parking level H: Magnolia Electric Co. (Photo by Dylan Long)

Anthrax, shortly before hot chocolate (Photo by Andy Buchanan)

Editors: Cutting and pasting their way to fame

Matisyahu: Don't be skeered, just a beard (Photo by Dan Mandell)

Keita: Will he repeat his water-walking trick at the pier? (Photo by Lucille Reyboz)

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Rock the Bells Festival with Wu-Tang Clan at NOS Events Center

“The saga continues, Wu-Tang, Wu-Tang,” spit Ol’ Dirty Bastard on the single “Triumph” from 1997’s Wu-Tang Forever, one of the greatest albums of all time. Although ODB was considered the court jester of the eight-member Wu-Tang Clan, he was really a genius, a character ahead of the game who could get away with lines like “I don’t walk, I get carried.” Russell Tyrone Jones (ODB) is now resting in peace after a 2004 “accidental overdose,” but the Shaolin Wu-Tang warriors continue carrying forward the “W” and will be doing a tribute show to ODB. Also on the bill is another dude who will cut you with the lyrical sword, Immortal Technique, and local crews Visionaries (check out 2MEX) and Dilated Peoples. 689 S. “E” Street, San Bernardino. (213) 480-3232. www.rockthebells.net. (Ben Quiñones)

Salif Keita, Ashley Maher at Santa Monica Pier

Although Salif Keita has long been a stylistic chameleon, oscillating between rocked-up globo-fusion and griot-zone revelations, one thing has remained constant — the voice. One moment he hits you with righteous blast-furnace power, the next he leaves you emotionally restored or misting up like a humidifier. His last two discs, 2002’s Moffou and the just-released M’Bemba, mine Mali’s rich folkloric strata and hit roots-pop pay dirt. The latest album — and first recorded at his new Bamako studio — proves on the turbocharged trad funk of “Yambo” and Cuban groove–kissed “Tu Vas Me Manquer” that you don’t have to plug in to populate the dance floor. Salif also encourages pre- and post-boogie contemplation or seduction on slow burners like “Dery.” Opening for one of her musical heroes is local mundalista mama Ashley Maher, whose compellingly crafted songs deserve extra-regional recognition. Starts at 7:30 p.m.; free. (Tom Cheyney)

Motorcycle Boy at Spaceland

“Why Not Fuck a Motorcycle Boy today?” It was a slogan stickered all over Hollywood back in the ’80s, and gaggles of big-haired girlies surely took the request to heart. Back then, Motorcycle Boy shows (at era hot spots like Scream and Raji’s) were the shit — if you were a rock scenester, you were there. Period. But it wasn’t all posing and prancing. The guys had a catchy yet rebellious charm to their music that made them stand out, as heard on their Triple X classic, Popsickle, produced by none other than the New York Dolls’ Sylvain Sylvain. Dunno why they’ve decided to regroup now (it’s been five years since they last rocked out together), but we hear some slammin’ new music is involved. One thing’s for sure, a set from François, Eden and the boys is always a ride. Also with the Binges, Pretty Vicious and the Small Goods. (Lina Lecaro)