Music Picks

Prince Valiant’s psych-rock side project: The Remains, Friday

Keepin’ it real: Bunny Wailer, Sunday

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More About

• Bob Marley
• Salif Keita
• Jonny Whiteside
• Hollywood Bowl
• Bunny Wailer

THURSDAY, AUGUST 10

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

FRIDAY, AUGUST 11 Ziggy Marley, Stephen Marley, Bunny Wailer at the Hollywood Bowl

The late Bob Marley made such a tremendous international impact that his passing carried the same tragic resonance as Elvis’ death, but where the King’s departure galvanized rock & roll, the loss of Marley, who represented a profound spiritual leadership, seemed to petrify reggae, signaling a backslide from Lover’s Rock into dancehall that’s returned reggae to its boastful, sound-system-turf-skirmish start. The annual Roots Rock Reggae Marley tribute is an antithesis to that jive, and with blood-will-tell Marley scions Ziggy and Stephen and the presence of prolific reggae originator Bunny Wailer, the focus here will be on Marley’s mainstays: the battle against injustice as well as the mystical revelations, from Zion and Ethiopia, that make Rastafarianism such a compelling theology. It’s a forceful combination that inspires equally powerful music. (Jonny Whiteside)

Death Cab for Cutie, Spoon, Mates of State at the Greek Theater

It’s been a good year for Seattle’s Death Cab for Cutie: Plans, the major-label debut the band released last August, has transported them out of the indie realm they’d been threatening to outgrow for years and into the world of mainstream alternative rock (or at least what’s left of it). Plans doesn’t necessarily sound like that kind of transitional record — it’s basically a cleaner, brighter version of their homey guitar jangle — which is probably why they’ve managed to stave off the inevitable backlash from insular record-store clerks who knew them back when. Last year’s Gimme Fiction earned Austin-based Spoon Death Cab’s old place at the head of the indie class; one more album of top-shelf post-punk soul, and they could find themselves rubbing elbows with Nickelback too. Lovey-dovey organ-drums duo Mates of State open. Also Mon. (Mikael Wood)

World Stage Jazz Festival 43rd St. & Degnan Blvd., Leimert Park

Expect some torrid jamming at this day of fired-up jazz dedicated to bassist Al McKibbon and legendary saxophonist Dexter Gordon. John Heard’s Contra Ensemble (with Trevor Ware, Edwin Livingston, James Leary and Roberto Miranda) do their massive all-bass Afro-Blue. The Saxophone Section (George Harper, Azar Lawrence, Herman Riley and Rickey Woodard, with pianist Art Hillary in the rhythm section) plays Dexter classics, solo after burning solo — and check out that ensemble playing. Bop-wise, there’s Mingus veteran Charles McPherson’s quartet (with bassist Jeff Littleton). And as McKibbon was down with Chano & Diz, there are the Afro-Latin jazz ensembles of timbalero Bobby Matos (with nice sax from Frank Fontaine) and conguero Taumbu, who has Horace Tapscott saxophonist Michael Session and trombonist Phil Ranelin up front. And it’s all under the tarp at 43rd St. & Degnan Blvd., Leimert Park; Sun., Aug. 13, noon-7 p.m.; free. (323) 293-2451. (Brick Wahl) MONDAY, AUGUST 14

The Neville Brothers, The Meters, Brass Monkey Brass Band at the Hollywood Bowl

Ah, New Orleans, the land of dreams, home of the Ramos Fizz and more irresistible groove-mongering than you’ll find just about anywhere else. With Crescent City sons the Neville Brothers and their groundbreaking funk affiliates the Meters both on hand, expect a nonstop spree of superlative R&B, ferocious, masterly funk and deep-reaching, soul-stirring majesty. These bands’ respective translations of New Orleans’ singular brew of influences created an entirely different musical language, one that both reaches back to Africa and forward over the edge of a beckoning musical horizon with tremendous, moving effect. Add in the Brass Monkey Brass Band’s celebration of the strutting street music that helped to spark jazz, and you’ve got it all, baby. (Jonny Whiteside)