In the last decade and a half, Kelis has tried the modern R&B crooner and dance-diva personas. But it's the vintage soul songstress of her latest, Food, that best suits her. Skillfully produced by TV on the Radio's Dave Sitek, Food is a culinary concept album on its surface but, at its core, a gritty album about being in love. Kelis huskily breathes, “I want to be blown away,” floating on a stream of baritone horns on “Floyd,” and sighs suggestively over the jazzy brass on “Hooch.” The syncopated beats of “Forever Be” balance against her scratchy murmurs, and saucy keys underscore her quivering declarations on “Biscuits n' Gravy.” Easily her most sophisticated work to date, Food is also Kelis at her rawest and most visceral.

Wed., June 4, 9 p.m., 2014
(Expired: 06/04/14)

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