soundadvice

JAZZ/WORLD

Strunz & Farah

Guitarists Jorge Strunz and Ardeshir Farah are undisputed masters of guitarra Latina, blending Afro-Latin, jazz, flamenco and the occasional Middle Eastern influence into a heady musical brew. From their fiery debut, 1980's Mosaico, to the world beat of 1992's Grammy-nominated Américas and the just-released Zona Torrida, Strunz and Farah's music is as visceral in its intensity as it can be charming in its subtlety.
--Nicole Pensiero
Wed., Dec. 1, 7 and 9:30 p.m., $30, Tin Angel, 20 S. Second St., 215-928-0770.

HIP-HOP

The Pharcyde

Somewhere between the Native Tongues movement of the East and the G-Funk of the West comes the sound of The Pharcyde. Throughout the '90s, they brought eccentric, sampladelic soul to fudge-thick rhythms. After a brief retirement, So-Cal rappers Romye and Imani take a walk on the Pharcyde with Humboldt Beginnings. The Pharcyde might not be as revered for their wack organic aesthetic as De La or Tribe. But they will be.
--A.D. Amorosi
Thu., Dec. 2, 7 p.m., $18-$20, with C-Rayz Walz, The Trocadero, 1003 Arch St., 215-922-5483.

JAZZ

Roy Ayers

Chances are, you've danced or gotten a lil' kinky to Roy Ayers. Branded a jazz rebel for daring to incorporate a sinful funk sound into his music via vibraphone, he celebrates a career that just reached the 40-year mark. One of the most sought after artists for current covers and samples, Ayers' influence trickles down through generations.
--Deesha Dyer
Fri. and Sat., Nov. 26 and 27, 8 and 10 p.m., $35, Zanzibar Blue, 200 S. Broad St., 215-732-4500.

POP/FOLK

Minnie Driver

British actress/serial dater Driver — whose music career got sidetracked nearly a decade ago with the film Circle of Friends -- is out plugging her well-received pop-folk debut,

Everything I've Got in My Pocket. Her wistful, bittersweet vocals work well with her rather melancholy, quasi-autobiographical lyrics and will undoubtedly be helped by her sturdy five-piece band, made up of folks who have played with everyone from the Wallflowers (keyboardist Rami Jaffee) to Pete Yorn (guitarist Marc "Doc" Dauer, who also produced the album).
--Nicole Pensiero
Sun., Nov. 28, 7:30 p.m., $17, World Café Live, 3025 Walnut St., 215-222-1400.

HIP-HOP/SOUL

Soul by the Pound

From rock to soul to hip-hop, Soul by the Pound — just returning after a yearlong hiatus — is once again providing a stage for Chester's finest artists. The four-man crew Bohemian Fifth will kick off the party with tracks from their indie album, We the People.
--Deesha Dyer
Sat., Nov. 27, 9 p.m., free, 18+, Chester Fine Arts Center, 17 E. Seventh St., Chester, 610-874-7434.