Hard to know if Thomas Dolby would prefer being known as the man whose company created that polyphonic ringtone software or as the guy who gave us the endearingly weird 1982 synth-pop hit "She Blinded Me With Science." Even now, that impassioned spoken line—"Good Heavens, Miss Sakamoto, you're beautiful!"—brings a bemused smile, which just goes to show that a British computer geek can have a wicked sense of humor. Dolby's "Sole Inhabitant Tour" marks his first live shows in more than a decade, so things should get interesting pretty quickly.

--Nicole Pensiero

Vienna is generally regarded to be the most musical city on earth, but after all, Mozart had his struggles there, whereas another major capitol embraced him with unqualified love. Prague has never been less than supremely musical, but there was a heyday in the late 19th century, which 1807 and Friends celebrates this Monday evening. The wonderful pianist Natalie Zhu is the guest in music of Suk, Smetana and Dvorak.

--Peter Burwasser

A former English railway worker who spent two decades playing a slightly updated version of early '60s American R&B in London clubs, James Hunter is all the buzz these days (look for him on Jay Leno this week). While recreating the sweet soul sound of icons like Sam Cooke and Jackie Wilson—with a masterful voice and solid guitar licks—Hunter makes it sound fresh and timeless.

--Nicole Pensiero

The sweet-as-sugar yet lived-in vocals of Canadian Lynn Miles and Brooklyn's Jess Klein are matched only by their always stellar and often tender story-songs. Inspired by the emotional vulnerability of a post-9/11 world, Miles' fifth (and most bittersweet) CD, Love Sweet Love (Red House), is both intensively introspective and coolly observational. Klein, meanwhile, proves her versatility on the colorful and confident-sounding Strawberry Lover (Rykodisc), which flows easily between folk, country and rock.

--Nicole Pensiero

Over the past couple of years, Coltrane disciple Sonny Fortune and Trane Interstellar Space partner Rashied Ali have been performing extended improvisations based on old standards, usually set-length explorations of a single tune. Given that Fortune's blistering set at Chris' back in January actually justified the existence of another rendition of "Caravan," this pairing promises a relentless evening of inspired interpretation.

Blue Suede Jews hints that Klingon Klez continues the Jewish humor in this, their second collection of jazz/rock/world-flavored klezmer. At one extreme the partying is hearty, even silly; at the other, a popular klezmer melody becomes a piano/flute introspection of great, relaxing power. The group was founded by cantor Jack Kessler, who wisely observes that however you observe Sabbath, "The most radical thing you can do is tune in and drop out one day a week."

--Mary Armstrong