Soundadvice

Get Out!

Outkast protégé and singer Janelle Monae's appeal spans the spectrum, from rockers to rappers, hipsters to hippies and b-girls to glamour girls. She joins that rare category carved out by the likes of Kelis and Erykah Badu with her mash of funk, soul and rock. In town just two weeks ago for the Roots Picnic, Monae is returning solo to promote her four-part album, which contains futuristic, spaced-age single "Violet Stars/Happy Hunting."

—Deesha Dyer

Sat., June 14, 9 p.m., $20-$25, with Curt Chambers, Franklin Bridge, World Café Live, 3025 Walnut St., 215-222-1400, worldcafelive.com.

Like Dante's nine circles of hell, the jazz avant-garde seems to have multiple concentric layers of obscurity. Saxophonist Sonny Simmons and pianist Bobby Few occupy a circle somewhere around the center of that universe, above the struggling eccentrics who toil in neglected neighborhood bars, but below the better-known names who've somehow managed to maintain a consistent output. Simmons fell off the radar for 20 years after his stunning '60s ESP records, while Few relocated to France, touring with Steve Lacy for 12 years but rarely appearing under his own name. This duo set is a rare opportunity to see what just about everybody has been missing.

—Shaun Brady

Sat., June 14, 8 p.m., $12, Philadelphia Art Alliance, 251 S. 18th St., arsnovaworkshop.com.

The recent improper etiquette of England's reigning pop divas has left plenty of room for newbie Adele to slide right on in. Her bluesy pop soul sound earned her the title of Critics Choice at the 2007 BRIT award ceremony, and her debut album, 19 (XL) rose to the top of the charts with help from the single "Hometown Glory" and a beautiful cover of Bob Dylan's "Make You Feel My Love."

—Deesha Dyer

Sun., June 15, 7:30 p.m., $15, with Adele, World Café Live, 3025 Walnut St., 215-222-1400, worldcafelive.com.

Raheem DeVaughn is burning up the airwaves with the soul anthem "Woman" from his latest release Love Behind the Melody (Zomba). DeVaughn was once a record store clerk hustlin' to get someone to give him a break. Obviously it worked — he was nominated for a Grammy this year. Joining him will be fellow nominee, songstress Chrisette Michele (for more on her see The Agenda, p.51).

—Deesha Dyer

Sat., June 14, 9 p.m., $30, with Chrisette Michele, TLA, 334 South St., 215-922-1011, livenation.com.

Comcast is taking over the world. OK, maybe not the world, but it's intriguing to see the cable giant dipping its giant foot into the local underground hip-hop pool with a showcase broadcast exclusively On Demand. The show will be taped at the Trocadero tonight and includes talents such as Burke, Myrikal, Fel Sweetenberg, Viro the Virus and many others. (And FYI — Colt 45s are $2.50 all night.)

—Deesha Dyer

Thu., June 12, 7 p.m., $5, with Burke, Myrikal, Fel Sweetenberg, Viro the Virus, Magr, Nico the Beast, King Magnetic and Scanz, Nicklez, Trocadero, 1003 Arch St., 215-922-LIVE, thetroc.com.