Also this issue: Acid Reigns British DJ legend Gilles Peterson loves Philly back. -Sean O’Neal Riot Going On The latest Red Hot disc has hip-hop and soul's current whiz kids taking on Kuti classics. -A.D. Amorosi Teddy Pendergrass -A.D. Amorosi Titan of 'Clash Punk, trash, electroclash, it’s still rock ’n’ roll to Tee. -A.D. Amorosi Eternity Dave Vanian's gonna smash it up till there's nothing left. -Helen H. Thompson thesuitespot -Peter Burwasser on Classical Is This Still It? -Sam Adams Beenie Man -Ainé Ardron-Doley

October 10-16, 2002

musicpicks

John Hollenbeck's Claudia Quintet

Jazz

It's impossible to classify The Claudia Quintet (postmodern-ethnic-ambient-chamber-jazz, anyone?) but surprisingly easy to understand its language. A brainchild of percussionist John Hollenbeck (best known for supporting roles with Meredith Monk, Bob Brookmeyer and Cuong Vu), the ensemble reflects his allegiances to both the roughshod polyrhythms of field recordings and the lunar shimmer of ECM. On a brand-new, eponymous Blueshift CRI debut, these ostensibly dueling impulses get absorbed into a larger, more intriguing pattern of ebb and flow. Texture is naturally a key component, given the band's frontline of vibraphone, clarinet and accordion -- but the central figure in Hollenbeck's drama is pulse, often obliquely independent of rhythm or time. It's a delicate equation, but it works beautifully, thanks to clarinetist Chris Speed, accordionist Ted Reichman, bassist Drew Gress and vibraphonist Matt Moran. Like Hollenbeck, these musicians have the rare ability to wax ethereal without dulling their edges.

Fri., Oct. 11, 8 p.m., $12, Tritone, 1508 South St, 215-545-0475.

—Nate Chinen