Soundadvice

Get Out!

Tuvan throat singing is about as close to an alien language as most Western listeners will ever get to hear, which helps explain why the Alash Ensemble has found such easy means of communication with Marshall Allen and the Sun Ra Arkestra, which became the first American jazz band to play the Central Asian Republic in 2004. Since then, the collaboration has flourished — this is their second show together in Philly in less than two months, with Allen and Elliot Levin leading an Arkestra-derived group.

—Shaun Brady

Mon., June 18, 7 p.m., free, The Rotunda, 4014 Walnut St., www.therotunda.org.

Before Amy, Joss and even Taylor, there was the indestructible Teena Marie, belting out high notes no one else can touch. Classics like "Lovergirl," "Square Biz" and "Portuguese Love" are proof that after 20-plus years, she is still the reigning champ and OG of white-girl soul.

—Deesha Dyer

Sat., June 16, 8 p.m., $36-$55, with Howard Hewett, Robin Hood Dell East, Ridge Avenue and Huntingdon Drive, 215-685-9560, www.delleast.org.

Plenty of wolf has been cried over how downloading music will harm artists (right, Lars?), but Philly neo-soul crooner Bilal seems to be the boy who actually gets devoured. His long-awaited sophomore CD, Love for Sale, has been in limbo since it leaked at the beginning of last year, leaving Bilal as a ghostly voice-for-hire, haunting countless hip-hop records. At least live he gets to inhabit his own songs again.

—Shaun Brady

Sat., June 16, 8 p.m., $25-$35, World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St., 215-222-1400, www.worldcafelive.com.

It doesn't take a dirty girl to play dirty blues; a preacher's daughter'll do. Viva La Foxx's Amy Jo spews Beth Ditto's brand of brimstone on "Spitrocksfire," from the Covington, Ky., foursome's first EP, I Knew It Wasn't Love But... . She's stealing souls The Gossip might've saved, but there's more than enough sin to go around.

—M.J. Fine

Fri., June 15, 9 p.m., $10, with Heartless Bastards and East Hundred, North Star Bar, 27th and Poplar streets, 215-787-0488, www.northstarrocks.com.

If you missed Verso's album release party, you can catch him this Saturday at Master Blaster 3. Also featured is Kontra, the Antidote (Counterparts) and MAGr, who will be taking the stage in between the sounds of DJs I.M. and Rest. Wayne Brady stunt double Los Infinite will be holding down the hosting. That alone is worth 7 bucks.

—Deesha Dyer

Sat., June 16, 9:30 p.m., $7, 21+, Liquid Charm, 1207 Race St., 215-557-0208.

Finally, Philly represents the kind of all-over-the-Eastern-European-map red hot band we knew was bubbling just below the surface. A somewhat generic-sounding name, the West Philadelphia Orchestra, gives zero clue to the nine players, bursting with energy, playing wickedly challenging Balkan/gypsy/klezmer celebrations of life. Among the stellar members of this six-month-old ensemble: Katt Hernandez (violin), Gregg Mervine (drumset, darbuka), Kimbal Brown (trumpet) and Elliot Levin (soprano sax). Lots of brass, occasional cimbalum and banjo — whatever it takes to move the dancers who love complicated rhythms.

—Mary Armstrong

Sun., June 17, 10 p.m., $5, Tritone, 1508 South St., 215-545-0475, www.tritonebar.com.