Aesop Rock
8:30 p.m. • First Avenue • 18-plus • $17-$20
What do you say about the rapper who never runs out of things to say? Famous for delivering more words within a single song than most emcees can manage in an album (OK, not quite), Rock is the reigning king of the rap underground. His gravelly, spitfire voice and hyper-verbosity have garnered him praise from hip-hop heads and literati alike. His latest solo effort "Skelethon," released in 2012 by Rhymesayers, is the most accomplished work of his career. The real-life Ian Bavitz is touring with Bronx-bred rap virtuoso Rob Sonic, his longtime collaborator in the group Hail Mary Mallon. Raghav Mehta
Tower of Power
7 & 9 p.m. Wed.-next Sat. • Dakota Jazz Club • $35-$70
Tower of Power has been a regular hit in the Twin Cities of late, thanks to its fabulous horn section, timelessly funky repertoire and dynamic singer Larry Braggs. ToP's longest-tenured vocalist, the charismatic Braggs left for a solo career at the end of 2013, and Ray Greene, a Berklee-educated trombonist-turned-singer, has stepped in. Judging by YouTube clips, the Georgia native is a worthy vocalist who might bring a bit more gospel influence. Here's looking forward to hearing Greene dive into 1970s classics with founder/saxophonist Emilio Castillo and Oakland's finest old-school jazzy funketeers. Jon Bream
