SONNY KNIGHT & THE LAKERS
Saturday: It's the Minneapolis version of the Sharon Jones or Charles Bradley story: Veteran soul/R&B singer Knight, a one-time member of the '70s group Haze, is in the midst of a career revival after hooking up with a sparkplug group of hip, young, funk-loving musicians. The eight-man ensemble formed last year in the wake of 2012's "Twin Cities Funk & Soul" compilation album from Secret Stash Records, whose house band became the basis for the Lakers. This week's release of their debut album, "I'm Still Here," shows how well they've gelled since then, delivering tight, seedy funk blasts such as "Jucy Lucy" as adeptly as the elegantly arranged, two-part Curtis Mayfield-style title track. This is one album-release party that really will be a party. The Honeydogs and punky doo-woppers Southside Desire open. (8 p.m. Sat. $10-$15. First Avenue, 701 1st Av. N., Mpls. www.etix.com.)
