Monday's mp3: Autumnal Atlas & Afrobeat

I usually take Mondays to focus on just one artist, but given the possibilities for seeing live music this week in the Pacific Northwest I can't help but give you a broader view of the options. If you can, check out at least one of these artists (some are touring nationally, so check their websites for additional tour dates).

Let's start with Tuesday, when (after you've voted, of course) Natacha Atlas brings the fresh Egyptian-rooted sounds of her newest album Mounqaliba to the Triple Door in Seattle.

Wednesday the my top choices are Playing for Change at the Moore Theater, or Chicago Afrobeat Project at Nectar Lounge, both in Seattle. CAP also play Thursday at the Eastside Club in Olympia. As I write this I'm listening to the album (A) Move to Silent Unrest, a fantastic CD of mostly instrumental afrobeat songs with elements of jazz here and there.

[mp3] Chicago Afrobeat Project: Fix and Release
from the album (A) Move to Silent Unrest

You can find some live CAP tracks free for download on their website.

Thursday Iranian vocalist and tar player Parvaneh Daneshvar joins Seattle vocalist and composer Jessika Kenney for a noon performance of classical Persian music and poetry at Seattle City Hall. Later Yaamba Marimba plays at the intimate Triple Door Musiquarium.

Friday you'll no doubt spend the morning with Spin The Globe. Then Saturday it's Lila Downs Y La Misteriosa at Seattle's Moore Theater. See the calendar for more details on these and other upcoming shows. And happy rainy season.

Related articles

• Monday's mp3: Natacha Atlas Refines Her Sound (soundroots.org)
• Natacha Atlas revives Arabic music's 'golden age' (sfgate.com)