L.A. previews Feb. 6-12: Master Musicians of Jajouka, Eclipse Quartet, Marina Rosenfeld, Phil Ranelin, experimental films, Kodo, Cradle of Filth-Satyricon, Marco Benevento-Jacob Fred.

jajouk.jpg

Fri. Feb. 6 -- Morocco’s Master Musicians of Jajouka aren’t skimping on their apocalyptic healing noise; they’re scheduled to pack 20 riffing, squalling, thumping turbanians onto the staid old university stage. Read my review of their new live record (which features only 10 members!) here. A rare and valuable experience that will also cure your goiter. At UCLA’s Royce Hall; 8pm; $22-$48; www.uclalive.org or www.ticketmaster.com; good seats still available!

Fri. Feb. 6 -- Modern composition and improvisation at its finest: The Eclipse Quartet (stringsters Sara Parkins, Sarah Thornblade, Anna Fernandez and Maggie Parkins) perform the music of John Zorn, John King and Jeff Gauthier. The first half is the Zorn & King material, then violinist Gauthier and keyboardist David Witham get down and jam with the quartet. At the Museum of Neon Art, 136 W. Fourth St., downtown 90013; 8pm; cheap; (213) 489-9918; www.neonmona.org.

Fri. Feb. 6 -- Conceptual soundist Marina Rosenfeld has pumped new imagination into the phonograph with physically intrusive modes of barrier-bumping the stylus, among other creative modes of expression, and she’s got the Pasadena tiny-record man himself, Tom Recchion, helping her, along with K. Atchley. Yes, it’s music, not just noise. Saturday’s separate program with Yasunao Tone looks good, too. At REDCAT, 631 W. Second St., downtown 90012; 8:30pm; $20; www.redcat.org.

Sat. Feb. 7 -- Phil Ranelin is a truly boss trombonist who elegantly bridges the kingdoms of avant jazz and revolutionary soul. His ensemble includes pianist Mahesh Balasooriya, bassist Kevin O’Neal and drummer Lorca Hart. Gonna be real good. At Café Metropol, 923 E. Third St., downtown 90013; 8pm; $10 cover, $10 minimum; (213) 613-1537; reservations recommended.

Sat. Feb. 7 -- Experimental films by Kate Dollenmyer and Jodie Mack are accompanied by live musical improvisations from Ross Karre and Corey Fogel. I’m a sucker for this kinda stuff. At the Echo Park Film Center, 1200 N. Alvarado St., LA 90026; 8pm; $10.

Sun. Feb. 8 -- It’s a world vibe-off: the Master Musicians at Royce Friday, and the big taiko-drum ensemble Kodo at Disney rearranging your spleen tonight. These suckers are LOUD. At Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., downtown 90012; 7:30pm; limited availability, call (323) 850-2000; www.laphil.org.


satyr.jpg
Wed. Feb. 11 -- Two of the world’s finest black-metal gangs suck yer blood. England’s Cradle of Filth probably sell more than any other band in the genre thanks to their over-the-top-of-the-top circus theatricality, the shrieking charisma of vocalist Dani Filth, and a wall of keyboards, guitars and backup vocalists that definitely won’t leave you wanting more. I prefer the sparer, more melodic dark thump of Norwegian vets Satyricon (above), but I’m old-fashioned. Just observing the crowd’s black costumes and white face paint will be worth the price of admission. At the Henry Fonda Music Box Theater, 6122 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood 90028; 8pm; $27; (323) 464-0808; www.ticketmaster.com.

Wed. Feb. 11 -- Keyboardist Marco Benevento wants everybody to like him and really oughta succeed; he’s like Acker Bilk with a noisy/modern sensibility tacked on, all simple melody and plenty of groove, but kinda bent -- check out his MySpace music if you don’t believe me. His well-crafted new album is “Me Not Me,” and this evening he’s got a jaw-dropping band that includes drummer Billy Martin (of Medeski etc.), G. Calvin Weston (from Ornette Coleman’s ensemble!) and ingenious sorta avant saxist Skerik. The addition of friendly postjazz abstractionists Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey makes this an expeshully special bill, no lie. Bring the kids. At Largo in the historic Coronet Theater, 366 N. La Cienega Blvd., L.A. 90048; $25; (310) 855-0350; www.largo-la.com.