The coruscating flow of J5 may once have been booed by the knuckleheads in the cornertoo soft, too clean, too oldbut thats only because their hoodies were pulled so low over their eyes that they couldnt see, let alone appreciate, the ornate sonic-booms issuing from the now-defunct L.A.-based sextet in a burst of precisely timed and layered technique. While those days are gone, the group having parted ways, one of its key members, Akil the MC, lives on, parlaying his producing and songwriting skills into a solo sound that contains equal parts rebel, sage and mystic. (A is for Allah is so tightly constructed it may convert you.) Akils beard is flecked with gray because hes old school, kids. With Raashan Ahmad of Crown City Rockers, Coolzey and American Hero. Nectar Lounge, 412 N. 36th St., 632-2020. 9 p.m. $10 adv. KEVIN CAPP
Tue., April 15, 9 p.m., 2008
