AfroBeat Magnificence
Okodoro Oro, the astounding debut CD from Cincinnati transplant Baoku Moses, will be released this Saturday in conjunction with a concert and cultural event at the Syrian Shrine Temple (217 William Howard Taft Road, Corryville). Besides celebrating the disc's release, Moses' group, African Image Arts Organization, will also be on hand to promote and educate attendees about the many facets of African culture through exhibitions and displays. The Nigerian-born Moses -- also a professional African drummer -- was inspired by African music icon Fela Kuti and other AfroBeat artists. Fans of Kuti will be magnetically drawn to Moses' similar vibe, as he effortlessly blends traditional African sounds with Western Jazz and Pop influences. The disc is stunningly accomplished, showing Moses to be a master of his craft despite only journeying into the world of AfroBeat about seven years ago. The disc was produced by Rob Fetters (Raisins, The Bears, psychodots), who enlisted local musicians like Chris Arduser and Randy Villars (and himself, on guitar and bass) to help bring to life Moses' textural, vibrant and passionate songs. Okodoro Oro is a truly remarkable achievement that could and should push Baoku Moses to the upper echelon of his field. The event kicks off at 5 p.m.

Local Notes
· Beep Click Strum Sing, the fourth compilation CD from locally-spawned Indie label, datawaslost, gets the release party treatment on Saturday at the Newport American Legion hall (22 E. Sixth St., Newport). The title reflects the collective's stylistic expansion into more electronic fare (though lo-fi Indie Rock still plays a big part), while the roster of artists included on the disc is an indication of DWL's broadening recognition and geographical expansion (founders live in both Cincy and Chicago). So, alongside area favorites like The Sundresses, Morals Galore, The Spectacular Fantastic, Swissfarlo, Tristen Shields and Hilltop Distillery, you'll find tasty tracks from New York City up-and-comers Bishop Allen, Portland-based SpinArt recording artists The Minders and Scotland's Looper, headed up by former Belle and Sebastian bassist Stuart David. For the release show, organizers plan to give the event a "compilation album" feel by having each participating act (Shields, Compiler, Swissfarlo, Hilltop Distillery, The Spectacular Fantastic, Coltrane Motion) play rotating 10-minute sets until the end of the night. (datawaslost.net)

· Speaking of independent label compilations, three of the area's best indies -- Tiberius, Save Your Servant and State Bird -- will collaborate on a comp due this fall featuring all of the acts from each label's respective rosters. Two bands featured on the disc -- SYS' Theraphosa and Tiberius' Ampline -- play Monday at Radio Down. The all-ages, 8 p.m. show also features locals Caterpillar Tracks and Oklahoma's Traindodge.

· After a lengthy hiatus, local Rock group Filthy McNasty (aka Filthy) returns to the local club circuit on Saturday at the York Street Café with a new name: Poke. The new group's sound is self-described as "a Hank Williams acid trip on the Punk Rock farm" 24 Hour Flu also performs.

· The Southgate House in Newport hosts the "Jammin' for Jaisa" benefit concert on Thursday. The show -- featuring singer/songwriter Cameron Martin Cochran, newcomers Keys Crescent, rockers Stonewater and 46 Long, an acoustic Blues duo who will be expanding to a full band for the night -- aims to raise money to help pay the medical bills of Jaisa Lipscomb-Powell, who is battling stomach cancer.

· Local rockers Son River are being forced into an indefinite hiatus due to bassist Kyle Sanders' pending departure for a lengthy military stint in Kosovo. SR frontman Dedo says the group has no plans to replace Sanders, so Son River's show at Top Cat's on Friday might be their last (or at least their last for quite some time). (sonriver.com)

· The Industry, organizers of the wildly successful "Collision" progressive arts and music event at The Mockbee in March, are at it again with "Pi: Chaos and Control." The event -- taking place Friday at 7:30 p.m. -- will again feature music, video, dance and other art scattered throughout The Mockbee's three floors. On the musical end, DJs and experimental composers from CCM will join local Indie groups like Ruby Vileos, johnnytwentythree and Chalk (as well as Prantershifter, featuring Jim Reynolds of Chalk), to name but a few. (themockbee.org)