Lenny Kravitz

I will admit that I have a three-track mind about wanting to finally see Lenny Kravitz in concert. “Fly Away,” “It Ain't Over Till It's Over” and “I Belong to You” are my jams from the Kravitz repertoire. He's a soul-funk brother residing inside the body of a classic rocker. On those three songs, Kravitz delivers the most delicious of grooves draped with a hazy psychedelic rock vibe. In fact, Kravitz can play me anything from 1998's intoxicating 5 album and I'd be happy. I couldn't stop playing that disc when it came out. But I haven't forgotten about current-day Kravitz. Black and White America, his ninth studio effort released in August 2011, is another incendiary piece of work. It's buoyed by the slamming title cut, an Earth, Wind & Fire-inspired funk romp that examines the racial tension still prevalent today. Kravitz would know a bit about that since he's the offspring of an interracial marriage. So I guess Kravitz can play me anything from Black and White America, too. Oh and please get to the venue in time to catch opening act Raphael Saadiq, another R&B wunderkind with a creatively open mind.

-Mario Tarradell/Guide