Dakar

Playing as a six-piece group, Dakar brings a healthy dose of rhythm and rhyme inspired by every generation of American pop. The group owes an obvious debt to jazz-infused acts like Dave Matthews Band, but they are equally interested in hip hop sounds like The Roots, with dual front men frequently trading melodic and rapping vocal licks. It all comes together with surprising cohesion for a new and welcome sound, like a funk band turned loose on an unsuspecting symphony audience.