Smokin' show ends on high note

The Smokin' Grooves tour descended Friday night upon the WorldMusic Theatre - sort of a Rhythmstock, if you will.

Roots, one of the rare rap acts that uses a real band, openedwith a tight, awesome set. They shifted from tune to tune withoutpause, bodacious rap braggadocio making a segue to sweet,a cappella vocal riffing.

Too bad the Brand New Heavies were weak. Singer Siedah Garrettrode herd over songs like "Sometimes" with vocal power that almostmade up for the drab monotonicity of her band's approach.Later, to a roar of adulation, Erykah Badu took to the stage,piped aboard by her backup singers' chant, "Badu, Badu." A songstylist, Badu beautifully allows words their own space, fiddling withsyllables, skating the fringes of scat, with an effortlessshowmanship that delighted.Then Cypress Hill went nuts. Their DJ and percussionist-fueledrap had a tuneful, edgy backdrop, combined with the vocal trio'sloose, goofy presentation. Sporting Afro wigs, hopping about likehyperactive marionettes, they cranked out hits like "Shoot 'Em Up"and "Insane in the Brain." As they inflated their massive, smokingskeleton, multicolored marijuana leaves dancing across the backdrop,the only band who could have followed this set was the one that did,George Clinton and the P-Funk All Stars.Only a headdress away from being Sun Ra, Clinton presided overthe musical stew that was P-Funk, clad in a "101 Dalmatians" caftan.Killers like "Flashlight" became extended jams, with a majestic,powerful, compellingly danceable groove that capped this nightperfectly.