Watching the Ghanaian-born drummer Paa Kow (pron PAH-Koh) perform with his Afro-Fusion Orchestra last Thursday evening, 7 October, at the Redstone Room in Davenport, one wondered briefly if he functions on pure enthusiasm. His fellow-musicians were alert to every key- and tempo-change, and Paa Kow often surprised his audience by leading them down different melodic paths when a song seemed instead to signal its conclusion.

Dark Family has really stepped up both their songwriting and production games, peeling away some of the lo-fi haze and the more languid song structures to reveal the most direct, tuneful compositions I've heard from them yet, all presented at a level of clarity that marks a turning point in their catalog.

A touring engagement with the platinum-selling, chart-topping, chainsaw-playing rock and metal artists of Jackyl comes to East Moline venue The Rust Belt on October 19, its musicians not only fan favorites but the possessors of two actual Guinness World Records: one for playing 100 concerts in 50 days, and one for performing 21 concerts in a 24-hour period.

Performing in live public settings again for the first time in nearly two years, Galesburg's professional vocal ensemble the Nova Singers makes its long-awaited return in the hour-long concert event Singing Together, with the musical program taking place on October 16 at Galesburg's First Lutheran Church and on October 17 at Davenport's St. Paul Lutheran Church.