Fri., May 10, Carolina Chocolate Drops

This Grammy Award-winning North Carolina group got its start resurrecting the sound of African-American Piedmont pickers, mentored by octogenarian fiddler Joe Thompson. Though heavily informed by bluesy mountain bluegrass and traditional instrumentation (jug, washboard), it also possesses modern sensibilities. This meld of old and new is most apparent in the striking covers of Blu Cantrell's “Hit 'Em Up Style” and Run-D.M.C.'s “You Be Illin'.” The departure of primary vocalist Justin Robinson forces Rhiannon Giddens and Dom Flemons to pick up the slack on last year's Leaving Eden. The sounds change, subtly growing from a trio to quartet on what feels like a transitional album. 2791 24th Street, www.carolinachocolatedrops.com.