Underground Soul Sessions

Saturday, Houstonians hungry for mature black music will most likely feel their prayers have been answered — the Arena's Underground Soul Sessions brings not one, not two, but six vocalists from various layers in the progressive R&B strata to town. Leading off is the reigning prince of DIY soul, ever-charismatic Jersey boy Eric "Erro" Roberson. Another smooth-singing Garden State performer, Gordon Chambers, joins in, as will Atlanta-basedIndia.Arie pal Anthony David. On the ladies' side, there's the lovely, folksy stylings of Ohio player Conya Doss, followed by two California girls: future-soul siren Sy Smith and hair-raising songstress Leela James. H-Town spoken-word orators Se7en and Pumkin from Pluto play hosts to this uptown affair. Whether they hit the stage one by one or all at once for a round-robin croon-off, having a half-dozen of contemporary soul's most critically acclaimed yet criminally undervalued artists in the same building will truly be something to see.