One Self

Since a change of ownership late last year, South Beach stalwart Laundry Bar has retooled itself as a tucked-away last bastion of underground electronic music. Its Friday-night party, Basshead, has especially attracted a number of notable out-of-town acts. Adding to the so-far sterling roster tonight is One Self, making the band's second appearance at the venue. The three-member group plays jazzy hip-hop. But banish thoughts of a live group noodling into jam-band territory: This is hip-hop in its rawest form — a DJ with vocalists. One Self members met in London, but they hail from scattered foreign points. Still, their style and sound reflect the city's ethnic mix and newfound DIY spirit. No stranger to the guerrilla gigs frequently played there by rock bands, the group sometimes stages spontaneous streetside shows. On the mike are MC Blu Rum 13 and his female counterpart, Yarah Bravo, who lends spoken-word flavor and hypes the crowd with an intense energy that seems reflected in her mop of tight curls. The beat backbone comes courtesy of DJ Vadim, a longtime Ninja Tune artist originally from Brooklyn. His signature style is laid-back but multilayered, liberally drawing on drum sounds from the Far East as well as vintage American blues snippets. It's a global flavor for a global group; this is the sound of today's small world.