When asked about the showcase’s April lineup, Mac Smiff said it’s about to be a “very sultry Thesis,” with three soul-oriented artists on the bill, including Long Beach, California, singer Mickey Taelor, whose neo-soul/reggae/experimental style is inspired by luminaries like Lauryn Hill, Billie Holiday, and Erykah Badu. Also in attendance: rapper/singer/producer Mal London, a Seattle-to-Portland transplant I’ve been wanting to see for a while now due to his excellent recorded material, like the songs “New Leaf” and “Wayvmode.” Label and artist collective It’s Future Time will put together a set, in addition to Portland-based R&B/pop songstress Blon, who will likely perform tracks from her debut EP, The Water Tape. A sultry night indeed. by Jenni Moore