MUSIC NOTES

          Like Bonnie Raitt, the distaff trio known as Saffire--The Uppity Blues Women take their inspiration from the feisty, trenchant blues of Roaring Twenties stalwarts like Sippie Wallace and Ida Cox. Led by charismatic vocalist Gaye Adegbalola, a gray-haired, flat-top firebrand, and kinetic barrelhouse pianist Ann Rabson (relative newcomer Andra Faye McIntosh is the third member), Saffire are by turns winking sybarites, wizened matriarchs, and growling, red-hot mamas. Despite a hokey cover, their new Alligator CD, Cleaning House, is a typically energetic and uplifting slab of soulful blues. And as you might expect, they're better live than on disc. They'll be at the Fine Line Music Cafe Saturday (318 First Ave. N., Mpls., 338-8100).

          Finally, after slidemaster Ed Williams disbanded his group, The Blues Imperials, "Lil' Ed" reunited with fellow six-string wildman Dave Weld. With their current group, dubbed The Imperial Flames, in tow, they're blazing a bluesy trail across the juke joint circuit in support of their new Earwig CD, Keep on Walkin'. Saturday, 9:30 p.m. Blues Saloon, Western and Thomas Aves., St. Paul; 228-9959. (Britt Robson/Dan Emerson)

HIPPIER THAN THOU

          THE MARCH OF baby Dead bands into the Twin Cities this month begins with the dime store mystics known as Rusted Root, who have grown from the lightweight multiculti boogies on Cruel Sun (their recently-reissued '92 debut) to the rather more portentous/pretentious fare on Remember, which has frontman Michael Glabickireplacing his old David Byrne warbles with deeper (though equally directionless) Eddie Vedder-like melismas. The band's semi-acoustic, Arabic-inflected grooves aren't unpleasant, but the new songs work best when courting fun ("Virtual Reality") rather than half-baked spirituality. And how about letting Liz Berlin shift outta her Donna Godchaux role and into the spotlight more? In the end, opener Nil Lara

          is probably the best reason to catch this gig. Hailing from Florida, his recent debut grows on me with every listen, its mix of Latin and American melodies producing one of the most accessible and satisfying "world beat"--let's just call that modern pop--records of the past year. Note change of venue. $19.50. Friday, 7 p.m. First Avenue, 701 First Ave. N., Mpls.; 338-8388. (Will Hermes)