Sat. Feb. 6

 Usain Bolt, the record-setting sprinter, may now be Jamaica's best-known face. But through the 1970s - and really, well beyond - it's been Bob Marley. Without whom ... well, you know. Bob was born Feb. 6, 1945 meaning he'd 65 had he not been stricken with cancer. Boggles the mind doesn't it? But then you think of Mick Jagger and Ray Davies and Paul McCartney and realize, there is no cut-off point for making good rock 'n' roll and we're sure it would have been the same in Marley's case. And we wonder, much as we did with Jimi Hendrix: What direction would he have taken his music? It's something to ponder Saturday Feb. 6 when Ila Mawana and friends celebrate at the Middle East Upstairs.

Ila Mawana is a 9-piece original reggae band doing pure roots reggae and experimental driving dub. From the most mellow to intense songs, iLa Mawana, called "one of the best roots/jam bands coming out of Boston over the past two years' by Ingenious Concepts, is celebrating a self-titled 6-track EP recorded and mixed in iLa Mawana's home studio in Brighton. The album is resonated with the warmth of the family, featuring thick rhythmic roots, and well-blended vocal and horn melodies. Support from Buffalo Soul. Doors at 8, tix $12.

472 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, 617-864-3278 www.mideastclub.com