by SCOTT C

I finally decided to stop sitting on things and threw out my war-torn couch today. I quietly told myself about three months ago that when the time came, I would have a party at my place to celebrate the departure of this definite piece of shit, followed by a solemn toss into the alley below my second-storey balcony. But lucky for the couch, we lovingly placed it to rest on the ground where either the city or some insane garbage-picker can deal with it. So things are once again in a state of rearrangement in my humble apartment, getting shifted, moved around and reassigned. I'll let you know when the garage sale is...

Montreal feels the same right now, as we deal with the annual influx of new, young, university blood and the departure of a few who have run their course in la belle province. Others have been here and ain't goin' nowhere, not for the moment anyhow. Taking care of business is local DJ Blast, who has taken the next logical step of releasing his first full-length, self-produced LP, called Blast-t-phème, on unsuspecting Montrealers. If you're a fan, or friend, or straight-up Blast groupie, you should be in attendance when they officially release his LP on Sept. 28 at Club Living. With things convening at 5 p.m., there's more than enough time in the night to shine light on FP Crew's new record Expose as well, which will be featured in the evening's festivities. Both albums will be in stores on the 28th.

Some good news for MTL hip hop affiliates Slangblossom, with EMI set to pick up their first LP Convulsions as well as their label Arbour. The album will be available across Canada as of Sept. 28 with an enhanced CD and both of the group's videos. This will coincide nicely with their second video, for "The Hate," which will have been killin' MuchMusic by then. Check out www.slangblossom.com for all the news you need and more.

Tonight, Thursday, Sept. 16, check out the live grooves of Kokoro when they hit the stage at le Swimming for an end-of-summer reunion. They'll be sharing chops with Ottawa hip hop crew A.O.T for a $5 night of music.

Looking ahead, word has it that J-Live is coming back to town with the Montana albino and sick MC Brother Ali as part of a tour with Montreal's Halified son, Skratch Bastid. This trio will sit pretty at Foufounes on Wednesday, Oct. 13, so keep an eye out for further info.

Note: I'll be playing a special set in memory of my shitty couch next Tuesday, Sept. 21 at Casa del Popolo's weekly We Sold Our Soul to Rawk and Rawl night. I will be packing heat...

Take a minute… and check out DJ Manifest & 7D's Black Star: The Remix Album, available at Off the Hook (1021a Ste-Catherine W.).

The wider spectrum brother... fathead@videotron.ca

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