by SCOTT C

This week, my next-door neighbours came back from several months in Venezuela, and I had to give up the Fender Rhodes piano that I've been babysitting since they left. I am by no means a threat to anyone on the keys, but it was nice to have it around, even if I didn't return to my Grade 5 piano-book exercises. The beautiful thing about the Rhodes is that even my caveman noodling sounds warm and engaging, and I'm gonna miss it. Sniff...

Speaking of warm and engaging, local band Eclipse continues to turn out Sablo Kafé every Friday night from 7:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. If you're a fan of the Kalmunity Tuesdays that happen in the same spot every week, you should get a kick out of this Friday-night happening.

Atach Tatuq is getting ready to reclaim the title of Montreal's tightest crew of MCs, DJs, producers and graf writers with the completion of their new LP Deluxxx, scheduled for release sometime in June. These guys have been quiet for a minute, but with so many heads involved, you know they're about to step it up. You can thank Hest for the ill cover art (above).

Take a long look at the Montreal International Reggae Festival's boom lineup this July and you'll realize that this is indeed one of a kind in Canadian festivals. Thought you'd never get a chance to see Yellowman, outside of a dirty-shake-induced nightmare? Well, he's coming. So are Sugar Minott, Shinehead, Mikey Dread, Gregory Issacs, Rankin Scroo, Little John and Morgan Heritage, for starters. And if you're reading this, Pablo, both Chaka Demus & Pliers and Snow will be taking the stage too, so you better be there in a "horseman style." Dip into www.montrealreggaefestival.com for all the details and particulars.

Looks like the reggae fest couldn't have come at a better time for RaseTV, a new reggae and soca music show hosted by CFMB's Lisa J and CKUT's Prymtym. The half-hour show, which will air on CH, Bell ExpressVu and Rogers Digital on Fridays at 11 p.m., is set to begin running early in June. Nice one, guys. If I see Mosé Persico reporting from Reggae Sunsplash one more time, I'm gonna kill myself.

Seven reasons I smell a rat:
1. Quantic Soul Orchestra "Get a Move On" (Ubiquity)
2. Plant Life The Return of Jack Splash (Counterflow)
3. The Souljazz Orchestra Uprooted (Funk Manchu)
4. Danny Breaks "The Jellyfish" (Raw Fusion)
5. Kalmunity Live@Sablo June 16/04 (CDR)
6. Common Be (Geffen)
7. Soltribe "The Riva" (CDR)

BOBBY KONDERS TO THE BOOTH, PLEASE... fathead@videotron.ca

>> Music Listings