by SCOTT C

Those of you who still feel the need to tell me that Bahamadia didn't show up at Under Pressure last weekend should know that I'm well aware. Overall, I think the annual graffiti convention was a success again this year, and it was nice to see people out and about. Vibing to Kool Herc in a proper blocko atmosphere is something that those of you who were there can now safely say you've experienced. A lot of people, including myself, were surprised to learn that Herc employed a rather straightforward approach to DJing, not really fussing around with the subtleties of mixing, blending or scratching, but concentrating on trying to keep people moving, upbeat and happy, with a selection of great tracks. It kind of makes sense that the technical aspects of DJing have progressed in leaps and bounds since Herc was doing his thing back in the day, but you can't beat the opportunity to hang out with a hip hop legend in a parking lot on a Sunday afternoon. Did anybody else catch Herc doing a few hundred pushups behind the DJ tent just before his set? Classic! I saw anti-graffiti maven and city employee Helen Fotopulos getting her ear jawed off by Sterling Downey, the Jimmy Hart of graffiti, but it didn't look like she was being swayed by all that small-talk and swagger. Good times...

Ninja Tune is throwin' some weight around again with two nights that will bring out the heavies for what will no doubt be a drooling Montreal crowd. On August 27 at Club Soda, check Ollie Teeba (the Herbaliser), Bonobo, Blockhead with Omega One, Spank Rock and some special guests. The following day, on August 28, Ninja takes over Piknic Electronik starting at 1 p.m. at Parc Jean-Drapeau with Sixtoo, P-Love, Luv, the ominous Ghost Beard, and those all-important surprise guests. Who will it be? Well, if you're one of the first 1,000 people at Piknic, you'll bag a double Ninja/Big Dada CD for absolutely nothing. Once inside, you can set about figuring out who the mystery guests are. Good luck.

If you've had enough of the free shows, festivals and outdoor events, you might want to spruce up for the Viscaria Cocktail Party on Friday, August 26 with DJs Frivolous, Stephane Cocke and Fred Everything. This intro to their new monthly is all about the finer things - and yes, a jacket and shoes are required. Black tie if you wish, but cigars, vodka martinis, broken-beat, electro-jazz and R&B are on them. That's at Euro-Lounge at 3802 St-Laurent, upstairs from Inbeat.

Seven reasons I'm dreaming of Russian suburbs...
1. Robert Strauss Quasars and Phasars LP (Freerange)
2. P-Love All Up in Your Mind LP (Bully)
3. Platinum "Crush on You " Dr. Who Dat mix (Sonar Kollektiv)
4. Maybe Watson "Dans La Rue" (CDR)
5. Maspyke "Neva Leave " (ABB)
6. Gundei The Essential Gundei EP (Bethel Recordings)
7. Monk.e "Notre Genèse" ft. Demagen, Atach Tatuq, Pako & Pesh, Butta Beats, Filligran, Jamal and Narcycist (independent)

THE AC KEEPS IT HOT!... fathead@videotron.ca

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