by SCOTT C

When I spoke to Jeru the Damaja earlier this week, I held back from asking him if he remembered the last time he took the stage in Montreal, when D-Shade ceremoniously served him his microphone on a plate with fries and sauce. He’s probably removed it from his memory. Some MCs can still take the stage and know they’re the best MC in the room, but there’s nothing like someone from the audience to show you how it’s done. Makes me think of that time Black Sheep came to Montreal, only Dres didn’t make it across the border, so we were treated to the genius of Mr. Lawnge for way too long. Here we are thinking, “At least this guy is about to kill us with a DJ set, or at least a few of the hits,” and then he confesses to the pumped audience that he doesn’t even really know the songs. He starts calling for people in the audience who know the words to “The Choice is Yours” because he doesn’t KNOW THE SONG! I was embarrassed for him, but it was still funny.

Anyone looking to try and jump onstage with Jedi Mind Tricks should know that these guys are coming to town on April 26, for a show at Foufounes. Tickets should be on sale soon enough.

Got a note announcing that A-Trak is going on tour to support the shitstorm of buzz that his new DVD Sunglasses Is a Must is dusting up. Funny thing is, as I work down through Haverford, Cleveland, Portland, Baton Rouge and Lansing, I don’t see a Montreal date on this list. I mean, there’s even a Toronto and an Ottawa date on there, so where’s the Montreal shindig going down? And will Kanye be there? Apparently, this is not just a DJ set but a show, “mixing party-rocking prowess with mind-boggling technical ability.” The value of this little tour would go up 200 per cent if A-Trak is doing all of these dates in a bathrobe while toting a glass of cognac.

Last weekend, Ghislain Poirier’s monthly Bounce le Gros night over at Zoobizarre was cancelled due to structural renovations to the adjoining building, so this Saturday, April 1, you can catch the night, featuring Ottawa’s Disorganised DJs (DJ Booth, Chameleonic and Bonjay doing a live thing). The Disorganized guys have always had people talkin’ about their parties down Ottawa way, and I’m sure they won’t disappoint in MTL.

Seven reasons to clean out your ears:
1. The Streets The Hardest Way to Make an Easy Living (679)
2. The Bamboos “Transcend Me” (Ubiquity)
3. Ghostface “Strap” (Def Jam)
4. Visioneers Dirty Old Hip Hop (BBE)
5. Theology 3 “Everything’s Changed” (independent)
6. Eddie Hazel “Frantic Moment” (Rhino)
7. Clara Hill feat. Atjazz “Nowhere (I Can Go)” (Sonar Kollektiv)

THAT’S MY SEED... fathead@videotron.ca

>> Music Listings