by SCOTT C

If you’ve never noticed, I like to get excited about people making music right here in Montreal. I’m a lover not a fighter, but if one more person says that MTL is “problematic,” or “lacking in talent that can effectively compete in a growing urban market,” I’m gonna karate-chop somebody in the throat. Two guys in town decided to shed even more light on Montrealers making moves on their own terms in the realm of hip hop production with a new documentary called Before it Drops. Filmmakers Daniel Rosenberg and Patrick Cooke Poirier took four locals—Simahlak, Parafino, DJ Twitch and DJ Manifest—and put the spotlight on how they make the music that they do, as well as some of the things they have to go through while trying to get their names out there. The doc, which will screen at Concordia’s Hall Building, Room 110, on Friday, April 21 at 7 p.m., features appearances from Bless, Ray Ray, Malik Shaheed, Manchilde, Baby Blak and many, many more.

Tonight, Thursday, April 6 is a big night for Jojo Flores and his well-oiled team, as Therapy is reborn as another version of the city’s longest-running night for soulful house and Afro-Latin rhythms. Like a sleepy bear rousing from a long, refreshing nap, Therapy moves into its new home at Academy, with special guest Quentin Harris in tow. Should be a busy one.

On Friday, we’ll see if Academy can roll two nights in a row, with the return of the party crasher, DJ Low Budget. I predict mayhem and madness at what will probably resemble a Hollertronix affair, not to mention that Daddy Maysr and A-Rob Kills are also on the bill. That night will cost you a cool $10, but it’s easily worth three fins if we’re talking straight. Expect hip hop, dancehall, booty, punk, funk, rock, electro and whatever’s clever.

That same night, on the early-bird tip, local hero Gene Starship, of HVW8 fame, is inviting you to come out and take a peek at some of his newer works at Salon Daomé, paintings and pieces that require further investigation for sure. The show starts at 7:30 p.m., and you’re welcome to come and look around until 10 p.m. Mood music will be provided by Alex Robbins and yours truly.

If you’re one of the many that have been frequenting Blizzarts for reggae on Wednesday nights for the last few years, you should know that two of the regular selectors, Jah Mikes and Kelly Nunes, have started a new weekly right next door at Blue Dog. With conscious reggae planned for every Wednesday night, April 12 welcomes guests Riddim Wise Soundsystem, Renegade International and good ol’ Maysr.

Seven reasons it’s in your own backyard:
1. Salt N’ Pepa “My Mic Sounds Nice” (Next Plateau)
2. Jamie Lidell “Multiply (In a Minor Key)” (Warp)
3. Paul MacInnes “You Don’t Know Me” (CDR)
4. Visioneers Dirty Old Hip Hop (BBE)
5. Tragedy Khadafi Blood Ballads (25 to Life)
6. Bubba Sparxxx The Charm (Virgin)
7. Ghostface Fishscale (DefJam)

3D HOUSE OF PANCAKES... fathead@videotron.ca

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