by SCOTT C

I know it won’t be very long before you’re beat about the head and faced with Montreal Jazz Festival information, but I thought I should at least let you know what I think will be some of the indoor shows worth banking on. I always manage to screw up my own personal schedule of live stuff, usually based on sheer stupidity and the odd free-show distraction in the street, but it’s at least good to know what you’ll be missing if you’re anything like me.

June 30 brings the legendary Pharaoh Sanders to town for a show at Spectrum, while locals Plaster and DJ Kobal do their thing over at Club Soda. Beatbox and “mouth as instrument” ensemble Bauchklang team up with our own DJ Soulsista for a July 1 show at Club Soda, a show that seems to be conflicting with a Buck 65 and Killa Jewel team-up that apparently occurs in the same place at the same time. I’m sure that will get ironed out soon enough. July 3 finds young British jazz prodigy Jamie Callum at the piano at Théâtre Maisonneuve, while Seu Jorge and his authentic Brazilian vibe hold down the fort at le Spectrum.

On July 4, the unstoppable DJ Shadow sidesteps the small potatoes for a big spectacle over at Metropolis. It’s the first time he’s toured in almost four years, as he gets ready to release a brand new LP on Universal, but I can’t remember when he was in Montreal last. I wonder what he’ll play? Just a hunch, but don’t bother wearing your “I Love Trip Hop” t-shirt. He’s kind of like Philly superstars the Roots, who, while getting ready to release their own brand new album on DefJam, are making a long-overdue stop in Montreal to play Metropolis on July 7. I still like to whine and complain about how I’d love to see Black Thought, Hub, Kamal and ?uestlove with about 300 of my closest friends, like they used to do back in the day, but I really don’t see that happening anytime soon.

Finally, like I’ve been saying for the last couple months, make sure you get your ass to Jamie Lidell and Vincent Lemieux at Club Soda on July 7. No half-stepping sound technicians will be allowed in the place that night! After watching Mr. Lidell and his golden voice push the logical parameters of the sound system at Lee’s Palace in Toronto, I can’t wait to see the face on the lucky sound guy who’ll be working that show. Expect to be blown away by this man’s singing voice, and his “build-a-track-on-the-spot” spontaneity. This will be the strangest mix of true soul and instant techno-funk that you will digest all year. How’s that for hype?

Seven reasons young Standen’s on the move:
1. Beatconductor “Sumthin Betta” (GAMM)
2. Prince “Lady Cab Driver” (Warner)
3. Osunlade “Crazy Love” (Ubiquity)
4. Norman Connors “You Are My Starship” (Buddah)
5. Outkast “Mightyo” (CDR)
6. Black Spade “St. Louellyn’s Misery” (Recasto)
7. Various Natural Selection (Nature Sounds)

WHO SAID 30 IS THE NEW 20? fathead@videotron.ca

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