by SCOTT C

What with the weather cooperating and the Suoni Per il Popolo’s alternate musical agenda rolling out the sunshine, what better way to jumpstart your week than by attending the Public Transit Recordings Showcase at la Sala Rossa tonight, Thursday, June 8. As the only completely mental electronic/soul/hip hop event at the festival, those of you with a hankering for this stuff should make a move. On the menu, you’ve got LAL’s hefty helping of dubbed-out electronic soul with a conscience, as well as the rib-tickling bossa-breakbeat madness of Moonstarr on the cut. Also joining the fray is funky Plateau superfreak Tony Ezzy, the dancefloor-jazz vintage of DJ Andy Williams, the bruk-step shuffle of DJ Dialect and the mixed-bag master DJ Tashish. Look out for PTR resident hip hop head More or Les as well, as he ponders the current state of hip hop like only he can. He’s got a new LP out now on PTR called The Truth About Rap, and just like everybody already knows, Y’ALL CAN’T HANDLE THE TRUTH!

Those Solid State girls are at it again, with a brand new breakdance show opening at the Fringe Festival this weekend at Théâtre la Chapelle (3700 St-Dominique). It’s Not You... It’s Me gets underway on Sunday, with no less than six shows playing out between June 11 and 18. The first show begins at 7 p.m. on June 11, and not 6 p.m. as has been listed, but you can find out more of the particulars by visiting www.solidstatebreakdance.com.

Like the phoenix from the flame comes the return of Montreal MC Gundei, who plans to release his brand new LP Ghetto Gospel on Friday, June 30. As one of the original artists to come out of the mid-’90s Zoobone Records activity, Gundei has been rapping for a minute, but returns with a fresh and hungry voice for 2006. Visit his Web site, www.gundei.com, for the whole story, and watch this space for further details on the upcoming release.

Looks like Kwite Sane took Montreal DJ of the Year at the first annual Stylus DJ Awards in Toronto, on May 29 at the York Event Theatre. A-Trak stole another Turntablist of the Year title, while Butcher T was finally inducted into the DJ Hall of Fame for introducing hip hop and soul to Canada in the late ’70s through his contribution to Montreal radio.

Seven reasons it’s natural:
1. Busta Rhymes & Q-tip “You Can’t Hold the Torch” (CDR)
2. Nicolay feat. Black Spade “I Am the Man” (BBE)
3. Yarah Bravo “Bluebird” 7D remix (CDR)
4. Murs & 9th Wonder “Yesterday & Today” (Record Collection)
5. Les 2Tom Têtes dans la lune (Northern Corp)
6. Voice “Guerillahustlin” (PTR)
7. Dilla & Von P “I Love it” (CDR)

HOW MUCH FOR ONE RIB!? fathead@videotron.ca

>> Music Listings