by SCOTT C

As you may well have heard, Montreal’s own Nomadic Massive have been busy getting ready to record their next album under the warm, inviting sun of Havana, Cuba. Nomadic gets love in Cuba, mainly because of the time they’ve already spent there, building bridges and connecting with like minded musicians, activists and community projects, but that doesn’t mean they don’t need your help. On Saturday, July 1, Nomadic take the hip hop to the people once again, with a live show at Nest to raise funds for the trip to Cuba.

Coming up on Saturday, July 8, DJ Moka celebrates the one-year anniversary of his Cosmic Café monthly at Academy Club, with a special appearance by the one and only Joe Claussell from Spiritual Life Music in NYC. This DJ, remixer and producer, who achieved legendary status with his residency at New York’s Body and Soul, has worked dancefloors into a soulful sweat from here to Stuttgart and has also collaborated with everyone from Herbie Hancock to Louie Vega. Tix are $15 in advance at In Beat or Moog Audio, $20 at the door.

This Wednesday, June 28, interested heads might want to check out the release party for Velvet Trench Vibes’ new LP, Opium Lounge, at Petit Campus, brought to you by your friendly neighborhood ICM Records. I’ve been hearing tidbits from these guys for some time, and even put out an open call for some joints once or twice, but this is the first official release I’ve seen. Sounding raw and hungry, with keen ears for tight beats, these guys could be ones to watch in the next while. Some MTL cats are still scratching their heads, wondering how VTV managed to score a spot in a MuchVibe TV commercial without even having a record out, but soon you’ll know why.

Kemia, at 4115 St-Denis, has been reaping the benefits of housing the Erik Hove Trio on Monday nights for the last while, and on June 26, the band consisting of Erik Hove on sax, Miles Perkin on bass and Thom Gossage on drums plays the Kemia stage for the last time before their Jazz Fest gig on June 29. That night, they take the stage at Parc Hydro- Québec for two shows, at 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. Hove is a monster on the horn, and stands to win some awards for his serious chops.

This Sunday, June 25, the Coco Café spokenword crowd moves into Pub Quartier-Latin to welcome back Ottawa’s John Akpata. This outof- town favourite will be flanked by the usual Coco suspects, including Aliyah Thomas, Zu, Steel, Maggie Metalus, Katalyst and more. Music, as always, is provided by the more than capable Franky Selector, and $8 gets you in as of 8 p.m.

Seven reasons you should carry a sickle with you everyday:
1. Omar ft. Common & Rodney P “Gimme Sum” (Ether)
2. J Davey “Mr. Mister” (CDR)
3. P.U.T.S. “You” (Basement)
4. Black Spade “Newbit” (CDR)
5. Aloe Blacc “Whole World” (Stones Throw)
6. Busta Rhymes ft. Q-Tip “You Can’t Hold the Torch” (Aftermath)
7. Mobb Deep “Peer Pressure” (4th & Broadway)

fathead@videotron.ca

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