Oh, Amy..

I know there are a lot of people who probably don’t even know that Amy Winehouse has already played in Montreal, during the Jazz Festival’s Voix du Monde showcase back in 2004. Back then, she was a new U.K. soul/jazz darling, wowing crowds with her deep and soulful voice, and of course those fuck-me pumps. This year she’s on a tear, thanks to the LP Back to Black and its sweet soul sensibilities. Well, I’m here to let you know that she is coming to Canada, but not Montreal. After a scheduled March show was cancelled, probably due to slow ticket sales, she’s now signed on to do two shows at Toronto’s Mod Club, on May 12 and 13. Definitely worth the drive if you can’t get “You Know I’m No Good” out of your head.

Slowly creeping up is a show at le National on March 10 that will feature a cross-section of hip hop acts that dabble in rock, pop and comedy. Get your tickets for P.O.S., who share the stage with the wily band of misfits that are Gym Class Heroes, RX Bandits and the one and only K-OS.

March 25 marks the return of the Roots to Metropolis, where I hope they’re down to make some history. I was talking to a girl the other day who indicated she was dead bored at the last two Roots shows, and was hoping they were packing some old-time goodness. I think I know what she meant, but it’s not the show itself that’s boring, it’s just the kind of show you want to be up close and personal with. If you’re stuck in the back looking over the heads of 1,500 people, something might get lost. You’ve got a whole month to grab a $34.50 ticket, and then rush the stage the minute the doors open. And ?uestlove, I’m right here, baby.

Montreal MC OL1KU is getting ready to release his new CD Control with a show at Café Chaos on March 14. Tix are $5 in advance and $8 at the door for the 8:30 p.m. show, and the first 20 people in the door will receive a complimentary CD. You can check out more from O at www.myspce.com/OL1KU or www.OL1KU.com.

Don’t forget the much-anticipated work of Odessa “Queen” Thornhill as she presents Life Beyond the Sun: Phase II on Sunday, March 4 at Kola Note. This multidisciplinary exploration of voice, dance and drum is the second chapter in a show that debuted to overflowing audiences last year, in a night that will also include songs from Queen’s upcoming EP Who I Am. Joining Queen will be the Wasaika Dance Troupe, as well as a jewellery fashion show by artist André Silas. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door, show’s at 8 p.m.

Lastly, I just got a new mixtape from Frenchi Blanco, mixed by the one and only DJ Manifest, called l’Hommage, which is basically a tip of the hat to everything Wu-Tang. It’s available to download for free from www.hhqc.com, so check it out.

I’ll be comin’ around the mountain when I come... fathead@videotron.ca