Done

by SCOTT C

Some kind of deep magic is at work with Chromeo’s Pee Thugg and Dave 1 opening for Beastie Boys twice in Montreal this week, and the love for our electro-funk duo doesn’t stop there. Apparently, they’ve been approached by ’80s pop duo Hall & Oates and asked to collaborate on their upcoming record. It’s a crazy opportunity that Chromeo will undoubtedly make the most of, but if all of these guys end up in the studio together, somebody needs to be in there with a video camera documenting the entire process. I can see John Oates and Pee Thugg soloing back to back now, Pee on the talk-box and Oates on the guitar. We shall see...

Tonight, Thursday, Sept. 20, at 6 p.m., the Festival International du Film Haïtien is set to screen the film Kidnappings, starring Herman “Caheej” McGloun, Alexandra Deetjen, Reynald Julien and rapper Mecca aka Grimo at Cinema ONF (1564 St-Denis). The film explores the deportation of main character Mario back to his native Haiti, and the desperate world of kidnapping that he’s introduced to by an old friend willing to embrace the underworld in search of socioeconomic stability. Grimo, who is cousin to Wyclef Jean and the latest addition to Jean’s Sak Pasé Records, will also be in Montreal performing at the Havana Café (6562 St-Laurent) on Saturday, when they present a night of poetry and hip hop. He’ll be joined by female MC Kizzy as well. You can check out www.festivalfilmhaitien.com for more info on the entire festival, or www.meccaakagrimo.com for more about the artist.

Slangblossom founding member and MC/producer Daybi has been hard at work crafting his sound for the last while. Since releasing his album First Contact on Bombay Records earlier this year, he’s continued a constant push for visibility and recognition. He’ll be performing at Club Soda on Oct. 3 for Pop Montreal, and opening for DJ Krush on Oct. 5 at le National.

Speaking of Pop Montreal, the lo-fi rock and soul of Cody ChesnuTT makes its first appearance in Montreal with a show at le National on Thursday, Oct. 4, where he’ll be joined by Platinum Pied Pipers vocalist Tiombe Lockhart in the opening slot. Doors are at 10:30 p.m., and tickets are at Off the Hook, Cheap Thrills, Jam Can, Atom Heart and l’Oblique.

Looks like the last issue of Straight No Chaser Magazine is officially on the shelves. After 20 years of independent, underground, experimental and avant-garde explorations into hip hop, funk, soul, jazz, Latin, African and Brazilian music, plus many a primer on breaking international scenes and sounds, it’s over. Grab this collector’s item if you know what’s best, complete with a look back and contributions from Gilles Peterson, designers Swifty and Mitchy Bwoy, Tyler Askew, Louis Vega, Max Cole, Dom Servini and many, many more.

End of an era... fathead@videotron.ca