Beat time

by SCOTT C

Velvet Trench Vibes may not ring any bells for you, but this Montreal hip hop crew are still one of my favourites from around the way. These guys are set to share the stage with Energizer Bunny D-Shade on Saturday, March 1, at 1001 Lenoir in St-Henri, next to the Home Depot, for a limited capacity show. Doors are at 9 p.m., with $5 entry, but you should call (514) 836-1739, or e-mail perry@rockstarmusiccorp.com, if you absolutely have to get in.

Fred Everything returns to Montreal on Friday, bringing with him his sweaty Lazy Days Sessions. You’re in store for what will surely be a full and funky house over at Jupiter Room, with the Soulmeka family back in full effect. Make sure you get there early.

Just a few notes for the beatmakers out there who can charm the ears off anybody who’ll listen about the always-growing pool of opportunities to get your music heard. Buck 65 has been running a remix contest for his song “Dang” for the last little while over at www.dose.ca. You can grab the original parts to the song there, after which you have until March 3 to submit your remix digitally. The song is from Buck’s latest, Situation, produced entirely by professional scene-stealer Skratch Bastid and for which he’s been nominated for a Juno Award for Producer of the Year. There’s $1,000 dollars in Reason software up for grabs, and the chance to get your tune on the b-side of the “Dang” seven-inch limited edition vinyl. Get movin’.

Next, everybody’s favourite radio show, Off the Hook on CKUT 90.3FM, is looking for local beatmakers to showcase on the show. They’re asking people to submit six beats each, to be used as background music for their “hilarious” banter and professional foolishness. They’re asking people to listen to the show and, y’know, get a feel for their classic, rugged, underground hip hop vibe before sending in music that is clearly inappropriate. You have to send them, though. So get your six MP3s ready and send them to yourbeat2008@gmail.com, and they’ll make you famous. Remember to include your e-mail address, your production name and info, and where people can check out your material online.

More? Keyboard don and beat-masher Mark de Clive Lowe has made each and every song from his Politik project with Bembe Segue available for remixing in the Politik Remix Album + Artwork Competition, on his blog. This rich album of soul, hip hop, broken-beat jazz and funk is a treat for anybody who loves analog synths, crazy vocals and big drums galore, so have fun with the parts, which you can find at tinyurl.com/ypma58. They’re also putting the album artwork up for remix, so do your thing and take it to the next level.

Seven reasons to have your passport handy:
1. The Narcicyst “Donita Havabomb” (independent)
2. Erykah Badu “The Healer” (Universal)
3. Buck 65 “Dang” (Clyke Street remix) (Warner)
4. Million Dollar Orchestra Better Days (BBE)
5. Ty & Kory Raw & Bangin’ Vol. 2 (Buddah Brown)
6. Moonstarr “Tigerfunk” (PTR)
7. Heist “Tokyo Job” (Getaway)

YOU SEE WHAT I DID THERE? fathead@videotron.ca