Tricky Wu

by SCOTT C

Is it time for another Roots album already? That could only mean that it’s also time for yet another Roots tour, as the two generally go hand in hand at this stage in the game. Well, that’s partly true. The Roots are getting ready to release their 10th album, Rising Down, on April 29, and they’ll be backing up the lovely and loony Erykah Badu when they play a show together on May 6 in Montreal. Happening at the Old Port, this $60 show will hopefully go down without any snow on the ground. Erykah is touring to promote her recently released album New Amerykah, Pt. One: 4th World War.

And what about the Wu-Tang Clan? They’re set to take over Metropolis on April 21—keep your fingers crossed, because if everybody makes it into the country and to the stage, we could have one of those all-out, anything-can-happen hip hop shows on our hands. The promo mentions GZA, Ghostface (thank you!), Raekwon, Inspectah Deck, U-God, Masta Killa and Cappadonna, but there’s no sign of the RZA. Everybody knows that Method Man, aka Cheese, is busy collecting those Screen Actors Guild cheques, so forget about him. If you read the very small print, you’ll see that Street Life will also be a featured part of the show. You can check that out for $45.

But just maybe, the Wu is not really for you, and you might be a little more comfortable listening to the award-winning processed vocals of T-Pain all night long. T-Pain, who is balling after being the featured guest on every single record that Akon didn’t sing on, and the success of his chart-topping solo LP Epiphany, is bringing his Nappy Boy recording artists Jay Lyriq, Tay Dizm and Sophia Fresh to Metropolis for a show on April 13, billed as the T-Pain and Family Playlist Tour. Make sure you get some cell phone video of that show for those of us who unfortunately will not be in attendance.

One Spirit Underground Music presents a new weekly cultural event called the Solidground Movement, exploring deep house music and the dance styles that the DJs make possible every week. The launch party happens on Friday at Maison du Tango (7520 St-Hubert, #305). You can learn to “jack,” “skate” and “stomp” with some of Montreal’s best house dancers, like Marvin Baptiste, Dazl of Jack Fresno, Dimplz, Linx and special guests. Class starts at 10 p.m., and the night continues on afterwards with guest DJs such as Don Barbarino, Miss Molly, B’ugo, Jawn Deep, the Sessionists, Slim, A. Soul and special invites. No cover for first-timers.

Seven reasons I’ve got to see a man about a donkey:
1. Nickodemus & Quantic “Mi Swing Es Tropical” Tempo Zeb Remix (ESL)
2. Jean Grae “It’s Alright” (Orchestral)
3. Jay Electronica “Hard to Get” (CDR)
4. Midnight Express “Danger Zone” (Tri-City)
5. Indigone Trio “Visions” (Ropeadope Digital)
6. Phuturistix More Than the Eye Can See (Phuture Lounge)
7. Ben Westbeech “Hang Around” Karizma’s Deeper 1 Mix (Brownswood)

WWW.MUXTAPE.COM… fathead@videotron.ca