Steal this book

In keeping with the vault of talent and the always impending outpouring of music, poetry and general upliftment coming from the Kalmunity Vibe Collective and its various offshoots comes Intimate Sky Chapter 8. Tonight, Thursday, June 5, Jason Blackbird Selman launches his new book, The Freedom I Stole, published on www.cumuluspress.com, at the comfortable Salon Tapis Rouge (2152 Bleury). Blackbird has invited WeFunk DJs Professor Groove and DJ Static to handle the music for the night. Doors are at 8 p.m., with Selman doing a solo a cappella set starting at 9 p.m. After that, things get busy with a super-cypher featuring vocalists from both Kalmunity and Nomadic Massive. Five dollars gets you in.

The Payz Play DJs warm up the spot this Friday at Blizzarts, when DJ Naej and DJ Ephiks join resident DJ Lexis for some Friday-night foolishness. If you haven’t already seen the video for “Il était 2 fois,” off their new LP Payz Play, you can check it out in all its painstakingly precise glory at http://tinyurl.com/66fevs.

I just received word from on high (Rickey D) that the world’s greatest old-school DJ is coming back to Montreal for a very special engagement on Monday, June 30, at Time Supper Club. If you’ve always wanted to see Grandmaster Flash rockin’ the wheels of steel in an ideal setting, then perhaps you should take note. Stay tuned for more info.

Those of you looking for a spot that features a weekly helping of Afro-Latino grooves will want to check out the official launch of Brazika at Cafe de Lima this Friday. The launch promises live music from Adama Zon, choreography from Samba Gafiera and live percussion, as well as resident DJ Kani and regular appearances from guests Kobal, Masala, Sly and Santos. Get ready for some free food and other freebies on Friday night for a mere $5 at the door.

A quick look down the line finds Megasoid and Montreal’s Turbo Crunk massive hosting Scottish beat monster Hudson Mohawke and his Irish cohort Mike Slott on June 28 at Coda. They’ll be joined by Lucky Me label head Dom Sum on the decks. Some next level neck-snap for real, if you know what I mean. Check www.myspace.com/thisisluckyme for a taste.

Seven reasons y’all need to chop that wood:
1. Hawthorne Headhunters “She Wanna” (HVW8)
2. Marlena Shaw “California Soul” Diplo remix (Verve)
3. Buraka Som Sistema “Sound of Kuduro” ft. DJ Znobia,
Saborosa, Puto Prata, M.I.A. (CDR)
4. Lettuce ft. Dwele “Move On Up” (Unique)
5. Daedelus “Make It So” Samiyam remix (Ninja Tune)
6. Dam Funk “The Long Way Home” (CDR)
7. Aqeel “Wake Up” (CDR)

DON’T MAKE ME GET THE BELT! fathead@videotron.ca