And ya don’t stop

So, Under Pressure weekend is here, and after 13 years of graffiti writers from around the world, hungry b-boys and b-girls strutting their stuff, local and visiting MCs getting up on the mic, and enough DJs to fill a city bus, I’m just happy it’s not supposed to rain. See www.underpressure.ca for all the deets, or refer to my primer elsewhere in this very issue.

By some crazy coincidence, the urban arts festival Hip Hop You Don’t Stop 2008 jumps off in NDG today, Thursday, Aug. 7, at Notre Dame de Grace Park at noon, runs to 8 p.m., and continues on Friday from noon to 10 p.m. Today promises a graffiti competition on trucks, a breakdancing competition, live painting, a kiosk where you can get your own items personally airbrushed and live performances from Ziplocks, Manchilde, Ladee Royalty, Serious and DJ Static. Friday houses a basketball tournament, a poppin’ workshop at 12:30 p.m., a poppin’ competition at 1 p.m. and some krumping at 4 p.m. Also on deck to perform on Friday are Nemesis Sound, DJ Naes, C-Koo Slim, D.P.C., Adris Da Prince, Kozi, Implosion, Skandal, Lokita and many more. Special guests Nomadic Massive and Mikey Dangerous will also take part in the festivities with a special perfromance at 6 p.m. For more info, call (514) 802-4381 or go to www.preventionndg.org.

ECLECTRIC AVENUES: DJ A-Dubs

If you need another funk, soul, hip hop, jazz and house fix in your search for the perfect beat, I suggest you check out Adrian Warner’s Eclectricity on CJLO.com. Warner, aka DJ A-Dubs, celebrates two years of great music this month with a slew of special shows. Aug. 9 is Shake & Brakes, delving into ’60s and ’70s funk, soul, rock and jazz breaks, while Aug. 16 is the New Music Seminar with a look at new movements in funk, R&B, dancehall, hip hop and house at their best. You can also check out the show archives at eclectricity.podomatic.com.

It’s been a long time since I put out the call for local music, as you might have noticed, probably because it’s become a hell of a lot easier to find the tunes yourself if you really want to. Having said that, I’m asking any locals making hip hop, funk, soul and jazz or next shit who have new music, projects or one-off tunes that they’d like to push to get in touch. I’m always listening to new stuff and I’m still amazed at the great finds that come out of Montreal all the time. Shoot me a CD with any pertinent info I should know, and we’ll go from there. Can’t wait!

Seven reasons I already knew you were going to say that:
1. Morgan Zarate feat. Eska & Ghostface “Sticks and Stones” (CDR)
2. Nas “Hey Nas” Quincey Tones remix (CDR)
3. Barbara Acklin “Am I the Same Girl” Local People remix
(Victor Japan)
4. Elizabeth Shepherd “Parkdale” Nostaligia 77 remix
(Do Right)
5. Think Twice feat. Fineprint & Shubert “Tell Me” (P-Vine Japan)
6. INC. “OH8bit” (CDR)
7. Bernard Purdie “All Pink on the Inside” (Light in the Attic)

DOUBLE SMOKED! fathead@videotron.ca