Chiwawa The Sick World of Iona (self)

One bassist from Bulgaria (ex-Clouds), one drummer from New Brunswick (ex-Brasse Camarade), one guitarist/samplist (Luc St-Pierre) and one Laurie Gordon (voice, words) are Chiwawa, an ambitious little local dawg whose bark has some bite. And if the band is a mixed bag, then so is their music--a bag of Garbage you might say--and that's no dis. Airy guit-pop and barely trip hop get smushed together and smell pretty good. 7/10 (Chris Yurkiw) At Isart Thursday, Nov. 6

Various Inhale-Fig. 1 (Indica/Outside)

This compilation--only the second product from Grim Skunk's label--draws lines between prog rock, punk, experi-metal, funkcore, ska and reggae. You've got locals like Voivod and Guano (Indica's first signing) next to Ottawa's freaky Furnaceface and Hamilton raggametalists Race, as well as bands from Norway, France, Australia and the good ol' U.S. of A. Like Grim Skunk, this is diverse in its sources and consistent in it's quality. 8/10 (Rupert Bottenberg)

Brian McKnight Anytime (Polygram)

Judging from this set's lead single, the ultra-hip & funky "You Should be Mine," I was half expecting McKnight to have abandoned his balladeer roots in a desperate attempt to capture the interest of the hip hop nation. Thankfully, this is not the case. Sure, he grooves a bit more now, like with the sample-heavy "Jam Knock," but McKnight still sticks to what he knows best: heartfelt slow jams like "Could" and the jazzy title track. 7.5/10 (Gerard Dee)

Stéphane Crytes Synthèse (DSM/Unidisc)

This is the premier release by a local trio headed by drummer Crytes, with Dany Roy on tenor and trumpet and Norman Lachapelle on electric bass. It's a very strong 10-cut CD which includes "Dolo" by Dolo Coker, "Epistrophy" by Monk and "Satellite" by Trane. Improvisation is the order and there's some cutting edge playing by all. 8.5/10 (Len Dobbin)

Copyright Liberation Front: Highly illegal mixed tape of the week!

DJ Dazy & DJ Bagga Ride the Hardcore Bus

Even if every track on this mixie comes from N.Y. label Industrial Strength, it still gives a good idea of where hardcore gabba-style techno has gone. Straight into dumbo horror flicks and threats to "fuck your mother" at 180 BPM. It's just so cheap. And that's why it rules. Now that the greater techno-scape has gone all plinky and serious, it's good to know some are remembering the core. Atari Teenage Riot fans might want to get this to find out where Alex Empire gets his "highly original" ideas. 7.5/10 (Mireille Silcott)