The ugliest man in techno by KRISTA There is so much going on in our magnificent city this weekend that I almost don't have to think as I write this column. That's not to say that thinking is bad, or that I generally have a hard time with it or anything, but at times I'm what you might refer to as organizationally challenged. Bear with me, it usually passes within a few days. Despite slight cerebral malfunctions, I have managed to compile a small list of must-have tunes for the week. Starting with the obvious, true music lovers everywhere will want to get their dirty little hands on the new Swag record, in stores this week. It's called Jazz Jumper and it's on a new label called Version (I just can't get enough of those shuffled beats of love). A must-have for the avid techno-head (a terrible term, I know), Detroit's original sound architects Underground Resistance have a new compilation CD/LP out called Interstellar Fugitive. Yummy. French house label Bassnotic has created a sub-label called Bassnotic Beats in honour, it would seem, of its first 12" entitled simply Raw Beats 1­9, Volume 1. The man behind the music is DJ Gregory, who is responsible for a remix on Cheek records (also French). Trust me... this week it will feel good to spend money. Bon Voyage to DJ Laflèche (Sona Afterhours) who is, as we speak, in Tunisia on a small tour. I hope for his sake that he doesn't encounter any political upheavals or anything. Time to get down to the nitty-gritty. Thursday night Angel's is hosting a drum & bass special with Christian Farley (yes, that's right), Gnat, Sase-One, Spinal and Jordan Dare. Whether or not they'll all play, I'm not sure, so you'll have to go to find out. Friday night the "ugliest man in techno," Andrew Weatherall, is in at Sona. Apparently he's also the "man who never gives an interview." He's probably not all that ugly and I'm probably going to get in trouble for printing that twice now, but hey... it sells. $18 at the door, and this is Mr. Weatherall's first Montreal appearance. Don't miss out. Saturday night there are two worthwhile events, it just depends on whether you're an indoor person or an outdoor person. At Sona there's NYC's Lord G (that's the indoor part) for $20, or you can head out to Mirabel and party in the forest at The Arrival 2. Promoters Millennium are calling it "North America's Largest Music Festival." So we're back at the size thing again. Yikes. At any rate, it certainly looks like it will be large. DJs of note who will be participating in the pagan-like ritualistic all-night dance are Tim Taylor, Colin Favor, Mike Dearborn, Steve Stoll, Scott Richmond, the Stickmen, Mistress Barbara, Yaz, Tiga, Max Graham and Neerav, to name a few. Tickets are $35, call 790-1245 for info. Rock on. Alas, no one has replied to my plea concerning the pink new-age bear (see last week's column). Perhaps this will entice: the bear now sleeps with me. You can e-mail krista at secondnature98@hotmail.com