Busted! by SCOTT C It seems that all of a sudden the authorities have some sort of interest in the wonderful world of underground mixed tapes. Not that the cops are lining up on their donut breaks to scoop the latest DJ Clue tape, but they're scooping them just the same. It started in Toronto earlier this week when RCMP and Metro Police closed both TRAXX and Play De Record, the two largest record stores in the city, in order to seize what they called "contraband material." "They came in drug-bust style," explains my old partner DJ Serious, a TRAXX employee who was present during the raid. "They said they had a search warrant, asked the patrons to leave, and locked the door. I'm not sure they knew exactly what they were looking for." When all was said and done, though, every house, hip hop and R&B mixed tape in the store was confiscated, while the owners of the store and the employees on staff that day were charged with fraud under $5,000. With a November 15 court date pending, it'll be interesting to see what the outcome of this whole fiasco is in the end. If you want to get technical, the cops probably do have a case, but who do you charge? The DJ? The retailer? The consumer? Everybody knows that mixed tapes are pretty much a win/win situation for all involved. The labels producing singles included on mixed tapes should know by now that it's the number one way to promote any given track. People who buy tapes on the regular, make decisions for their vinyl and CD collections based on the inclusion of a given track on a tape, while having the luxury of hearing several different artists all in one shot. It's been going on forever! I don't know who's responsible for spilling the beans, but the cops can't stop it. They're probably bumpin' the latest JoJo Flores tape on the job to "promote a dialogue with the urban youth of the city." All I can say is, all you Montreal record stores watch your back because the cops have decided to venture into the underground. Helene and Celia Faussart, the two sisters from Bordeaux who've been singing in the ears of people worldwide as les Nubians, were to bring their smooth French-African soul to the halls of Kola Note on Parc. I'm dismayed to announce that show has been cancelled. Too bad. If you haven't heard their album Princesses Nubiennes, take heed; these ladies have hit the lush soul, beat-driven, African-influenced nail right on the head. Friday, October 8 is the night that Dubmatique, Apogee, Sans Pression and Muzion take over the Spectrum for a healthy dose of some of the best Franco hip hop the city has to offer. Call 790-1245 for info. And if you missed him in the past, DJ Cash Money is playing at Sona Saturday night, back by popular demand. The living legend always puts on a show and keeps the party movin', so don't miss. : Direct all mixed tapes to: plan_b13@hotmail.com