Hittin' the Brix by SCOTT C One of the first times that I experienced the enormous stage presence of dub poet Debbie Young was at an early Heavyweight party in the old Stornaway space. Like any party, people were standing around looking at each other, dancing and talkin' shit in the corners, completely unaware that they were about to get shook. Debbie stepped onstage and stole everyone's attention with her first sentence, ripping into a serious patois verse about being young, black and female. Her powerful and personal words have taken her to the 1998 Poetry Slam in Austin, Texas, and won her first place at the Nuyorican Poet's Café Slam in NYC, not to mention made her a strong voice on the Montreal stage. Unfortunately, sweet Miss Young will be leaving us to weave webs in Brixton, England, home of her idol Linton Kwesi Johnson. But before she does, she's leaving Mtl with a treat in the form of her one-woman show When "the Love" Is Not Enough, playing one night only at Rainbow-ites on Thursday, April 6 at 8p.m. Tickets are $7 at the door and the night features performances by other artists like Alex Boutros, Akin Alaga and Debbie's dub poet/revolutionary mom Anilia Soyinka, the only female member of the Jamaican Poets in Unity. Good luck Debbie, Brixton will be well wicked... Make room for the Fader. The newest magazine from the Rotten Apple has arrived slicker than most with some editorial meat and potatoes. The spring 2000 issue explores the often overlooked soulful side of hip hop today as well as delving into the roots of neo and classic soul music. The dynamic duo of D'Angelo and Beck gracing the cover should raise some eyebrows as to what's inside, where articles about vinyl archaeology, Isaac Hayes, Smith and Mighty, Desco Records, Mos Def and DJ P-Trixx combine quite nicely. You can catch the bachelor-funk of head nerd-in-charge Robert Walter at Le Swimming on April 18, as he rolls into town once again for a show with his Twentieth Congress band. Can't really say enough about Robert but his live show is a trip. If you like to work the floor with a Heineken in your hand, this is the place to do it. Also on the 18th, dummy up and get a dose of intelligence with the Progression Sessions tour at Cabaret featuring LTJ Bukem (wicked roight!), DJ Blame, DJ Rantol and MCs Conrad and DRS. Dune duo Double A & Twist will also be dropping the good shit, keepin' the Brits on their toes. Step lightly though, young massive, as the $20 tickets will go faster than gossip up the Main. Info at 282-3979. Finally, congrats to local boy Ricky J (!), now officially a Warner Recording artist, who under the wise tutelage of Ricky D (!) is bound for international stardom. Good luck in the game, guys... Gimme some shows! plan_b13@hotmail.com