Mojo marauder by SCOTT C Somebody pointed out that if I mentioned D'Angelo and the fact that he wasn't coming here once more, that I could expect a beating of sorts. You can trust me--I will not even think about writing about Michael D'Angelo Archer until I get back from his show in T.O. this week. Superstar Ricky D says he'll pull some strings, work his magic and grease the right palms to get us backstage where I can step to D man to man--and steal his mojo! Montreal has no worries! The word from concert intelligence (VSP Productions) is that there is no cause for alarm because we'll be up to our eyes in shows before you can say, "Is there a guest list?" The dashing young professional that we like to call Victor Africa has been running up the phone bill trying to put the finishing touches on this years alternate Jazz Festival lineup--y'know, the ones we all line up for? Here's what you have to look forward to. 1. A live outdoor show by Ekova. 2. United Future Organization making their first appearance in Montreal. 3. The abstract and eclectic hip hop styles of Blackalicious. 4. The clown Prince of unique and groundbreaking hip hop production Prince Paul. 5. The understated genius of Smith & Mighty. 6. The rotund King of quirk, Fantastic Plastic Machine. 7. The overwhelming rhythms of Bossa Tres Jazz. Start banking that ticket money now, or get your guest list cronies on speed-dial because these shows will be here in no time. We're looking at the last week in June and the first week of July for these treats, not to mention the rest of the Jazz Fest lineup. Jazz legend Sting is coming, for god's sake! I've been trying to steal his mojo for years. I spoke to Raphael Saadiq and Ali Shaheed Muhammad about a week and a half ago about their new thang Lucy Pearl. For those of you who don't know, Saadiq is one of the guys from Tony Toni Tone, Shaheed was in a group called A Tribe Called Quest, and their third member Dawn used to be in En Vogue. I can't stop bumpin' this record. I even caught ruffneck DJ Simahlak boppin' to this shit last week. "We've all been through the industry," explains Saadiq, "that's why it seems like we havin' so much fun on this record--it's 'cause we are!" The fact that album is on Saadiq's own label Pookie Records may also account for the "soulful fun" he's talkin' about, but take it from me--this is on the summer jams to the fullest kinda tip, and you'll be able to check it out May 16 when the record comes out. May 26 is the grand opening of Off The Hook downtown and they're having a party at the new Club Soda. Expect to see Mike Mission, Majess, Obscure Disorder, Ricky J and more guests. Tickets are $10, but stay tuned for more details. Let me know what to do with all this illicit mojo I got squirrelled away: plan_b13@hotmail.com