Down-filled sounds

>> Music to warm up the winter months

by RUPERT BOTTENBERG

Let's start with the punk rock, shall we? Jan. 27 sees the not-so-forgotten Forgotten Rebels at Jailhouse. On Feb. 17, the Queers straighten things out at L'X, and on March 14, those anti-Britneys the Donnas bring their bad-girl antics to Club Soda, in the company of O.G. riot grrrls Bratmobile. Closer to the centre line of the rock road is Dinosaur Jr.'s J. Mascis and his new band the Fog, at Cabaret on Feb. 1, followed the next night by Everclear at Metropolis. Then there's the lefthanded thinkrock of locals Mishima, who launch their new joint at the end of February, in the company of Blurtonia.

Also on the local CD-launch schedule, Jazz Pharmacy come out of hiding to present their long-overdue debut full-length Amnesia at Cabaret on Feb. 2. Later on, and likewise pharmaceutical, Mike Clark's Prescription Renewal Tour rolls into Cabaret on March 13. Drummer of note Clark is joined by jazz guitar hero Charlie Hunter, MMW sidekick DJ Logic and Greyboy keyboardist Robert Walker. Sounds unmissable.

As the tables turn

Did someone say DJ? The big parties this season include Ray Junior's third Love on the Beat blowout, with Leo Cruz, Djaris and the lovely Lori the Hi-Fi Princess delivering hard house, tech-trance and--wait for it--nu-NRG. That's Feb. 10, the same night as Sona's First Five celebrations, featuring John Acquaviva and Laflèche, who mixed the companion CD. Later on, at the end of March, the Connected party happens once again. Details to come, folks.

Other DJ nights to note include the return of soulful housemeister Roy Davis Jr., at Kokino this time, on Jan. 25. Oh! And Master at Work Lil' Louie Vega, at Sona on Feb. 3! Can't miss that. Misstress Barbara's doing a launch on Feb. 13, the release date of her mix CD on Moonshine, location forthcoming. And word from the Ninja Tune camp is that newcomer Bonobo will be hitting Blizzarts on Feb. 27, before he, W.I.G. and Amon Tobin court certain death on the slopes of Whistler.

Over Jingxi way, on Feb. 2, Baby Hec Romero returns for a night of NYC garage. Also from the Big Apple is Miss Honey Dijon, who knocks 'em dead again on an as-yet-unconfirmed Friday in February. On the local trance front, DJ Neerav announces Passage 1, a benefit for his neat zine Trance 5000, on Jan. 27, location TBA. His Yantra night at Café Campus returns on Feb. 2, with a Gypsy music angle and a live art happening as well.

Sounds fishy

Speaking of world sounds, locals TUeNA m.u.c. make a rare non-St.-Paddy's appearance at Maison de la culture NDG on Jan. 31--it's Celtic tunes coloured with jazz, blues, African and Macedonian touches. Macedonia?! I thought they sank into the sea or something.

Senegalese emigré Musa Dieng Kala takes time out from his collabs with eco-tronicist Freeworm for a show at Kola Note on Jan. 26, while the night after, Israeli rockchiks Moshav Band turn Café Campus into Café Kibbutz for a night. Finally, Petru Guelfucci, shining light of the Corsican polyphonic vocal thing, is at Salle de Gésu Feb. 14-17.

Blues freaks will already know about the legendary BB King shaking Place des Arts on Feb. 1. There's also Mel Brown & the Homewreckers (the Divorce Court house band?) at Campus on Jan. 24, and later on, on Feb. 28, Magic Slim & the Teardrops. How touching.

For jazzbos, there's a ladies-only weekend on the horizon. On Jan. 26, Dianne Reeves, backed by the MSO, big-ups Sarah Vaughan with a tribute at PdA. The next night sees Patricia Barber, a standout American vocalist, at the Spectrum, while Upstairs hosts the Jensen sisters--Ingrid on trumpet and Christine, a noted composer in her own right, on sax.

Finally, and this is important, Mr. clean-and-serene himself, the big milk drinker, the nice Elvis, Pat Boone hits PdA on Feb. 25. Recent collaborations with James Brown (huh?) and metal gods like Dio (double huh?!) prove Boone to be full of friendly surprises, so journey to the centre of your wallet for this one.

With DJ Food and Dynamic Syncopation at Tokyo on Thursday, Jan. 25, 9pm, $15