Warming up the ones and twos

>> This summer's hotsteppers and stone cold funkateers

by SCOTT C

Allow me to take two minutes of your time to run down some of the things that might be worth a look over the next few months. This is not the list to end all lists for the ideal Montreal summer, but I know what I like. Maybe you do too.

On Friday, June 15, you can check out the grand design of the DJ Serious Revue at Sona, which finally hits Montreal after a month and a half on the road. The Revue is the first national hip-hop festival to tour Canada from coast to coast, and features freestyle MCs, DJs, breakdancers and turntablists. On the same night, just across town, you can check out the return of Soulive to the Main as they bring their brilliant power-trio boogaloo to Cabaret. Tickets from the cancelled May 1 show will be honoured at the door that night.

On Saturday, June 16, you should run to Swimming to catch a surprise booking for any true Brand New Heavies fans who still might be lurking about after all this time. The original voice of the Heavies, N'dea Davenport, performs on that little, tiny stage, probably the best way to take in a voice like hers. Tickets are $10 and include the opening band Soul Fish. You may want to head down to Jello on Thursday, June 28, to catch the outer-worldly sounds of Osunlade. The ordained priest in the African religion Ifa is also the man behind the New- York-based label Yoruba. Deep, Afrocentric and spiritual house is the order of the day, and Osunlade has been immersed in it since 1987.

Friday, July 20, is when the bigger-than-life Area:One music festival touches down in Montreal's Parc Jean Drapeau for the first time. The all-day, outdoor event organized and created by Moby aims not only to pick up where Lollapalooza left off but to try and introduce an annual touring event to North America that is more akin to a European festival (as little rock as possible). Slated to perform on the big day are Moby, OutKast, the Roots, Incubus, Paul Oakenfold, Carl Cox, the Orb, rînôçérôse, Juan Atkins and many, many more.

This year's Jazz Fest is shaping up to be one of the more interesting bills we've seen pass through the city over the years. If you were lucky enough to get some tickets to the Prince show at Place des Arts on July 6, we all hate you, but enjoy yourself. Medeski Martin and Wood return for what's now being called an annual party with John Scofield and DJ Logic at Metropolis on Friday, June 29. Stereolab hits town to gig at Metropolis on Saturday, June 30, while Steel Pulse follows suit on July 1. Afro-beat night at Metropolis should be something to behold, with the double TKO of Antibalas and Femi Kuti set to tear the house down on Monday, July 2.

Everyone who's been following the movements of Kruder & Dorfmeister over the years will probably be at their July 7 show at Metropolis, eager to check out their live presence--likewise fans of Ninja Tune's Cinematic Orchestra, who play Salles du Gesu on Saturday, June 30. This year's les Nuits Blue Dry are anything but dry with everyone from Nick Holder to Jazzanova playing the midnight show at Spectrum.

Those of you who trek down to the Vans Warped Tour every year to check out the one or two bands that don't quite belong on the bill are in luck this year. Kool Keith will be making an appearance, along with the family vibes of Morgan Heritage, who bring some reggae to the stage in the midst of a whole lot of punk business, but you knew that.

Rumour department: I answered the batphone the other day only to be told that nothing is certain in life. Take the fact that Wu-Tang affiliate Cappadonna might be rolling through town to do a show with Mr. Firestarter himself, Kardinal Offishall. It's not a go just yet. Philly record mogul Rich Medina in Montreal to dig in the crates and throw down the plates? Who knows. The sooner than later return of Slum Village to the French Connection? Time alone will tell. The Triple Threat DJs and the possibility of a stopover performance on their part is at this point, only speculation, but I'll try to keep you posted.