by SCOTT C

Back in the day, I used to pay something like $75 a month to rent a five-piece drum kit with a double-bass pedal and a few cymbals. I didn’t know what the hell I was doing, and I’m still amazed to this day that my parents went along with drums in the house at all. I’d set everything up under the basement stairs and move my little stereo in real close so I could run the headphone cord over my shoulder, and then the lesson would begin. A bass-player friend of mine had turned me on to Bad Brains’ Quickness tape, and that quickly became a template for my non-existent skills. I also used to listen and play along with Fishbone and the Police and even Steely Dan while trying to find some chops of my own.

Well, the time has come for me to work that angle once more and hit the kit. I’m on the hunt for some rhythmic satisfaction, above and beyond programming beats and playing records. Prepare for the Montreal Experiment.

Funk45.com contributor Nick Osicka is starting a Sunday night residency at Blizzarts where he’ll be playing from an “Osicka” collection of deep Brazilian funk, as well as a bunch of other goodies from his crates. He’ll be joined by Dan Zacks from CKUT’s Waxing Deep (Tuesdays 3 a.m.–5 a.m. on CKUT 90.3 FM) for the next couple of weeks as they feel the place out with some great music. There’s no tax at the door, so come one, come all.

Flash! Those of you bound for Ursula Rucker this Friday night at la Sala Rossa will be happy to know that our Philly friend will be joined by our own Butta Babees and Black Pearl, making for a well-worded evening, I must say. Doors open at 9 p.m., with tix at $12 in advance and $15 at the door.

I was a little surprised to see that Rockdeep has magically gone from a weekly happening at Saphir to a monthly one. It’s okay, though - you can still get your fill of hip hop and funk flavours on Tuesday, March 4, when they triumphantly return with a birthday bash for DJ Professor Groove and promoter Kamilya. Rock on…

Don’t forget the Goods this Saturday, Feb. 22, at la Sala Rossa, with special guest Lance Baptiste! :

Seven songs for the Hodge and Hove in you:
1. Quite Sane “The Child of Troubled Times” (Cool Hunter)
2. Jimi Entley Sound “Charlie’s Theme” (Espionage Disc)
3. Platinum Pied Pipers “Open Your Eyes” (Ubiquity)
4. Rob “Make It Fast, Make It Slow” (Soundway)
5. Detroit Experiment “Highest”(Rope-A-Dope)
6. Little Brother “The Getup” (ABB)
7. Kirk DeGiorgio “Amalia” (Ubiquity)

I think I was a phase… incubator@hiphopsite.com

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