by RAF KATIGBAK

Ricardo Villalobos is on a mission. Proving that Chile has much more to offer than wicker and wine, alongside his cacophonous compatriots Atom Heart, Dandy Jack and Christian Vogel, Villalobos is working hard at spreading the Latin techno vibe across the globe. With shit-hot12-inches on high-profile tech-house labels like Perlon, Playhouse and Ladomat, Villalobos can be seen laying down his deep, melodic and percussive grooves at any number of gigs worldwide (including last year’s Mutek, where he basically tore Montreal a new one). This Friday, May 23, he’s back. This time the heat is on at O Patro Vys and Villalobos has brought Perlon heavy hitter Zip (aka Dimbiman) to help obliterate Montreal audiences in the greatest Germano-Latino crossover since the great Menudo-Kraftwerk collab of ’79. For those who like their techno spicy and deep, or if you just want to get a headstart on the upcoming Mutek festivities, this will be the show to see.

On Saturday, O Patro Vys will heat up once again, this time with some live electronic shenanigans as PVC productions hosts their second VOX party. With the emphasis on singer-songwriters in the electronic vein, VOX 2 will feature “hints of new wave, acid house and bedroom dub” in this three-pronged attack on the senses. On the bill will be the Stereomovers’ tribalish house grooves, Tigre Benvie and the “trance nova house” of Grasshopper. Anyone who was at the last VOX knows that this will no doubt be a good time, so come out and support your local electronic musicians already! Also on the bill will be the PVC DJs Amyl Nitrate and Radiowhore with their own brand of dance music with attitude.

In a similar DJ vein, DJs Barracuda, CherryCola and Tök will be dropping some attitude of their own at Cabaret du Sky this Sunday, May 25, as they host another installment of their Eklektik events. Expect some electro, Brit, punk, and glam and perhaps even some outfits dripping with the irony of the un-remembered ’80s. Cover is only $5 at the door so rock on!

On Saturday, May 24, the Zone and Nightbreeders crews will be forming a techno coalition to combat the forces of dancefloor boredom with their latest event Haute-Tension. With 15 DJs spanning the sounds of techno, drum & bass, hard tek and breakcore, this should be an intense night of beat trickery. Tix are $8 before 12:30 a.m. and $10 after, dial 897-0327 for details.

Also on Saturday, tech-trance fans will be psyched to know that German trio the Delta will be laying down some serious beats at Magnétik alongside Arne Schaffhausen, DJ Metalogic, Mimi le méchant, Tao-Nhan, Geist and 01EK. Check www.morphee.info or call 570-0522 for more info.

QuIen es mas macho, Lamas o Mantelban? Diskoakimbo@sympatico.ca

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