by SCOTT C

After seven years as a springboard for both local indie bands and touring Canadian talent, Le Swimming is jumping in with both feet to showcase the best in live urban and world music with their Origines Festival, packing the calendar right to the end of this month. Ark of Infinity kicked it off on Saturday, August 2 and Jah Cutta and the Determination Band is up tonight, Thursday, August 7. They're still going strong after 15 years of reggae and if you like live dancehall, roots and natural juice, then Cutta's got something for you. Friday, August 8, the sweet sounds of Kaliroots return to Montreal straight from mixing their new album at Washington's legendary Lion and Fox studios. This 11-piece band is the last word in French reggae, continuously honing and perfecting their style. Saturday, August 9, General Rudie's ready to stomp the house down with their frenetic and precise approach to the world of ska - they're no strangers around here, you can bet the place will be packed. Next up is New Shady Groove on Sunday, August 10, fresh from a good ol' Ontario summer and ready to corner the funk right here in MTL. Feeling their way through groove-related original compositions and covers, the real New Shady stands up just fine. On Wednesday, August 13, Mo Phonq pays homage to '60s and '70s funk while riding a sidecar of jazz and Latin influences all the way there. Lookout for B.C.'s Wassabi Collective on Friday, August 15, as the tight six-piece band rolls back into town. I'm not sure of the connection between wasabi, belly dancers and fire jugglers, but it's all part of the show. Saturday, August 16, sees a double bill with Calgary's Recipe From a Small Planet and B.C.'s Slammin' Jack. These two jam bands dip into the sauce with a little bit of reggae, funk, soul, bluegrass, and whatever else is clever. Enter the Addi Roots Band on Sunday, August 17 - roots and dub for the discerning listener. Their authentic sound bridges the gap between the Jamaican countryside and downtown Montreal. Monday, August 18, finds the Quintette Jazz Gitan livening things up with Django Reinhardt ditties, traditional American jazz and even a few waltzes. Guitarist François Rousseau conducts this musical journey right before your eyes. Things heat up on Wednesday, August 20, with Convoy Cubano and their nine-piece Cuban explosion. Mixing time-honoured Cuban music with hip hop makes for a memorable show for sure. On Thursday, August 21, take in the Rai-reggae sounds of Sycop, who've been exploring the connections between Rai, Chabbi and ragga since 1998. Here come the drums on Friday, August 22, when Samba troupe Zaruba play a set of non-stop rhythms conducted by drum-master Martin Bonin. Expect anywhere from one to 65 people on stage! Then it's the sweet and subdued tones of Montrealers Ivy et Reggie on Saturday, August 23, a simple yet complex musical fix. Slammin' Jack returns on Thursday, August 28 for yet another show, while Frootfly bring their dirty jazz licks to the forefront when they share the stage with Miss Cannonball on Friday, August 29. Miss C is enjoying the heat from their new album, The Papillon Sessions, a low-key blend of hip hop and live instrumentation not to be missed. Last out are CeeSnookyBooooDee on Saturday, August 30, wrapping things up with a dose of hard funk and R&B. My advice is keep the calendar close so you don't miss the boat.

All shows at Le Swimming at 10PM, $5–$10, Info: 282-7665

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