by SCOTT C

This time of year is always weird for me, because I can never figure out if instant student population in the city is a good thing or a bad thing. I guess it all depends where you're coming from. Like some friends of mine who just transplanted themselves from Toronto were saying, "It hasn't sunk in that we live here yet," but it will, and when it does you'll breathe a long sigh of relief and settle down for the winter ahead.

Those of you who may have been looking for a little more breadth from the legion of laptop warriors making experimental explorations in music might be interested to know that local label intr_version appears to be getting cozy with some loosely electronic projects. Their latest compilation Saturday Morning Empire seems to be hanging tight with post-rock, hip hop and even singing (believe it or not!). This Friday, September 5, you can check out some of the artists that are contributing to this evolution when people like Ghislain Poirier, Vitamins for You, Black Out (Mitchell Akiyama, Becky Foon and Eric Craven) and Palomino Falls play la Sala Rossa. Tix are $8 in advance and $10 at the door.

This Saturday, September 6, Toronto's Pocket Dwellers return to their spot at le Swimming, bringing a live mix of hip hop, jazz and funk to the little stage once again. These guys just released a new album called Lifecheck that should be in stores real soon, so check it out. More info at www.pocketdwellers.com.

Along with precious gems from 9Majesty and Euphrates this past week, local hip hop crew Specifics have dropped a serious new musical bomb with their new song "Under the Hood." This joint has been on heavy, heavy rotation at my place and needs some checkin' for sure. Resident MC Goldenboy bleeds life like MF Doom, over a melancholy roller from producer Think Twice. Peep www.lpmusic.org for the new song and some of their other stuff as well. You can check out these dudes live opening for Blackalicious on September 11. Big up to everyone that came out to Salon Daomé last Friday for Soulcite. I'll be back like Arnold. Check the prime selections of Philharmonics when he touches down this Friday for some dancefloor niceness.

Seven reasons I need to take Pilates:
1. Specifics "Under the Hood" (LP)
2. Euphrates "Klaochi" (independent)
3. Mr. Roam "LuvOvaDu" 12" (Choice Cut)
4. Frank 'n' Dank "Marijuana" (bootleg)
5. Cody Chesnutt "Bitch I'm Broke" (Ready Set Go)
6. Reign "Lookin' for Luv" (DKD)
7. Sesong "Spiritual Rotations" (Butti49 remix) (Hospital)

Happy belated to Sara and Tash, let's get to work! fathead@videotron.ca

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