by SCOTT C

How many of you out there have ever written a letter to some huge conglomerate in the hopes that you could squeeze some free product out of them on the sly? I was out with friends at Jardin du Cari the other night discussing precisely that over a goat-plate and some veggie curry, and it seems I was not the only one. I remember writing to everybody from Land Rover Canada to Chunk Light Tuna when I was 14, trying to score some sort of freebie mail-out. I managed to get some Land Rover gear, as well as some free tuna coupons, but my crowning achievement came much later. Just prior to my move to Montreal in the early '90s, I wrote several questionable letters to major record labels like Warner, Virgin, Universal and BMG, stating that my (ahem) "thriving promotions company" Incubator Productions could use some support. I succeeded in being added to three major mailing lists, receiving vinyl and CDs weekly in the mail. Although very, very pleased with my devious little self, apart from the overabundance of BMG urban stuff (Craig Mack, Mobb Deep, Biggie, Outkast, Souls of Mischief) I had no idea what to do with the Rankin Family CDs and Cher 12-inches. Even though it's much more difficult now to get serviced from any label, let alone a major, I still managed to put the Incubator name to good use. So don't ever say I never told the story of how this whole shit got started.

Afrodizz, Angel and Dibondoko get this Montreal funk thing organized for a show over at Kola Note on Friday, Oct. 24. Nice to see some like-minded musicians getting together to bring some great music to a wider audience. Andy Williams backs up these locals with his own bag of funk on the decks that very same night.

Make way for War Is War 4, the breakdance extravaganza with everything you need in one night to satisfy your hip hop itch. 01 Etranj will launch his album T'Chin, while San Fran import the Genie will be there working his hip hop guitar creations and Devious and Stress work the decks. There's also a photo exhibit, vintage ghetto-blaster exhibit, an art show by M.A.K.E. and of course the main event - the breakdance contest, with $1,000 in prizes for the winner. It all starts at 4 p.m. and goes till 3 a.m. on Sunday, Oct. 26 at the SAT. Pony up for $10 in advance and $15 at the door. Also, don't miss Stratège and Cobna at Aria this Saturday, Oct. 25, performing for the launch of their new record Goûte à ma sauce.

Seven reasons Friendster is ruining my life:
1. Perry Hemus w/ Liz Parks "Rhodesmode" (Woodland)
2. Georg Levin "Insider" (Sonar Kollektiv)
3. The Limp Twins Tales From Beyond the Groove (Tru-Thoughts)
4. Jehst "Run Hard"/"History" 12" (LowLife)
5. Lacks "The Idiology" 12" (Earth Angel)
6. Schoolz of Thought From Thought to Finish (GrooveAttack)
7. Cappo "Learn To Be Strong" 12" (Zebra Traffic)

Tell me it's not ruining yours… fathead@videotron.ca

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