by SCOTT C

Can anybody remember the last time Common ventured into Montreal for a show? I might be mistaken, but didn't he make a surprise appearance with the Roots a couple years ago when the Things Fall Apart Tour stopped in MTL? At any rate, it's been too long since the Chicago native considered blessing us with a performance. If you're at all interested in what the live show is like after the Bohemian shift on his Electric Circus LP, you'll probably have your questions answered when he hits Montreal for a show Jan. 15 at le Medley. He'll be joined by Jean Grae, aka What What, who released The Bootleg of the Bootleg EP back in October. This capable female MC has got to be one of hip hop's best kept secrets to date, and a great way to round out a wicked bill. There's also been some talk about Chicago multi-instrumentalist Peven Everett setting up shop here with his trio sometime early in the new year. After an impressive body of work over the past two years and the release of his album Studio Confessions on ABBSoul, he's been tearing up the live set from city to city. Let's hope this one pans out.

This Friday, Dec. 12, get your ass down to Salon Daomé for a special installment of Soulcité courtesy of DJ Stéphane Cocke. Soulful vibes from across the board abound as Steph makes you sweat for only $5. Rockdeep get their holiday two cents in with a special birthday bash on Tuesday, Dec. 16, for DJ Static. The now-monthly version of the former weekly happening also welcomes the seasoned chops of DJ Devious, promising a choice-cut set of only the best in classic hip hop and b-boy mayhem for the dancefloor. The tax is a mere $5.

After enjoying himself to the fullest for last year's New Year's celebrations in Montreal, it looks like our man Guru is coming back for more. He'll be bringing DJ Premier with him this time for the complete Gangstarr treatment, perhaps thanks to Primo's dip into town earlier in the fall. They'll be holding court with Majess, Mike Mission, Kwite Sane, DJ Crowd and of course Bless, for one of the many crazy happenings going down on that very same night. Toronto studio darling Moonstarr has been laying pretty low since moving here in August, very busy working on his upcoming LP and various remixes for a hot list of international producers. While the rest of us are arguing about what to do this New Year's Eve, Moonstarr will be playing one of five dates in Japan, where he is considered the best thing since fries and gravy Pocky. Bring us back strange and pricey souvenirs and we'll forget you didn't take us with you...

Seven things I won't get for Christmas this year:
1. Money
2. Music
3. Embedded Journalist Barbie
4. Scuba gear
5. Advil
6. A record deal
7. A raise

I'm not bitter... fathead@videotron.ca

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