by SCOTT C

As at the start of any new year, many of us are trying to kick things off with a new outlook, approach or point of view to accompany the fact that 2004 has quickly started without us. In an effort to switch it up a little, maybe you should check out the debut of Phil Clarke's new band the Foot Soldiers when they heat it up at Mile End Bar this Thursday, Jan. 22. You may remember Phil from his days as the frontman of the mighty Jazz Pharmacy, a band that may do a multi-stadium reunion tour sometime in the near future. Show starts at 10 p.m.

On Monday, Jan. 26, make a move over to Café Campus to witness some of the more dedicated hip hop heads in this city, who continue to chip away at the wall between hype and real talent. Local boys Typecast and Loe Pesci represent their own crews and usher some friends along as well when they hit the stage Monday night. The fun starts at 9 p.m. with DJ Furious and Manzo, followed by the 701 break crew at 10 p.m. and Loes, Apocalyptik, Demagen and Monk.e at 10:30 p.m. Then, it's the live 10-piece funk of Steak This Thick at 11:30 p.m., and finally Typecast at 12:30 a.m. All this can be yours for a mere $5 at the door.

Afrodizz get things started right out of the gate with a fundraiser for their fast approaching U.K. tour. You can check out these guys plus DJs Sylvain Ferron, FeuLeBarbu, and Etienne Champagne this Friday, Jan. 23, at 2242 Larivière, suite 140. Tickets are $10 and will get the band on a plane to London. The same night has 2004's return of the Goods, happening on a Friday for the first, and hopefully the last, time ever. At this month's Remember Jam edition of the Goods, it's all about the return of the king, with Toronto's Masimba, the Son of S.O.U.L getting down to business on the decks. He was a regular guest at the now-defunct Brass Knuckles Fridays at Blizzarts over the years, and always walks with the illest bag of 45s. You'll see.

There was a little bit of confusion when little ol' ?uestlove of the Roots was in town to DJ last Saturday night. It wasn't a rumour, and no, he didn't play on Crescent, but he did play at Club Blu on Stanley. That's all I know, 'cause I wasn't there! Common? Yeah, I was there, and so were a lot of you, but how did the big man slip in under the radar?!

Seven reasons big tings a gwan:
1. The Herd Mixtape Vol.1 (Rare Species)
2. Zoltar "Story of an Age" 12" (Sonar Kollektiv)
3. Various Gilles Peterson Worldwide 3 (Talkin' Loud)
4. Paine "Spontaneous" (Temposphere)
5. Les Nubians "One Step Forward" (Virgin)
6. Roy Ayers "Brand New Feeling" 12" (BBE)
7. Eumir Deodato "Uncle Funk" (BF)

Chart a course for foolishness… fathead@videotron.ca

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