by SCOTT C

You've got to give it to the people who make On the Mix happen just about every month. As far as I can see, this is Montreal's only consistent monthly hip hop showcase that gets local groups, both English and French, to perform on their stage. They also always tip the scales with a mixtape launch for a local DJ, as well as featuring breakers and graf writers.

On the Mix 14 is on Saturday, March 6, at 8 p.m., and features Dirty Taz, Pansif and Elyt. Sans Pression's DJ Manspino unleashes his new mixtape, while Ajun, Mini Rodz and Naes hold down the fort. Tix are still only $5 at the door at Quai des Brumes.

CKUT 90.3's Mike Mission, from the Masters at Work show, celebrates his birthday this Friday and Saturday, Feb. 27 and 28, with a blowout soooo big it had to stretch over two days. Friday, he sets up shop at Dôme with big support from guest DJs Starting From Scratch, Tru Soundcrew, Earthquake Soundcrew, Ken Dawg, Everton Greene, Ms. B and many, many more. Saturday, he's at McGill's Shatner Ballroom with King Turbo, Majess, Little Thunder, Blaster, Collabo, and the list goes on. Still not done! Finish off your Mike Mission weekend with the afterparty at Aria, featuring the mighty Starting From Scratch. Get the skinny at 482-2201. Happy birthday, Mike!!

You might have seen that the Ninja Tune crew has dibs on the SAT coming up in March when the ZENtertaiment Tour drops into town for a long-overdue Ninja fix. The lovely and talented Amon Tobin is flanked by monkey-man Bonobo, the slicker-than-most Sixtoo, Kid Koala and Ninja newcomer Blockhead. I'm still looking for the new Ty record, Upwards, on Ninja/Big Dada, and wondering what Roots Manuva is going to do next. Where the hell is Rodney?!

Looking ahead, I can safely say that Pete Rock and CL Smooth will be making the trip to Montreal for an April 9 show at the Spectrum. See? If you whine and complain enough sometimes, you may just get what you wanted! Little Brother is scheduled for a show sometime in the first week of May too, but I don't have a date yet. You can also brace yourself for a show from Styles of Beyond when they hit MTL for a March 24 date.

Lastly, Utopia's Paradise, one of CKUT's oldest shows, celebrates its 13th anniversary this Friday, Feb. 27, at Gravity. Tony Desypris, Peter Lightburn, and Claude Dabbas, who have put in work playing deep soulful grooves for all these years, welcome Timmy Regisford from New York's legendary Club Shelter. Regisford's producing, remixing, DJing and record-label history have landed him in the house-music hall of fame, so anyone who wants to sweat better make their way to this party on Friday night.

New Sector Movements... fathead@videotron.ca

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