by SCOTT C

I had a good chat on the phone the other day with a guy named Wan Lucas, who works for BMG Canada out of Toronto. Unlike a lot of people who think you can somehow tell them what's going on in Montreal in five minutes, I had a great time talking to Wan, who understood that you can talk to 20 different people and get 20 different impressions of what Montreal is all about. It seems like people from Toronto who are mystified by Montreal are always trying to unravel that mystery in as little time as possible. Even the people who live here can't pinpoint the magic most of the time, and can usually find something to complain about easier than anything, but we're not doing too bad.

In an attempt to rejuvenate the DJ battle, the Kreative Team has been conducting a regular event over at Korova, pitting local heads against each other. Soundblastin' features four turntables, three rounds, two DJs and only one winner. Featuring fun, topical categories in which the battling duo will compete, this might be a good way to rebuild your faith in the head-to-head format. This week: Manspino vs. DJ Def. $7 at the door, show at 8 p.m.

This Saturday, May 8, Dibondoko does their thing over at le Swimming, bringing their funky styles to the Main once again, but I'm wondering if they're getting any closer to putting out an album any time soon. Show at 10 p.m., $7.

A new spot called Kunta looks like it aims to bring some soul to St-Denis with Tony Desypris (Utopia's Paradise) playing deep house and soulful grooves tonight, DJ Moka (Spiritual Life Music) on Friday and Godfather D on Saturday, May 8, playing hip hop and R&B. Kunta is located at 2021 St-Denis, between Sherbrooke and Ontario, and there's no cover.

Next Monday, May 10, the people who run the now annual Piknic Electronik, which features local DJs playing outside at Parc Jean-Drapeau, conduct their press conference breakfast at Restaurant Byblos (1499 Laurier est) at 10 a.m. I played out there last summer with Kobal, and as well as being one of the most impressive sound systems you could wish to play on, it's outside! Stay tuned for this summer's lineup.

Gotta say goodbye and good luck to Phil "Skillz" Clarke, who is off to Morocco for some musical pursuits. Just come back in one piece, man - we've still got work to do.

Seven reasons we've got work to do:
1. Lootpack The Lost Tapes (CDP)
2. Various Blue Note Revisited (Blue Note)
3. Pete Rock Soul Survivor II (BBE)
4. Various Bully Lunch Money Singles (Bully)
5. New Sector Movements Turn It Up (Virgin UK)
6. Likwid Continual Space Motion Ope-Ra "Space Is the Place" (Kindred Spirits)
7. Loe Pesci & June Sixth "Every Level" (ICM)

You Phil me up! fathead@videotron.ca

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