by SCOTT C

Here we go. The mad dash to set up shop for the summer is on for a lot of Montreal hip hop groups. Veterans Ken Dawg and Mike Mission are getting ready to push their latest slew of talent with the release of Masters at Work Compilation CD Vol.1 (Changin' Da Game), featuring the Real City All Stars. "About a year ago," explains Ken over the phone, "I was working with a group called BPE, and I felt like I wanted to start helping other groups in Montreal market themselves. The scene seemed like it was in a state of despair, and I said to Mike that we should do a comp. We went to all kinds of freestyle competitions and battles and encouraged artists to send us their best tracks - the hotness, something we could market." That dredge of Montreal's underground has unearthed the Real City All Stars, a project that aims to unite the sometimes disparate elements of Montreal's hip hop community. Names like DJ Tuff and Corporation Click will share the same bill as Bad News Brown and Loe Pesci. Look out for details on the record release party and showcase on Saturday, June 11, at Club Soda.

Meanwhile, Montreal's LP Records is sending out an open submission call to any Canadian hip hop artists who'd like to be included on a promotional CD that's slated for a Japan-only release. Six thousand of the CDs will be handed out free of charge across the pond when all is said and done, so if you've got some heat, get in touch with info@lpmusic.org as soon as possible, cause time's a tickin'!

Mark off this Friday, May 14, when Kobayashi headlines a show with ex-Gazelle voice Cheryl Sim and Toronto's Quartertones at la Sala Rossa. Heard some recent studio seconds from Kobayashi just recently (bootlegs, Josh!), and things seem to be falling right into place for these Montreal originals. Don't miss them live.

Finally, I've received a whole lot of angry mail about the results of the Best of Montreal, asking how these lists are compiled, how many times you can vote and so on. What kills me is the number of people who complain about the results every year, but who don't even bother to vote for the favourite whatever-it-is when the time comes. If you want the results to change, fill out a ballot and get involved.

Seven reasons you deserve to be employee of the month:
1. Various Videoauger Vol.1 (CDR)
2. Pete Rock Soul Survivor II (BBE)
3. Sixtoo "Boxcutter Emporium Part 3" (Ninja Tune)
4. Mathematik "Was Is Will" 12" (Urbnet)
5. Rhythmicru & ICM "Heads Connect" (ICM)
6. Quantic "Mishaps Happening" (Tru Thoughts)
7. Cee-Lo "Evening News" (CDR)

Look! A born again fool... fathead@videotron.ca

>> Music Listings