by SCOTT C

Get ready for the first in a summer full of shows over at le Dôme, 32 Ste-Catherine W., when M.O.P., Pharoe Monch and Scratch from the Roots roll into town for the Weapons of Mic Destruction tour on June 30. Now, I know M.O.P. is riding the live band train with a Mash Out Posse release floating around right now, but Pharoe better be coming with some next shit. This guy was making MCs look silly back in '95, so imagine what he's about to hit us with. Scratch doesn't even need a band as long as the mic is working. Tickets are $25 at le Dôme, Off the Hook and Triple AAA.

Don't forget to check out Afrodizz, Montreal's Afro-beat answer, live on the Labatt Blue Dry stage at the Jazz Fest on June 30. It's a big show, and the launch for their new CD Kif Kif on Do Right Records. The afterparty starts at midnight at l'Escogriffe (4467 St-Denis). Also keep an eye out for a new EP and 7-inch from local funk band Dibondoko, who take the Bell stage on July 2 at 8 p.m. They've been gigging downtown with their mix of funk, zouk and reggae for a while, so don't miss them on the big stage.

Bonus: if any Montreal types want to make good on the Red Bull Music Academy getaway this year, now is the time. Go to www.redbullmusicacademy.com and apply for a two-week, all-expenses-paid retreat in Rome, where you can hang with music industry insiders, artists, label heads, managers and plain ol' weirdos too. I'd better get in this year...

Did a quick dip down to Buddha Bar earlier this week to check out the launch party for Fred Everything's new album on 2020Vision. Light of Day is getting good reviews throughout the U.K. and Europe, and features a wide array of vocalists, including Roy Davis Jr., DJ Heather, Joseph Malik, Singer Judah and Rise Ashen. This guy has worked hard to get Montreal on the map, so join me in digesting the fruits of his labours.

The fact that Bavaria basically bought the St-Laurent street sale this year wasn't nearly as amusing as stumbling upon a teeny-weeny Guru tent way up past Rachel selling a few CDs. My, how things change. Note to Bavaria: try building your stage somewhere a little more strategic next time, i.e. not in the middle of the road! That bottleneck was like being in line on Boxing Day or something...

Seven reasons my brain doesn't work like that:
1. Afrodizz Kif Kif (Do Right)
2. Dionne Taylor Open Your Eyes (Matay)
3. Dapp Theory Y'all Just Don't Know (Concord)
4. Various You Think You Know… Vol. 1 (Halftooth)
5. AMCW Turning Point Vol. 2 (CDR)
6. Various Afro-Baby Vol. 1 (Soundway)
7. MF Doom/MF Grimm Special Herbs & Spices Vol. 1 (DaybyDay)

More than you will ever know... fathead@videotron.ca

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