by SCOTT C

After booking my ticket for a much needed two-week break from good ol' Montreal, I decided that it might be a good idea to look at the month of August from a wide angle, as in what we (or should I say, you) have to look forward to in the coming weeks.

Just got wind of a Robertson live show coming up at le Swimming on Aug. 26. He's the same dude who helped to shape Bullfrog into the band that Montreal has loved so much over the years. I was struck by the simple soul of his new solo joint A Deeper Shade of Green, and I encourage everybody with an ounce of flavour to check this dude out.

Look over yonder to Aug. 24, and lo and behold, a blast from the past. I'm not talking about Deep Purple and Thin Lizzy either. Long live Brand Nubian, who could probably be considered on par with Deep Purple in terms of the need for a comeback. That's right, kids - Lord Jamar, Sadat X and the one and only Grand Puba are set to hit the stage at Club Soda on Aug. 24. With classic material like "One for All," "Slow Down" and "Punks Jump Up to Get Beat Down," it's been a rocky road for these guys in terms of topping the ol' goodies, but if you're like me and have only ever seen Lord Jamar sign autographs at HMV, then you should be in for a treat. Offsides and Brother Ali will share the stage that night.

The boys from Afrodizz return from a short central-Canadian tour when they tear the house down at le Swimming on Aug. 20. Still riding the rails with the outstanding Kif Kif LP to light the way, you should be hearing more about these guys on a Canada-wide scale sooner than later.

Saturday, Aug.14, has the makings of a great day with Représente happening in the Peace Park beside SAT, St-Laurent just above René-Lévesque. This all-inclusive hip hop event, presented by Café Graffiti and many helping hands, aims to unite the splintered realms of Montreal hip hop in a one-day, unifying culture blast. With live hip hop from Dee (Atach Tatuq), Sans Pression, Phast and more, as well as Montreal Underground's popular alternative DJ battles, DJs Naes, Manspino, F-X, the Callout breakdance competition, nuff graffiti artists and a special presentation of the Ligue d'improvisation hip hop du Québec (LIHQ), you simply can't go wrong. As it stands, LIHQ is still negotiating their TV show with MusiquePlus, to bring the game-show-style MC and b-boy battles to a much wider audience. In the show, MCs go head to head, off the top of their heads, while a big clock ticks away, and it features both English and French wordsmiths getting live in front of a hyped studio audience. Why this isn't already on television, I don't really know, but I saw the pilot and the concept is tight. Look for it...

Happy birthday, Mario (you old fool...)! fathead@videotron.ca

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