Montreal met Toronto | Words met Sounds

"Les Noches de poesia reçoivent deux membres torontois de Up From The Roots pour deux soirées, en deux lieux différents, pour doublement plus de découvertes! Le tout, suivi du KALMUNITY VIBE COLLECTIVE!!!"...

Voila ce qu'on pouvait lire sur le site de Noches de Poesia. Elizabeth Robert, fondatrice de Ndp (Noches de poesia), organise avec son équipe des soirées dont le but est la fusion de la littérature migrante et des lectures multillingues en soulignant les différentes facettes multiculturelles qui co-existent à Montréal.

Ce fut avec grand plaisir que j'ai accepté l'invitation d'Elizabeth pour la 2ème nuit de 'Montreal meets Toronto' tenu le 11 Juillet au Diese Onze...je savais déjà ce à quoi m'attendre en arrivant sur les lieux...du moins je pensais savoir

.....faites plaisir a vos oreilles.....


Le Local



Vous etes passés au moins 100 fois devant le Diese Onze....avez-vous consulté le menu? avez-vous regardé l'affiche discretement posée a l'entrée? avez-vous porté attention a la musique qui se dégage de ce demi sous-sol en plein milieu du Plateau? si non, alors je vous invite vivement à faire un tour le plus rapidement possible dans ce local qui regorge de surprises tant au niveau culinaire qu'au niveau des spectacles live..

L' ambiance est chaleureuse..le décor est simple et tamisé dans le choix des couleurs..des cadres de photos prises lors de divers performances sur place sont accrochés aux murs.....le stage, a peine surélevé, fait parti intégrant du décor d'ensemble..on dirait que les artistes sont tout simplement "assis" à une table comme les spectateurs....

Le Show

Au menu, Elizabeth et son équipe nous ont concocté un "Spoken Word avec Live Organic Jazz Improv"

Entrée
Omar Alexis Ramos
D. Kimm

Plat de résistance
Dwayne Morgan et Lorraine Reid

Accompagnement
Jahsun (à la batterie), Martin Heslop (à la contrebasse) et Sylvain Ransy (au piano)

Dessert
Kalmunity Vibe Collective


Le Déroulement

Généralement avant un show un artiste a sa propre routine..il y a ceux qui préferent rester seuls..il y a ceux qui ne parlent plus depuis 30 minutes déjà..il y a ceux qui vomissent bien sur...mais à ma grande surprise, tous les artistes présents étaient entrain de discuter..rigoler..prendre des photos..pendant que les techniciens réglaient les lumières et caméras et que les accompagnateurs branchaient/accordaient "religio-minutieusement" leurs instruments....en fond sonore on entendait du jazz..quelques touches de piano..le "mic check" de Martin Heslop..les bruits des verres qui se reposaient sur le comptoir du bar..ma tasse de café entre autres..les dernières recommendations d'Elizabeth.....

Le public était formé d'adultes..visiblement issus de différentes classes sociales..connaisseurs ou néophytes, ils partagent la meme passion pour la music, la poésie et les prestations live...
Dernières photos et c'était partit..il aura suffit d'un seul regard de Jashun pour donner le tempo à cette soirée de fusion entre artistes et publique..mots et sonorités..


Omar Alexis Ramos
auteur, poète, animateur, éditeur, producteur d'événements culturels...


D.Kimm
artiste interdisciplinaire, directrice de l’organisme Les Filles électriques...


Dwayne Morgan et Lorraine Reid
lui: artiste spoken word et fondateur de Up From The Roots
elle: renommée vocaliste | 7 nominations aux prix JUNO (lire biographie)


Jahsun
directeur artistique/musical et fondateur de KVC








L' After Show



Un dessert avec ca?

Chaque dimanche certains membres du Kalmunity Vibe Collective se retrouvent au Diese Onze et offrent au publique du jour une session live jazz à saveur de r&b | hip hop | afrobeat | funk | reggae | soul....
Jordan à la guitare a rejoint le KVC pour une nouvelle soirée d'improvisation avec des apparitions aléatoires de Katalyst | Jahnice | Malika | Blackbird etc...



Peu du public du main show sont restés mais un nouveau crowd est arrivé, plus décontracté, plus jeune..un mélange d'habitués et de curieux...l'éclairage est réduite et le Diese Onze plonge dans un autre univers...live organic improv at his best!..cela fait 6+ ans maintenant que le KVC est en activité..il suffit de les analyser pour comprendre qu'entre eux la communication se fait intuitivement et ce à travers le regard, les oreilles et les sourires...Jahsun fronce son visage en signe d'approbation des notes degagées de la guitare de Jordan...Martin bouge la tete lorsque Sylvain se lache au piano....rien à dire: c'est des pros!

Dans le public, Katalyst est entrain de "feel the Vibe"..elle se décide, monte sur scène, une 20aine de rimes sur son amour pour le hip hop et son importance et elle redescend de la scène....quelques minutes seulement et c'est au tour de Jahnice qui fait l'éloge de la Musique...ainsi de suite les amis du collectif se succèdent pour délivrer au public une prestation qui aura été unique...


Cette dernière video était le morceau de cloture de la soirée...Jahsun invite les acteurs de la soirée à l'accompagner...


vous ne voyez rien? moi non plus je ne voyais rien, les yeux fermés je me suis juste laissé entrainer par le Vibe....


Pour en savoir plus plus sur les différents acteurs, cliquer sur les liens, renseignez vous et découvrez un nouveau monde bourré de talents...

BLESS!!

Kalmunity at the Montreal Jazz Festival

You know how i love to support people around me .. for those who follow me on twitter and/or facebook, i bombarded you with updates about me going to see The Kalmunity Vibe Collective for the Jazz Fest, about me not going to miss this one event that i truly wanted to experience front row ..
well IT WAS AWESOME!! .. even through the cellphone you can feel the energy, people showing love to the performers, the collective ripping the stage and me really enjoying the sound (no you won't see that in the clip....you wish, gotta pay if you wanna see me perform!!)...
i was too busy enjoying myself that sometimes i forgot to record the best moments...the show was live improvisation (yes live improvisation...that's their signature and they do it well!)....funky sounds, reggae inputs, soul vibes, jazz melodies, blues feelings, rap skits, slam moments, scat attacks, guitar solo....they did errthing!! they simply rocked the dancing, shouting and jumping crowd...this was an amazing sunday night...

Special shout out to Fredy V and the Kalmunity Vibe Collective

Turn up your speakers and click play...

1958 - 2009

..LEGENDARY..


R . I . P

Italian Rap Culture - What Went Wrong?

PART 1 - The Birth

I strongly feel that i'm part of the Hip Hop Generation...HH made me who i am today and my musical influences are mainly from this culture....when people ask me "what music do you listen?" i usually answer "errthing but i buy only HH related albums"...come to think of it, i have to be honest, it's been a long time since i set foot in a music store but anyway....

Since i spent most of my life so far in Italy, Rome more precisely, and attented the Lycee Chateaubriand (french school) | Big up to all Chateaubriannais reading this | i had the amazing chance to listen to US, French and Italian rap music...not only to listen but also understanding the culture behind the movement.....all 3 have more or less the same source socially speaking but expressed themselves differently....


In an earlier SOD* post i said that Italian rap was first influenced by punk movement in Italy...punk rock movement more precisely...the centri sociali were converted empty spaces that young squatters used as base of activity in order to express their opinion and spread it...generally with anarchist vision, these squatters would have round tables discussion on political issues, social issues but not only..they also used the centri sociali as radio broadcasting stations, movie theatres, art creation centers (litterature, photography, music, art in general)...just to be clear on this, the phenomenon of the centri sociali occured in Italy in the early 70's when the youg generation felt left behind...the rap movement started from these centri as a tool to acknowledge social rights, but only in the late 80's...


for more info on the centri sociali - italian link

As far as i can remember, the first italian rap title i heard, bought, knew by heart, and played over and over was Maria Maria from Articolo 31....highly commercial song with an interesting metaphor and story telling by J-Ax..during the same period, early 90's, Jovanotti was considered as a rap artist (which is not the case in my opinion) but he was the one definetly to launch italian rap to a mainstream level...i was 14 and spent most of my money and time on US HH, so i had access only to the commercial italian rap i would hear on the radio or see on tv...too bad for me, because the underground side of italian HH was booming, big names (undergroundly speaking) like Neffa, Dj Gruff, Assalti Frontali, Sangue Misto, 99 Posse, La Fossa, Sud Sound System (reggae/hip hop) and many others were already around making history in the underground world...i listened to them afterwards only...

Articolo 31


Neffa & Messageri Della Dopa





PART 2 - Bitten By The Rap Bee!

As many teenagers, i had my share of wanting to become a great rap artist some day...i used to write...my older brothers were rapping for fun (big up to Kool-G-MTC | Big D.S | Doudou MC)....djing (big up to Dj Moc-Fu | R.I.P. Dj Steezo)....friends were making grafittis (Stone | Kong | Skorpio | Spy | Caine | PSM what'up! | PAC)....tried a duo with Lesco -Funkstaz- but never had it in us to do it properly (i still hear my parents "Education first!!" ahahaha)....my artist name was Razbitum...given by Lesco's older brother, Doudou MC...he is actually the only one still raping (check him out here or download his NetTape here).

Good thing or bad thing, the Lycee Chateaubriand is located near Piazza Flaminio, a square which was a gathering place for the Flaminio Maphia Crew...by passing in front of them errday i had a chance to chill out with them, know them, squatt with them, freestyle with them, party with them, club with them...Flaminio Maphia (G-Max & Rude Mc) were the official rappers of the crew...you had breakers and graffers as well...here is where my love for italian HH started.............

To be continued...

The Montreal Fashion & Design Festival - 2009 Edition

To all Montreal people, to all fashion lovers, to all chillers out there, to all music addict..well you get the idea...so to all of you, this afternoon, dowtown Montreal will be the only spot to be....

The Montreal Fashion & Desing Festival is starting today and will last 4 days...

Fashion Shows | Fashion Events | Fashion Music | Outdoor Boutiques | Exhibitions | Special Events | Official Parties | Rally Shopping | Animations |

This festival is about enjoying fashion & music, about emerging fashion design, about summer trends. Live performances will be at the rendez vous as well..singers, musicians and some of Montreal own finest Djs...shout out to Dj Pat Boogie!!

Here is the complete schedule..print it and keep it in your pocket!

To find out more click here

"Rumble In The Jungle" Got "The Soul Power"

When i say Rumble In the Jungle you're guessing right away that i'm talking about the Ali/Foreman fight back in 74'...Don King, a true business genius, had the "craziest" idea for the heavyweight bout to take place in "Zaire"...

in order to succeed, he also had to back up the fight with something out of the imaginary...a massive concert that took place the night before the big fight...when i watched the documentary When We Were Kings a while ago, i was kinda frustrated not to see more of the concert...in the Ali movie, same thing...here's my chance now...
Usually i don't watch trailers of movies or anything else that i'm dying to see because it tends to spoil the suprise...but this one right here, this one right here! is a must see..i've seen it 4 times already..and yes, in a row....
Release date for Canada are not out yet but as soon as i get some more info on that i'll let you know...
In the mean time just get off that chair, turn up your speakers, and click play...you might need to close your office door too...





Visit the website here for more information on performers and staff.

Code 903 - Get The Eff Out!

May 28, 2009 - Montreal.... Around 5:00pm a dude..talking to an STM agent..goes "ma valise contient des explosifs" (my luggage is filled with explosives) and then starts running.....for the next 3 hours to come after that comment, downtown Montreal was almost chaotic..traffic jam..rain..closed streets...

Sister
She was actually in the metro when they asked errbody to evacuate..after shutting down the yellow line and closing all the stations in the downtown area..she had to get out and walk-shopping instead..under the rain...(continues further down)


Me
Good thing i left early from work that day..and good thing was that the blue line wasn't affected by the evacuation...stressing fact was that every 3 minutes (i think even less) the auto system kept on repeating that the service was stopped between this station and that one and that other to that other one..and this due to a ongoing police intervention...(area in the picture below is the "closed zone")....the "danger zone" was too big for a regular police intervention in the subway...i decided to go out...called and met with my sister...



Sister
Now she's telling me that 2 messages were announced:
- an message inviting all travelers to evacuate the subway due to police intervention
- "a tout le personnel, Code 903..." (to all staff, code 903).
Code 903 = Bomb Alert...
After walking around a lil bit trying to find stuff to buy, she had to go at the other end of the city by crossing the "danger zone"....Me, i spent an hour waiting for the right bus to take me home.....while i was waiting for the bus my sister called me "i just heard a *boom*".."WHAT!? a big *boom* or...?".."well enough to have felt the ground shaking a lil bit".."so i guess the're was really a suspicious package..they've must detonated it".."well there are 5 cops at the entrance of the subway..they're laughing..it seems like they knew something will blow up".."drchhh..ight ight..okay catch you later..stay safe"...

Brother
Around 9:00pm..my brother gets home while i'm helping my sis' bringing up those beautiful bridesmaid dresses (for my cousin's wedding...wishing them all the best + all blessings for their new life..)....normal reaction: "u heard?".."what?".."the bomb alert..service down..downtown jammed like hell..detonation".."whaaaaat? no?..seriously? mah!"

Thoughts
1. if i really wanted to blow things up..i would not tell....
2. you're telling me to "evacuate" because there is a police intervention and you're telling you're colleague "dude there's a bomb in here..do what u gotta do" .. well screeeeew you..I also want to know that and do what i gotta do (scream, run, panic..whateva, as long as i know)....
3. how the eff could you let people walk around the metro station since you declared there is a bomb underneath???
4. more transportation should've been available
5. bluetooth should be standard to all cell in order to receive live updates on important matters or at least we should receive a text message from carriers "avoid downtown montreal..possible bomb threat" or something like that....

Anyway, funniest thing is while i was writing this post i called my sis' to make sure of the code number..and guess what? the following monday a Code 902 (= Tunnel Intrusion) was announced...Sis' is telling me that it happened in the morning and she had to take a cab to get to work...did you hear about it??? Now i'm not saying that STM should reveal anything going on but at least..you know..give me a head start...

From now on..whenever you hear "CODE 903" just GET THE EFF OUT!!!

SOD | Frankie Hi-NRG MC - Quelli Che Ben Pensano

Hip Hop made in Italy

Fact: italian rap culture was first influenced by punk movement..
i'll prepare an article for you guys...i had a chance to discuss about italian rap back in 2000 with Sparo (used to collaborate with Flaminio Maphia...wonder where he is now)....anyway enjoy this video which was a huge hit...

"Sono intorno a me .. ma non parlano con me.."

Virgin Festival 2009

Following up on events for this summer in Montreal, the Virgin Festival 2009 is a definite no miss event.

It will be held @ Parc Jean Drapeau on June 19th & 20th.
I never been to this event before but the performers list is quite interesting:

Jun 19:
+ BLACK EYED PEAS (talking about moving the crowd)
+ SIMPLE PLAN (teens will be served)
+ HEDLEY
+ THE NEW CITIES
+ CARLY RAE
+ JEPSEN
+ EVA AVILA
+ STEREOS
+ KREESHA TURNER (if i could just talk to her...)

Jun 20:
+ NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK
+ AKON (represent)
+ DAVID USHER
+ LIVE
+ KARL WOLF (hmmm..really!?)
+ JESSE MCCARTNEY
+ LIGHTS (i don't know bout you but i would play her in a coffee shop, very lightly*)
+ DIVINE BROWN
+ JONATHAN ROY
+ JABBAWOCKEEZ (saw them on tv and really want to see them perform live on stage)

Tickets can be bought online
- 1 day pass @ $75.00
- 2 days pass @ $133.50
- VIP Pass @ $313.50

More information are available here.



image source: virginfestival.ca

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* don't get me wrong, she's talented.

"1st of tha Month"

"Wake up wake up wake up, it's the 1st of the month
Get up get up get up, so cash your checks and come up"

I remember when my brother copped this cd..."E. 1999 Eternal"...back then i didnt really understand english but i sure did understand what good music was...i remember listening to this song again and again...i would just hit the repeat button on my brother's cd player and keep on nodging my head....of course my bro wasn't there to see me..if only he knew how many times i used his stuff without him knowing..anyway, this is another story to tell...ahahaha (one luv big bro! if you're reading this)...
in the mean time just hit the play button and enjoy some nice music...
Happy first of the month to errbody!

What's Your Plan For The Summer?

Gotta love this city...MTL is definetly a nice place to enjoy summer, even when it's raining...with all the festivals, concerts, exhibits, etc it's impossible to get bored...luckilly for me i'm stuck here this summer and here are some suggestions to have a good time...let's meet up!

] May 27-31: Mutek music, sound and new tech festival
] May 30: The Peer Pressure Block Party

] Jun 3: Grand Opening of Terasses Bonsecours
] Jun 3-4: Roberto Benigni
] Jun 4: Santigold @ Metropolis
] Jun 5: Underworld x Circa Montreal shoe release party with DJ Arock
] Jun 10: Dave Matthews Band - Special Guest: Femi Kuti @ Parc Jean Drapeau
] Jun 11: Macaroni Bar Garden Terrace Grand Opening
] Jun 11-14: Nuit blanche sur tableau noir
] Jun 13-Aug 15: International des feux Loto-Québec
] Jun 18-27: The OFF Festival de Jazz

] Jul 05: Femi Kuti @ Metropolis
] Jul 1-12: Montreal International Jazz Festival
] Jul 2-5: FIMA – Festival international Montréal en Arts
] Jul 3-26: Comedy festival Just for laughs/Juste pour rire
] Jul 11, 12, 13: Montreal Reggae Festival
] Jul 16-Aug 3: Fantasia Film Fest
] Jul 30-Aug 2: Osheaga music & arts festival
] Jul 30-Aug 9: Les FrancoFolies

] Aug 9-17: Italian Week
] Aug 13-16: FestiBlues
] Aug 27-Sept 7: Montreal World Film Festival
] Aug 29, 30: NAPA Auto Parts 200

] Any Saturday: @ Koko
] Any Saturday: @ Buonanotte
] Any Saturday: @ Time Supper Club
] Any Given Sunday: BBQ @ Suco
] Any Day ot the Week: @ Barroco

Brunch / Coffee Breaks:
] Le Cartet
] Anton & James

The BIG Game

Tomorrow will be held the 54th final of the UEFA Champions League tournament in Rome (*snif snif*..can't believe i'll be missing it...why did i leave Rome again?)....
When all eyes in the States are focusing on the NBA Playoffs, half the world will be staring at this major event..this tournament is said to be all soccer players biggest dream....

The face off will be between Barcelona and Manchester United (last year's champions) and it will be played @ Stadio Olimpico (home stadium of Roma's & Lazio's soccer clubs)....

Both team arrived around noon today in Rome and went straight to their respective hotels (not even a kilometer separating them)...fanatics were at the rendez-vous of course....

Manchester United won this title 3 times (1968 - 1999 - 2008) and Barca twice (1992 - 2006) and the UEFA Champions League final will be held for the 4th time in Rome (1977 - Liverpool, 1984 - Liverpool and 1996 - Juventus (Forza Juve for Life!!))...

After a doubtful game against Chelsea, Barcelona will definetly have to prove that they deserve to dispute this final by winning only...

Now all soccer pros & fans will tell you that a soccer game result depends on the game quality of the teams BUT ALSO on the referee calls...hmmmmm....


Massimo Busacca will be the MC for tomorrow's game...hmmmmm....
Mr. Busacca have a certain history in refereeing major soccer match ups..
Ukraine vs Spain (during World Cup)..gave a red card against Ukraine and awarded a non existing penalty kick to Spain..then later on in the same game..same action occured in favor of Ukraine..guess what? yes, he didn't blow the whistle...........
Argentina vs Mexico (during World Cup again)..Heinze (Argentine's defender) should've gotten a red card since he was the last defender before the goalkeeper and comitted a foul..guess what? yes he got a yellow card only (might seem like this is not a big of a deal but it's a terrible mistake)...

Anyway, tomorrow i'll be sopcasting the game of course, pretending to work and trying no to shout out my emotions....

Both teams are already their league champions and adding an extra trophy in the stand will definetly resume as a historic UEFA Champions League final not to miss....



GO BARCA GO!! (since they doubtfully knocked out Chelsea who knocked out Juventus....no comment please)

@dembus

My Cities Are 20th & 12th

After the Top99 Women of 2009 (GO MENDES GO!) and the Top49 Most Influential Men (2008 - Mr. President Obama), AskMen.com locked the Top29 Best Cities to Live in for men (2009 edition).
Their Top-whatever- are good reviews on many and diverse categories and is also another way to keep track on stuff not to miss around the globe..of course, not all the Tops are to be taken seriously (personal opinion)...

To check the Top pages click here...

Back to the Top29 Cities...

Criterias are based on:
- 2009 Liveability
- Sports & Entertainment
- Culture
- Fashion
- Health
- Power & Money
- Dating & Sex
- The Good Life

Born and raised in Rome - 12th

AskMen said: "With over 2,000 years of continuous history and architecture, which can be explored with a meandering walk through its surprisingly compact center, Rome is a feast of culture and style [...] With hundreds of incredible restaurants and cool bars to choose from, there’s no shortage of places to take one of Rome’s 850,000 single women on a date."

I say: "YESSIR!" seriously, Rome is one of the best city i ever lived in...the culture, the people, the ladies, the food, the language, the LADIES, the architecture, the weather, THE LADIES, the motorini*, the traffic, the public transportation...are UNIQUE!!
The Dolce Vita is definetly there and nowhere else....



Currently in Montreal - 20th

"A little piece of Europe in North America [...] Great food and fine dining are both givens, but as added appeal keep in mind it’s been said that the most beautiful women in the world are from Montreal. If you take a walk down St. Laurent Blvd. on a hot and steamy summer’s night, it’s hard to disagree. Not only are the women beautiful, but almost half of them are single."

Definetly true..100% right..that's what i am actually living over here...but the most beautiful women in the world aren't from here (personal opinion of course)...

This reminds me of a comment a C4L** bro said one night, walking up and down St. Laurent boulevard: "Hey ladies! you make Montreal the most beautiful city on earth!"..he just got a thank you out of it though...sucks....

Anyway, i'm not convinced with Dating & Sex for Montreal being so low...hellooo?!?! (reaction based on other people experience)...



#1: Chicago



"Chicago strikes the perfect balance between cosmopolitan and comfortable, combining all of the culture, entertainment and sophistication of an internationally renowned destination with an affordable lifestyle and down-to-earth work hard/play hard character."

Got to visit i guess...

What about your city?


ps: Guys, don't miss out the galleries...


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*motorino: scooter...
**C4L: the crew...

Can't Stop Feelin These Ish...

"hey, do you have any black inside you? would you like some?"

********************
*************************



"baby i wanna see you work - see you dance
without no shirt - without those pants
pop champagne aint a damn thing change "

Tonight @ KOKO

Ok so here's the deal..summer is knocking at the door here in Montreal..hmmm actually we are the ones knocking at his door....no long stretches of sunny days yet *sigh*...anyway.....cool thing about MTL during this period are the festivals, expos, restaurants, open spaces but the thing i dig the most (- of course - for those who know me) are the clubs/terasse all over the city...

back in the days i used to go out 5 nights a week..now i'm down to 2 *sigh again* so i can tell that clubbing in MTL is one of the thing i do best..YESSIR!!....just last night i received a BBM from my buddy Nizar asking "i'm downtown, where can i go beside Med or Barroco?"....some see me as a reference for partying-chilling-in-montreal-with-no-cover..me i say it just happened that i rather go out at night than sleep tight because the next day i got to get to work. period.
Anyway tonight is all about Koko...my C4L* bro, let's call him "er secco" is in town....just like me, he is more into sippin coffees with buddies, watching people come and go and debating on serious stuff like "Monica Bellucci or Eva Mendes?".....as soon as we mentionned Koko, his eyes lit, sparkled, glowed, whateved....sure thing he remembered about las saturday was NO UGLY LADY IN THIS ISH!!!! best believe..walking in there is like walking in hell**..no bitchassness, no uglyness, no showing offness, no dont-know-how-to-dress..just classy people having a good time, sippin on their drinks, dancing, and discussing...matter of fact, last saturday i don't even remember what kind of music was playing...too much focused on her & her & her also & even her....drinks pouring..."redbull wannabe" in my system (they don't sell the redbull actually..sucks)..bumping into friends, spilling drinks on her dress..offering glasses to her, him, them...errthing was great!!!
so tonight, guess what cherie? I'M @ KOKO AGAIN...

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*C4L: the crew...
**hell: personal belief --> ladies are from hell...