hey there everyone,
Hope you all got some good holiday time in since last I wrote. It was
really sweet to see a number of you out at the New Year's related gigs I
played at (Savour on the 30th, and 52 Inc.'s jam at the Warehouse on the
Eve itself). The good vibes definitely helped to bring me happily into
2001.
Thanks also to those who listen to and support 'Mental Chatter,' my
weekly radio show on CKLN 88.1fm. It's excellent to get your phone calls
and emails. For everyone who's been inquiring about Mental Chatter
playlists, including the last two Mondays 'Best of 2000' special, rest
assured....they're coming real soon. We've been updating computer stuff,
Preet has been updating the CKLN web site (http://ckln.sac.ryerson.ca),
and I've been doing some solid catching up myself. Expect the playlists
before the end of this week, and then weekly after that. Phew! BTW, the
Real Audio and Shoutcast feeds are back in operation for live online
listening. I'm also working on archiving the show online...will keep you
posted.
Writing wise, I've been continuing to speak with and write 'bout lots of
folks for my 'Extended Play' column in Eye weekly. After the 'Best of'
picks in the year-end wrapup issue (Dec. 28), I did pieces on Montreal's
conscious 'n smooth-like-that hip-hop headz Butta Babees (Jan. 4) and
then Chicago house producer/musician and DJ Roy Davis Jr. (Jan. 11).
Check this Thursday for a piece on a sweet, up and coming British deep
house collective, in town this coming weekend. For these articles, plus
the 'Beats Per Week' club listings, check out www.eye.net and browse
through the appropriate issue (all archived and sorted by date).
Also, look for the brand new issue of The People Have Spoken (TPHS)
magazine, out on the streets now. The theme this issue is 'Death,' but
don't let that scare you as the topic is examined and interpreted in a
myriad of ways. Musically, artists such as DJ Spooky, Nefarius, A Guy
Called Gerald, Zed Bias, St. Germain, Photek, Kool Keith, the Runaways
(UK) and others are included. Have a look around your city for copies of
the mag.
Onto the club gigs. Don't forget to check out Glide Wednesdays, every
single week at Gypsy Co-op, where Andrew Allsgood and I throw down nu
jazz, dub, deep house, beats, soulful abstract grooves and a whole lot
more. Going strong for almost four years now, this totally laid back
weekly has been one of my favourite things to organize and play at
ever.... mainly 'cause we can play whatever we're loving, and the people
who come out tend to totally love music as well. Nice. Here's something
special, happening this Wednesday:
Wed. Jan. 17 ~ DJ Freedom guests at Glide!
with Glide residents Denise Benson & Andrew Allsgood
Gypsy Co-op ~ 817 Queen St. W. ~ no cover
Living, producing and playing in Dallas for the past while, T.O.'s DJ
Freedom will be spinning her first set on home turf in well over a year!
The talented drum 'n' bass DJ has further honed her skills, as is
evident on the recent Metro Breaks NXT Level release. Filled with rough
breaks, banging bass and tight transitions, this mix CD has won Freedom
legions of new listeners. Here's your chance to hear why as she blends
edgy jungle with jazzy and abstract drum 'n' bass, downtempo and U.K.
garage. It's a chilled welcome home party complete with Glide residents
Andrew Allsgood and myself, plus food, friends and a couchside
fireplace. Check www.metrobreaks.com and click on her link for more info
on and mixes by Freedom.
and.... one other gig to mention:
Tues. Jan 23 ~ spliceinteractive.com's Fused Underground
Freaky Flow & Flipside + Ember Swift + Nefarius + Denise Benson +
Doors open 8pm at Reverb ~ 651 Queen St. W. ~ $12 at door
This one is a launch party for spliceinteractive.com, a new web site
focussing on underground culture. Appropriately, the lineup is mixed,
featuring the scratch-happy, hip-hop influenced drum &bass sounds of
Freaky Flow & MC Flipside; MC Collizhun of Nefarius and his avante
hip-hop Tough Dumplin Band; Ember Swift's edgy, off-centre rock; my own
nu jazz and deep house mixes, and more. See ya there!
I think that about does it for this round. Lots more stuff coming in
February and March so stay tuned. As always, thanks everyone for the
interest and support. Take good care. And....
...if you would prefer not to be on this mailing list, just lemme know
and off your name shall go! Thanks!
-db-
-- -denise benson-Radio & Club DJ: 'Mental Chatter' ï Mondays 11am-2pm, CKLN 88.1FM (Toronto) (playlists & RealAudio feed: http://ckln.sac.ryerson.ca) 'Glide' ï Wednesdays @ Gypsy Co-op, 817 Queen St. W.
Writer: Eye Weekly ï 'Extended Play' and 'Beats Per Week' ï www.eye.net Exclaim Magazine ï features & reviews ï www.exclaim.ca The People Have Spoken (TPHS) magazine ï Music Editor
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