FFWD Weekly
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Beat Boutique by Rob Faust With a DJ career that began in the ’70s, Afrika Bambaataa ranks among the early innovators and pioneers of electronic music along with Grandmaster Flash and Kool Herc. Bambaataa initially gained notoriety for assembling block parties and break-dancing competitions while most of the world was still discovering that innovative country rock format. It was his seminal track, the politically supercharged "Zulu Nation Throwdown" that laid part of the bed for the rise of the hip hop culture to come, serving to unify a collective of likeminded producers and MCs that reads like a who’s who of hip hop and is largely unmatched to this day. Despite these early contributions to the urban landscape, it would be his reworking of a Kraftwerk tune ("Trans-Europe Express") that would gain him mass appeal and increased commercial exposure. 1982’s "Planet Rock" still ranks as one of the pre-eminent breakthrough moments in hip hop and electro music (crossing over into the R&B top 40 charts, peaking at number four). While many of his ’80s contemporaries snorted their careers off the backs of toilets, Bambaataa pushed on, constantly breaking the boundaries of musical innovation, collaborating with former Sex Pistol Johnny Lydon, Bill Laswell (Shango), James Brown and George Clinton, to name a few. In an industry and an era full of where-are-they-nows, Bambaataa’s innovation still rings through the years, and stands as a major influence in everything from Detroit techno to modern breakbeat and electro. He’ll make a pitstop Thursday at the Night Gallery, playing along with some of his disciples in this city, Pump and Emes. Doors open at 9 p.m. and tickets are available at the door and in advance at Sloth and Phonics. Family also happens down on 1st Street, hosted by Calgary’s techno diva Double D. Doors open at 9 p.m. A new night for the dedicated trance fan starts this Thursday down at JJ’s Bar on Macleod Trail. This event will feature GOA and Psychedelic Trance as well as black light décor. Doors open at 9 p.m. Friday, late night adventures continue at three locales – Emerald Café, Soul Tattoo and the Warehouse. Emerald has Taro, Honeey Mustard and guests playing until dawn. Soul Tattoo has Phunk and Vinne and the Warehouse opens at 9 p.m. and has special guest Steve Thomas. Saturday, Unity takes over an unspecified location for the night. This party features the fine Yankee Lori the Hifi Princess, Miss Innocent, Element, Pauly Dee, Emotion, Anthem and Epoc. Other local support comes from Karizma, Proph, Pete Wilde, Commodore, Ara de Lei, Terence, LumpE and Addict. Tickets are available at Feroshus. Call 217-4956 for details. JJ’s Bar has Junglistic Scientifix with Lotus Queen and Proph on Saturday to ply you with your drum ’n’ bass needs. The Warehouse offers up Blissed for late night satisfaction while Emerald Café has the deep journeys of Phelan, Anwar and Taro to take you until dawn. Tuesday the ever popular Dub at the Pub takes over the Castle Pub for its weekly excursion into the science of riddum with High and I. Wednesday, the Embassy has Fehrenheit with this week’s special guest Scotty Oh playing with your residents Delerious and Domenic G. Testa, Clarke, Cereo and Fever will be in full effect in the basement. Got a thing? E-mail cunga66@home.com

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