Dance News

US conscious rapper Common's got a big summer in store for him, with his aptly-titled LP Invincible Summer being released towards the end of June. Featuring more of an electro edge than his typically dusty beats, the record's production has been handled by mainstream darlings the Neptunes and Outkast producer Mr. DJ. If that wasn't enough, Common's also appearing as a gun-toting assassin alongside Angelina Jolie and Morgan Freeman in 'Wanted', also being released in June.

There's more... You like 'Terminator'? Thought so. Stick around for a year or so to see Common shoot yet more guns, this time at an evil robot hell-bent on destroying the world. Awesome!

Grimy UK hip-hoppers Foreign Beggars are hitting Adelaide for the first time on May 31 at Live On Light Square (formerly Viva, formally Lizard Lounge/ 'that place near Night Train'...), supported by the latest Aussie hip-hop joke, Billy Bunks, who's dumping his album 'Spit And Gristle' on us (and our taste) that night. Hopefully he pulls through on the promises made on Devil's Clay, and whatever crowd he pulls will be more discerning in the future. Up and coming Melbourne rapper Raven is also releasing his LP 'Humble Beginnings' that night, and the much-publicised Battlehoggs mixtape 'Vol 2' is being premiered also, with Brad Strut (of Lyrical Commision) taking up hosting duties. Bets are on as to whether Trials is relieved to have someone else host a hip-hop show in Adelaide for once.

Contrary to popular belief, live hip-hop originals The Herd do have topics to sing about now that John Howard's out of power... Their upcoming release 'Summerland' should demonstrate this, and is coming out on CD, vinyl and digitally on May 24. Sneak peeks of new Herd stuff indicates an even more melodic direction, sounding a tiny bit like Urthboy's 07 album, 'The Signal'. So if you liked that, get your pre-ordering done ASAP on the iTunes store website.

Internationally renowned hard dance promotors Pharmacy are taking their night to Adelaide for the first time on May 24th at Channel Nightclub. With a massive lineup featuring Push (M.I.K.E.), A*S*Y*S, Marchus Shossow and Systembot, the night's set to cover a variety of harder styles, from techno (minimal and otherwise) to electro, freeform, progressive, psy, and as many styles with the prefix "hard-" as you can think of. Adelaide's hard dance staples will be there too, with sets from Odyssey, Adrian V and others.

For those who like their hip-hop sets dark, heavy and frickin' amazing, Japan's foremost hip-hop export DJ Krush is krushing heads at Electric Light Hotel on May 29th. If Amon Tobin's set a year or two ago was anything to go by, Adelaide ejoys the darker sounds, so you'd better get in with the pre-sales quick if you don't want to miss out.

Future-rap weirdos Anti-Pop Consortium are rumored to be reuniting, with an alleged 6 new songs in the works. They are also set to be touring with Public Enemy and Kool Keith... in the States.

And for fun... Taking advantage of the marketing strategies behind Atmosphere's new LP 'When Live Gives You Lemons, You Paint That Shit Gold', www.paintitgold.com is a worthwhile distraction for a few minutes, and you get to hear some more of the new album if you haven't picked it up yet.


Send any dance news to gold@chariot.net.au