Home News Tribune (East Brunswick, NJ)

August 10, 2007

Welcome to the party

Author: Chris Jordan

Author: Home News Tribune

Section: COLUMNISTS

Estimated printed pages: 3

Article Text:

By Chris Jordan

There are two main styles of hip-hop and rarely do the twain meet. On one side, there's conscious hip-hop, which promotes socially relevant lyrics, and on the other there's street hip-hop, representing grimy tales of the hood.

For some reason, the two styles mix like oil and water, even though they're not that different stylistically.

But at the Hub City Hip-Hop open mic night on alternate Wednesdays at the Court Tavern in New Brunswick, both styles are welcome.

"The conscious guys used to perform at those shows and they weren't allowing those outside groups to perform," said Hub City Hip-Hop host Universol of previous hip-hop nights at the Court. "The people on the street do it and they take it seriously."

Universol (aka Uni V. Sol) and his partner in rhyme Sidai (aka Owen Velez) make sure that those who take the mic are up to standards.

"As long as people have business and come correct, they get on the stage," Sidai said. "Actually, the crowd decides who stays."

It's a talented field and not an exclusively New Brunswick crowd, either. Perth Amboy heavyweights Swing and Ill Souls make regular stops to the Exit 9 open mic. Those who make it under the spotlight just might see themselves on video. Sidai tapes the shows and posts performances on the open mic's Youtube page, www.youtube.com/hubcityhiphop.

"We're open to all styles of hip-hop — open to all kinds of stuff," said Universol, a fiery spitter in his own right. "Guys that usually wouldn't talk to each other . . . are really putting it down here and exchanging numbers out in the back."

That's called coming together.

click here to city videos from Hub City Hip Hop

click here to see more of Sidai's work







Ensemble assemble

When the moon is in the seventh house and Jupiter aligns with Mars, it ain't the dawning of age of Aquarius. It's time for a show from Lunar Ensemble.

The New Brunswick supergroup will perform at the city's Court Tavern for the first time in five years on Thursday.

Don't call it a comeback.

"We never gave it up," said Doug "Sluggo" Vizthum. "We've been on hiatus, but we've kept doing through the last 21 years."

This version of the Ensemble — formerly known as the Lunar Bear Ensemble — features poet John "Lunar" Richey; Tom DiEllo, bass; Chris McKenna, drums; Greg DiGesu, guitar/keyboards; and Vizthum, guitar. Dave Dreiwitz, bassist for Ween and Tiny Lights, and Martin Atkins, drummer for Public Image Ltd., Ministry, Killing Joke and the Ensemble's original drummer, will make Thursday's show.

Former member Richard "Bear" Graham has relocated to Asheville, N.C., Vizthum reports.

The group — which plays jazzy riffs and airtight grooves while Richey recites his poetry — is playing in support of a new live album, "Offbeat" (MuWorks). The tracks were recorded live at the Court between '98 and '02. It's a bittersweet occasion as the album features late drummer Lance Carter of Woodbridge, who passed away in November after an 18-month-long battle with Primary (AL) Amyloidosis, a rare bone-marrow disease.

"The stuff with Lance, that stuff is pretty amazing," Vizthum said. "We all miss him."

Chris Jordan can be reached at (732) 565-7275 or

cjordan@thnt.com

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Record Number: bru71629367