Also this issue:

Critical Mass
Local MC Kenneth Masters makes a declaration of independence.
-Ainé Ardron-Doley

Back to the Future
Cracker hasn't crumbled, but David Lowery says Camper Van Beethoven makes sense right now.
-Collin Keefe

Going Somewhere
Intercultural Journeys finds harmony in the music of enemies.
-Mary Armstrong

Watching It Happen
-Patrick Rapa

Cherrywine
-A.D. Amorosi

The Caribbean
-Sam Adams

Eighth Blackbird
-Peter Burwasser

Greater Philadelphia Hip Hop Alliance Showcase
-Ainé Ardron-Doley

January 23-29, 2003

musicpicks

D'Julz

Frenchman D'Julz's floor-pumping mix of house and techno -- generously peppered with elements of tribal, funk and dub -- gets deeper and more heady as the years progress. After fronting Paris' earliest raves, D'Julz moved to New York City in '93 to become a foreign ambassador at the NASA raves, Tunnel, Limelight and more. Upon returning to Paris a short time later he booked DJ residencies all over Europe. Now more prolific than ever, D'Julz puts together deep, funky, heartfelt tracks on labels like Maya, Serial, 20/20 Vision, Paper and Philly's own Ovum. It's not unusual to hear a D'Julz track in the midst of a rockin' DJ set from the likes of Laurent Garnier, Carl Cox, Layo & Bushwacka, DJ Sneak, Doc Martin or Josh Wink (with whom he shares the bill at Fluid on Wednesday). On his latest mix-CD, D'Julz Boxes (Families/React), the French deep tech-house maestro gracefully interweaves atmospheric jazziness and soul-soothing melodies with cuts from Swag, Chateau Flight and even the tribal techno of Samuel L. Sessions. A true Frenchman, D'Julz keeps things pristine and beautiful behind the decks. You will dance in a soul-groovin' pool of exquisite splendor.

Wed., Jan. 29, 10 p.m., $7 before midnight, $9 after, with Josh Wink, Fluid, 613 S. Fourth St., 215-629-0565.

—Sean O’Neal