Also this issue: Positive Charge For all the controversy, Steve Earle's Jerusalem ends on a profoundly optimistic note. -Sam Adams Star Power Homer Jackson's Dogon PM finds art and science under the same sky. -Patrick Rapa Joe Kim -Patrick Rapa The Capital City Dusters -Paul Burress Engine Down -John Vettese GZA -Paul Burress Pleasure Club -A.D. Amorosi Smog -Paul Burress

November 21-27, 2002

beat box

compiled by Ainé Ardron-Doley ( applesz6@aol.com

It’s a school night, but the kids’ll be gathering together in the name of hip-hop as Penn’s monthly all-ages series The Gathering sets the stage for brave MCs, breakers and DJs. Thu., Nov. 21, 9 p.m.-2 a.m., free, The Rotunda, 4012 Walnut St., 215-573-3234. P.S.: You never know who might show up to do battle; Lyricist Lounger Wordsworth was in the house last month.

If you can't stand Philly radio right about now, get thyself dressed for Soul Clap, a night of "below the radar" hip-hop, soul, house, funk and breaks. DJs Lil' Dave, Statik, Panek and Phillee Blunt, a.k.a. The Ill Vibe Collective, hold court on the decks. Lil' Dave says "we'll be playing music sooo dope that if you aren't dancin', you're at the DJ booth beggin' us for a playlist." Fri., Nov. 22, 10 p.m.-2 a.m., free before 11 p.m., $5 after, Fluid, 613 S. Fourth St., 215-629-0565,

www.illvibe.net

. Or maybe you missed local recording artist Konstant’s album release party a few weeks ago? Have no fear, it’s the Konstant Album Release Party II! Fri., Nov. 22, 8 p.m., $10, North American Inn’s Ritz Ballroom, 444 City Line Ave., 610-760-2282.

Hosted by spoken-word star Bernard Collins and curated by Ms. Stef Renee, Linguistics is yet another golden opportunity for poets, MCs, vocalists and singer/songwriters to get shine. Sat., Nov. 23, 8 p.m., free, The Rotunda.

Aspiring artists and new signees alike will demonstrate what they’ve got at the Sony/Epic Music Showcase. Sun., Nov. 24, 7 p.m, $15, The Eighth Floor, 800 N. Delaware Ave., 215-922-1000.

Method Monday storms back into action with one of the Wu’s finest, GZA. Mon., Nov. 25, 8 p.m., $18-$20, TLA, 334 South St., 215-336-2000. Ooh la la, the Genius! Take a late pass on the much-heralded and media-jocked opener, J-Live. But wait, anotha New Yorker, Queens’ DJ Primetime, is taking over the wheels between sets! Try for free tix at

www.goodiegoodie.com

and check out Primetime’s show on 1610 AM WRFT, Temple Ambler, Tuesdays, noon-1 p.m. On another note, it’s the Avenue Zero-hosted The Last Instrument, an open mic for vocalists, musicians and lyricists. Last time was certainly big willy’n with Donovan McNabb, Gov.-elect Ed Rendell and Sixers GM Billy King all on the set. Mon., Nov. 25, 8 p.m., $10, Warmdaddy’s, 4 S. Front St., 215-627-2500.

And last but not least, can’t get enough hip-hop? E-mail

timsavage@thablaze.com

or visit

www.thablaze.com

to get on his h-h-h-hot mailing list and be a part of Philly’s ever-growing music community.