King Britt storms the turntables

Blackalicious gets plenty of props for its lyrical positivity, musical invention, and studio prowess (2005's aptly named The Craft was culled from some 120 tracks recorded over two years with a slew of R&B and hip-hop A-listers). With the recent release of 4/20 Live in Seattle, the Bay Area duo's first DVD, the hip-hop act can also take credit for a live show that's considerably more compelling, sonically and visually, than the genre usually allows for; no DAT-player "DJing" here. The hour-long movie captures a sweaty, boombastic performance at Seattle's Showbox Theater during Blackalicious' Spring 2006 tour, for which Gift of Gab and Chief Xcel joined forces with Lateef, Pigeon John, Lifesavas, and Fat Lip of The Pharcyde, as well as a cadre of backup singers and live musicians. Catch the real thing when Blackalicious performs on Wednesday, Dec. 27, at the Fillmore at 8 p.m. Admission is $22; call 346-6000 or visit www.thefillmore.com for more info. — J. Niimi

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Blackalicious.

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More About

• Blackalicious
• King Britt
• Chief Xcel
• Hip-Hop and Rap
• Electronic Music

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Club nights normally have minuscule shelf lives, but recurring party "The Gathering" is back from semihibernation to celebrate 15 years of the boogie. Conceived as a roaming bash when the Bay Area rave scene was becoming something massive, its principal DJs became known by their first names only. Those jocks — Garth, Jenö, Spun, and Tony — still curate quality house music like few of their younger colleagues. Overgrown post-ravers and new clubbers alike should have no trouble finding common ground on which to get down on Saturday, Dec. 30, at DNA Lounge at 10 p.m. Admission is $10-15; call 626-1409 or visit www.dnalounge.com for more info. — Tamara Palmer

Philadelphia's King Britt was busy in 2006. One minute he assisted with the frenetic score to the Miami Vice flick. The next he continued hurricane relief efforts and continued a commitment to Southern history with his remixes of late gospel-folk legend Sister Gertrude Morgan. And that's not even mentioning his techno project Nova Dream Sequence. Britt will come armed with at least 30 years' worth of soul, disco, house, and techno classics for this DJ performance, with possible sneak peeks of unreleased work thrown in as well. Tortured Soul, a live house music trio from New York, joins Britt at the 11-hour party on Sunday, Dec. 31, at DNA Lounge at 9 p.m. Admission is $50 adv.; call 626-1409 or visit www.dnalounge.com for more info. — T.P.