DJ HEATHER, HOUSE SUPERHERO

DB's Best Bets

With Denise Benson

With Yarah Bravo, Abstract Rude, Deuce Eclipse, Amchok Gompo. Thu, Nov 8. The Drake Undergound, 1150 Queen W. $13.

At last, Russian-born, Brooklyn-based spinner and producer DJ Vadim is touring in support of Sound Catcher, his fifth and strongest full-length to date. Released earlier this year, the album found Vadim particularly on-point with his beats, live and sampled instrumentation as well as his collaborations with numerous rappers, soul singers and reggae vocalists. He takes a soundsystem approach here, manning the decks, effects and sampler while Joe Tatton plays keys and vocalists including smooth, versatile Yarah Bravo and reggae/soul singer Emo take centre stage. Vadim also appears at Slinky Music (442 Queen W.) on Nov. 9 at 2pm.

With Daniel Lui (live), DJs Fatima Camera, Shamus Coghlan, Tom Kuo a.k.a. Task, Nitsuji, Ozawa. Fri, Nov 9. Reverb, 651 Queen W. $22 from 156 Augusta, Slinky, Rotate This, Soundscapes.

After hosting brilliant techno tinkerer Monolake earlier this year, the Pusher crew return with an equally special headlining guest: Cologne's Thomas Brinkmann. The last decade has seen Brinkmann release a steady stream of adventurous, minimal albums and EPs on a variety of labels, including his own Max Ernst imprint, while gaining infamy for his intense and experimental live sets. He's in good company here, with Dan Lui a.k.a. Rainfield performing a rare live set, solid supporting DJs, the Wabi trio hosting their own room and Wüstenarchitekten providing visuals.

With DJs Mischief & Frankie, Master Kev, Andy Roberts. Fri, Nov 9. Revival, 783 College. $20 advance tickets at Play De Record, Cosmos, Clubzone.com, milkaudio.com. $25 at door.

Over the past 15 years, Chicago's DJ Heather has developed on many levels. She came up playing hip-hop and house in Windy City clubs, then developed an international rep through touring incessantly with her chunky, funky house selections. As a producer and vocalist, she's collaborated with artists including Brett Johnson and East Coast Boogiemen and also runs her own Blackcherry Recordings. Travelling in support of her Summer Sessions 2 mix CD for the past four months, Heather hits the upstairs at Revival while NYC deep-house don Master Kev headlines downstairs.

With DJs including Crash, Animal, Dubcomm, Saigon, Marcus, more and MCs including JD, Caddy, Trajady, L Natural, more. Sat, Nov 10. Footwork, 425 Adelaide W. $5.

Props to those at Torontojungle.com, both for 10 years of helping support and shape the local jungle and drum 'n' bass scene, and for choosing to celebrate their accomplishment with an all-local lineup. It seems T.O.'s D&B scene has died down enormously of late, making it all the more significant to see a lineup representing many crews of past, present and, ideally, future. Respect!

With DJ Nasty Nav. Wed, Nov 14. The Social, 1100 Queen W. $5 after 11pm.

Hollertronix DJ/producer Diplo seems to have a love for Canadians that runs deep. Not only has he released music by many Canucks on his Mad Decent label, Vancouver's Paul Devro is his right-hand man. An unbelievably talented DJ, Devro artfully blends everything from baile funk, bhangra and Baltimore club to chutney, salsa, hip-house and much more. He also runs things at the Mad Decent blog, and is set to drop an EP of originals on the label. Check his wicked podcasts for XLR8R mag and the fresh mixes on his MySpace page to hear why his set is not to be missed.

EMAIL DBENSON@EYEWEEKLY.COM