The London music scene with DJ KAYA

9:39am Thursday 22nd May 2008

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Adi Leff, also known as DJ KAYA, reveals everything you need to know about the London music scene this week.

Tonight (Thursday, May 22) German electro house duo Booka Shade of 'Body Language' fame play at ULU and Dutch soulful electronica act Flowriders are at Mau Mau.

Paul Weller continues his stint at the Hammersmith Apollo tonight and tomorrow while another 80's front man, Mark Knopfler begins a 6 day residency at the Royal Festival Hall on Sunday as part of his tour to promote the new album 'Kill to Get Crimson'.

Hip-hop pioneers Public Enemy will be reprising in its entirety their 1988 seminal album 'It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back' at the Brixton Academy on Friday as part of the 'Don't Look Back' series of gigs. Support comes from fellow old school favourites Hank and Keith Shocklee, Anti-Pop Consortium and the always impressive Doctor Octagon A.K.A. Kool Keith.

Los Angeles-based electronica producer Daedelus makes a rare appearance at Corsica Studios the same night at Ninja Tune's launch party for his new album 'Love To Make Music By'. With a live appearance from Canadian Rapper Cadence Weapon and DJs including Zilla and Rustie (as well as free Absinthe for those adorned as Victorian Dandy's) it is bound to be a great night.

Brainlove Records host their second annual twelve hour all-dayer Brainlove Festival for quirky underground pop on Saturday at the Windmill, featuring Cats In Paris, Tim Ten Yen and Gay Against You among others.

Also on Saturday influential musical chameleons Sparks perform at the Islington Academy. Having formed in L.A. in the 70's and racked up their 20th studio album in 2006 this unconventional electro-pop band have sometimes been unfairly dismissed as a mere novelty.

On Sunday Nu Era are joined by West London based DJ/producer funky break beat collective Bugz in the Attic, Lazer Cru and jazz house DJ Phil Asher at East Village (formerly Medicine Shoreditch).

The same day at Cargo an event called From The Furnace will see PAs and collaborations from dub reggae producer Adrian Sherwood (celebrating 30 years of his legendary On-U label) and in-demand dub step producer Mala. Also appearing will be classic reggae singer Little Roy.

Saul Williams is a rapper, poet and actor best known for combining all three talents to powerful effect in 90's cult film 'Slam'. He performs at the Scala on Tuesday while the next night French-Israeli singer/songwriter Yael Naim (made famous by the use of her track 'New Soul' on the MacBook advert) plays her simple but effective brand of jazzy folk.

The same night at 93 Feet East are electronic rockers Temposhark. Hailing from London and Brighton, their debut album 'The Invisible Line' will include collaborations with Imogen Heap, Guy Sigsworth and Camille Dalmais.

Looking ahead, next Thursday marks the launch of the UK's largest hip-hop festival with Rising Styles Afrolution at Cargo. As well as music from local and international artists such as Emmanuel Jal, Excalibah and DJ 279 all elements of hip-hop culture will be celebrated including break dancing and even a fashion showcase.

Adriel Leff works for Hi Life Records (hiliferecords.com) alongside fellow artists including DJ Device and RK. His remix of Get Together' by RK (featuring Linda Muriel formerly of The Brand New Heavies) and other collaborations are available from most major download sites. You can download his podcasts free from djkaya.podomatic.com or for more information check out myspace.com/deejaykaya.