Compact archive November 7, 2007

Transglobal Underground is a London-based music collective who specialize in a fusion of western, oriental and African music styles (sometimes labeled as “world fusion” or “ethno-techno”). Their early albums featured Natacha Atlas as lead singer and their single “Temple Head” was used in a Coca-Cola advertising campaign for the 1996 Olympic Games.

With some great track titles, TGU are back again, heavy on the beats, and with the spicy Indian influence stronger than ever in the sound, the bass bumping as heavy as any hip-hop release. Of course, it’s not all relentless rhythm—“Spellbound” shows a surprising R&B tinge, while “Pomegranate” takes a side trip to the North African desert, and “Secrets & Distant Dreams” offers exotic Middle Eastern promise. The funk quotient is higher than ever, and all the elements that have constituted the Transglobal sound come together more effortlessly than ever before, making a band that’s finally grown into its own skin and reputation, shedding the ethno-techno tag that dogged them for so many years. Like such fellow travelers as Banco de Gaia and Talvin Singh, TGU make music for a utopian one world, where all races, creeds, and colors are represented on the dance floor. —Chris Nickson

Roxy Prague, Dlouha 33, Prague 1, 2007-11-07, start 19:30, Entry: 450

After the New Year’s Eve, one of the typical features of non-stop bars in Prague 1, slot machines, will disappear. Completely. In Vinohrady or other city parts of Prague 2, there are supposed to be 40 % less of them.

This is the new method of Prague City hall, how to reduce gamblers’ addiction. According to Prague mayor’s deputy Rudolf Blazek bars with slot machines have infested Prague: “The numbers are growing every year. There are 300 new slot machines every year. As a result, we register 7550 slot machines in Prague. That’s untenable.” The other deputies speak in the same manner. Prague 2 mayor said Vinohrady is not Las Vegas.

Bars in Old Prague district, Prague 1, are going to be by the beginning of 2008 free of slot machines. The new law doesn’t limit casinos, which will stay the way they are.

10th November. That is the Crystal Night pogrom anniversary, and also the date, that Prague Jewish Town expects with creeps. First, Czech right-wing extremists announced they will have their little ‘Demonstration against participation of the Czech Republic on Iraq occupation’. Anarchists, who traditionally hate Nazis, have announced to have an anti-nazi march at the day.

After complaints, the radicals are not against any occupation but they are set for a Nazi ceremony, it was banned, than the ban was lifted by a court. Than the Jewish liberal union summons ‘young and healthy soldiers and sportsmen for active resistance’, Political sides announced they will be physically present at the for-Jewish-march. Finally, the radicals march was banned again.

Prague newspaper 24 announced there are expected reinforcements of right-wing radicals to come to Prague, reportedly few hundreds. There are already expected 5000 civilian people to be in the streets on 10th November. The Nazi march is still banned, however the radicals do not seem to give up.

Because of such numbers, there were special police forces called to Prague, which are going to encircle the Prague center. Prague Mayor Pavel Bem said: “we must expect the worst scenario, which is the neo-nazis will try to make their illegal assembly with a march through Jewish Quarters.” But there is an other possibility in the scenario – that they will go some other way, not through the Jewish town, or not through the center at all.