Steve Baltin

During his many years with the British band Underworld, DJ Darren Emerson played a part in arguably the most memorable bass line in electronic music--the pulsating "Born Slippy," a song made famous by its use in "Trainspotting"--and helped elevate the group to its status as one of the top live acts in the genre. So there's no question that Emerson has the skills to be a world-class DJ in his own right. However, his two-hour set at Vynyl on Thursday did little to make his case.

During his many years with the British band Underworld, DJ Darren Emerson played a part in arguably the most memorable bass line in electronic music--the pulsating "Born Slippy," a song made famous by its use in "Trainspotting"--and helped elevate the group to its status as one of the top live acts in the genre. So there's no question that Emerson has the skills to be a world-class DJ in his own right. However, his two-hour set at Vynyl on Thursday did little to make his case.

Compay Segundo, "Las Flores de la Vida," Nonesuch. Four years of touring and recording have donewonders for the 93-year-old Buena Vista Social Club member. He performs "Bilongo," "Longina" and "Guantanamera" with an exuberance that makes you forget you've heard these standards a thousand times before. --ERNESTO LECHNER The Donnas, "Turn 21," Lookout!

With frustrating frequency the Calendar section reveals the latest hot spot that is supposedly "impossible to get into" ["If You Get In, the Vibe's Just Right," by Steve Baltin, Jan. 19]. How can this be legal? How is it not discrimination to say, yes-you, yes-you, no-not you, and not even claim private membership as an excuse? Why does no one question this? Would someone please explain this? I'm baffled that it persists and seems to be admired rather than reviled. They're selling a product (food)

Regarding Steve Baltin's pan of Basement Jaxx's new "Rooty" album, suggesting they try "more heart and less polish" next time--did he even listen to this CD (Record Rack, July 22)? By citing the CD's most conventional track ("Broken Dreams") as its highlight, Baltin reveals his own lack of ears/booty-quotient. What about the propulsive Gary Numan-cum-Armand Van Helden hooligan chant "Where's Your Head At?" Or the punk/garage breakbeat rave-up "Breakaway"? Or the neo-Prince quirky romp "Crazy Girl"?

Venice publisher and editorial director Nancy Bishop never goes anywhere without copies of her magazine. Arriving at the Sony Pictures lot for a screening of "The Company," the new film from director Robert Altman (whom Bishop calls "Brother Bob"), she distributes copies to parking lot attendants, security guards, publicists, anyone in sight, like a magazine Santa Claus.

Since his first hit, "Thee Dawn," 10 years ago, Felix Da Housecat has run an influential label, Radikal Fear Records, and remixed the likes of Diana Ross. But until recently, nine out of 10 U.S. music fans probably had no clue who Felix is. In the last month, though, Felix, who came out of the legendary Chicago house music scene, was named one of Rolling Stone magazine's 10 artists to watch in 2002, and his "Kittenz and Thee Glitz" was named the best album of 2001 by Muzik magazine.

The Black Crowes might be an unusual band for an English dance act to be compared to, but there were multiple similarities apparent between the Crowes and England's Lo Fidelity Allstars during the latter's 75-minute set on Wednesday at Vynyl. Besides the retro appearance and sometimes indulgent jamming, the two acts have similar career paths. Each came out with an abundance of hype and an arrogance to match it, and each has been humbled by commercial disappointment.

While English electronic duo Groove Armada did release a mix CD between its last two original releases, "Vertigo" and the recent "Goodbye Country, Hello Nightclub," few think of Tom Findlay and Andy Cato as DJs. The pair has made its reputation instead with the stylish grooves that have become the Groove Armada signature. But on Monday at the club 1650 (formerly Vynyl), Findlay and Cato got to show a different side of Groove Armada as they put on their dancing shoes during an extended DJ set.

Brent Bolthouse and Sam Nazarian have put their stamp all over West Hollywood with Hyde, Area, the Lobby and more. Now they're ready to make their mark in Hollywood, starting with the bohemian-inspired, Philippe Starck-designed S Bar, a new intimate lounge (capacity 100) on the corner of Hollywood and Vine. Opening is scheduled for mid-October.

After nearly two decades of chasing rock stardom, Thelonious Monster frontman Bob Forrest says with a smile, "You can't continue to live on a pipe dream." Neither the dream nor Forrest seem ready to part ways. The L.A. alternative band, which does a free in-store show at Amoeba Records tonight at 7, recently released its first album in 12 years, "California Clam Chowder." Every song on the 15-track collection is written in the style of and named after the group's influences.