With an endless amount of possible shows to hit up throughout CMJ week, one of the few can’t miss showcases was the Allido Records showcase at S.O.B.’s on 10.21.08.  Allido CEOs Mark Ronson and Rich Kleimen brought over most of their talent and some friends to treat the packed out club to what’s in store for the label in 2009.  Music throughout the night was provided by Allido DJs Mark Ronson, Jus Ske, and Doug Grayson.  Inbetween, the label’s different acts took the stage and offered a sampling including an Obama pumped Rhymefest (telling the crowd “when I say ‘O’ you say ‘Bama’) and a live and energetic performance from England’s The Rumble Strips.  The Strips were tapped by Ronson to produce their follow up album to last year’s debut Girls and Weather.

The night got interesting when Daniel Merriweather took the stage.  Even though Merriweather was a regular at past YoYo events and made his name in the New York club scene, for many including myself this was our first chance to see him perform a full show with cuts from his new record.  The surprise guests for the night turned out to be worth the hype, as The Dap Kings joined him on stage and served as his backing band with Dave Guy’s blaring trumpet powering Brooklyn’s unstoppable force.  Merriweather’s performance was strong and the album definitely sounds exciting, especially if the actual cuts are going to be Dap-backed as one would think.

Headlining the show as expected was the king of the blogs and now one of XXL Magazine’s freshman to watch for 2009, Wale.  Introduced by DJ Green Lantern with a speech hyping Wale as one of the top rappers out right now, Wale broke into his set backed by a go-go band like his February show.