Osamu M Brand New Made

Two upcoming events put the focus on two new clubs with similar names but very different missions. Ism in Shibuya will play host to hip young New York house DJ Young Richard in a new event called Fall Out on Mar 17; while hip hop club Izm in Shinjuku will see hip hop dance outfit Cobra performing on Mar 31.

Opened a few months back in the Dogenzaka area of Shibuya, Ism has recently distinguished itself with its serious approach to dance music. Sat, Mar 17 will see New York DJ Young Richard manning the decks, alongside Tokyo DJ Osamu M in Fall Out. Hailing from New York City, Young Richard held court at key clubs such as Twilo and Webster Hall before moving to Tokyo in the fall of 1999 to continue his activities here. Since then, Richard, whose style has been described as "hard, dark, minimal, deep and experimental," has played all over town in addition to releasing music for Avex and other labels. Osamu M, on the other hand, will be known to patrons of Aoyama club Maniac Love, where he was a resident of the club' Opera House events, and now hosts a new event, Zoon, focusing on New York-style hard house.

Meanwhile over in Shinjuku's Kabukicho, Izm has stood out from the area's hip hop/reggae clubs since its opening in July 2000, and is giving Shibuya's Harlem a run for its money as Tokyo's hottest hip hop club. A breakdance event, Cobra, scheduled for Mar 31, provides a good opportunity to check it out. Featuring dancer Mr Irie - just back from cleaning up in a world breakdance contest in Los Angeles - Cobra will strut their stuff throughout the evening. Unlike many of Tokyo's hip hop clubs, Izm manager Ai Kasuya says that Izm attracts a mature crowd; and with two floors presenting different events each night it offers something for everyone.

Finally, new Tokyo club scene website Clubberia (www.clubberia.com) - first-rate resource for those with a bit of Japanese ability - will also be holding a party with DJ Osamu M behind the decks. Slated for Mar 24, Com-mune launched last Dec and is evolving into a monthly mainstay of the Roppongi nightlife scene.

Fall Out: Ism, 3/17, 11pm, JY2500, JY2000 (w/flyer), w/1d. Tel: 03-3780-6320.

Cobra: Izm, 3/31, 10pm, JY2500, JY2000 (w/flyer), w/1d. Tel: 03-3200-8915.

Com-mune: Core, 3/24, 10pm, JY3000, JY2500(w/flyer), until midnight JY2000 (w/flyer), w/1d. Info: Brand New Made 03-5410-1470.