(Mochilla; two hours)

www.mochilla.com

The late DJ Dusk was a crucial component of the LA underground hip-hop scene, as both a DJ and club promoter. Before his untimely death in 2006, when he was struck and killed by a drunk driver, he held court at Root Down, a club night that focused on all the vital aspects of hip-hop (and ignored the superficial). The night regularly brought some of the best names of LA hip-hop out to perform, before they were famous. This new DVD, directed by B+ and Coleman, who captured the nights on DV cam, compiles three of the greatest performances on the Root Down stage.

Soundclash took its cues from the Jamaican DJ battles of the ‘60s and ‘70s, pitting the skills of individual selectors against each other. First up is Madlib vs. Cut Chemist, next is Will.i.am vs. Thes One, and finally there is Oh No vs. Exile. The energy level varies from battle to battle (without any animosity involved, mind you), but this DVD will really only be of interest to the most devoted fans. Two hours of grainy split-screen video of even the best DJ is not for the uninitiated.

Still, this DVD is an interesting snapshot of an era, and a fitting tribute to one of its leading figures, DJ Dusk.

Special Features: none. JONAH FLICKER