Blind I | The Boutique Music Blog | Quality Over Quantity.

MAIYA PRESENTS…RENDEZVOUS VOL. 15

I once told Sulaiman that I wanted to find the art that was on the walls in that scene of Belly (by Thierry le Goues) and suggested he use it for (RDV7). I’m big on art and the walls of my apartment have always been lined with it. He delivered immaculately. The talent on the Blind I staff never ceases to amaze me. Our imaginations are all over the place.  For this volume, Noah asked me the usual, “What do you want the cover to look like?” I responded with my usual abstract (albeit unhelpful) explanation of what I had in mind.  It went something like this.

Me: Ummm this is what I’m thinking (Shows a classic photo of Kate Moss smoking a cigarette). I like the idea of a beautiful woman smoking a cigarette. Probably because I want someone to take an edgy picture of me with a cigarette. Even though I don’t smoke.  (Shows photo of Naomi Campbell naked pointing a gun at the camera). Like a good girl gone bad vibe.
No: I feel you. Let me look at all of these pics. I’m in full agreement with having titties on the covers of RDV now. I’m glad Pam Grier was the first.
Me: Well… it’s not about the titties, Noah. More like raw sexuality and strength, you know?
No: Yeah…All that. And titites!

The one we ended up with was the first image I sent to Noah. And I love the way he flipped it! If you’ve noticed, we’ve posted less and less of these compilations. It’s not because we don’t love them or don’t care. We just want to adhere to our mantra of quality over quantity and allow you to really spend time with each one.  It’s always a joy for me to highlight artists that are friends of mine on here and this month there are several.  Hopefully you enjoy this one! Tracks/links after the jump.

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Tags: ANNA WISE, BLIND I, blu, BLUM, CARLITTA DURAND, COMMON, CORTEX, DAEDELUS, drake, EVIL NEEDLE, ILL POETIC, J DILLA, JOANNA NEWSOM, KELELA MIZANEKRISTOS, KNXWLEDGE, MAIYA PRESENTS...RENDEZVOUS VOL. 15, MINGUS MURRAY, MNDSGN, PHONTE, Quadron, RZA, SZJERDENE, THE ROOTS, THE STUYVESANTS, The Weeknd

BLIND I PRESENTS ONYX 2.0 AT CMJ • WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19TH

YES, YES, YES, we’re at it again this year for CMJ with the 2nd annual ONYX showcase featuring some of Blind I’s favorite acts! The lineup is crazy, as we’ve got dope ass performances lined up from The Stuyvesants, yours truly (Sulaiman), Tennille, L.E. for the Uncool, Raj Mahal, Carlitta Durand, and TiRon & Ayomari! A very soulful, dope-filled roster of talent to make the night of Wednesday, October 19th at Southpaw in Brooklyn a night to remember! Pre sale tickets are available at http://onyx2cmj.eventbrite.com or if you just scan the QR code on the flyer. CMJ badge holders will be granted free access to the festivities, we’ll have cool stuff going on throughout the venue, photo booths, impressive demeanors, the whole nine! Hope to see you out there….it’s gonna be dope as shit!

DOWNLOAD the ONYX 2.0 Compilation for a taste of what to expect. Tracklist after the jump!

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Tags: Brooklyn, CARLITTA DURAND, CMJ, Compilation, L.E. For The Uncool, Onyx 2.0, Raj Mahal, SOUTHPAW, Sulaiman, Tennille, THE STUYVESANTS, TIRON & AYOMARI

MAIYA PRESENTS…RENDEZVOUS VOL. 12

Evil Needle-Jazzolude #2

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I couldn’t really figure out the tone I wanted this volume of Rendezvous to have. So it was fitting when Noah sent me the cover artwork and it looked like braille or an encryption you have to decode.  However, after playing the songs in this one, I have to say it’s one of my favorites I’ve done in a while. Songs like “Manifestations” aren’t conventionally “sexy” but to me there’s something sultry about them. These mixes in general are like a trip inside our minds and what moves us each. Not sure why exactly, but somehow this fits nicely. Tracks/links after the jump. Enjoy.

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Tags: ANDREYA TRIANA, CARLITTA DURAND, CORTEX, Eric Roberson, EVIL NEEDLE, GEORGIA ANNE MULDROW, J*DAVEY, JUDAH, JUST JAY, Koushik, LITTLE DRAGON, MONO/POLY, PHAROAHE MONCH, SLUM VILLAGE, THE CREATOR, THE ROOTS, TYLER

VIDEO: ICARLI – CARLITTA DURAND

Carlitta Durand isn’t your usual soul contender. Mixing up the tones of funk, jazz, soul and hip-hop, Carlitta‘s unique recognizable voice breaks any boundaries of pure music greatness. Peep her New Video icarli and If you haven’t checked out Nostalgic Nights, stream and download it via bandcamp.

Tags: CARLITTA DURAND

BLIND I SAYS GO! MARCH 2011

Shit’s moving nowadays. SXSW is upon us, great things are bubbling in the music scene, and of course the March 2011 edition of Blind I Says GO! is right on time to give you the freshest, sonically superb product from the artists you NEED to be in tune with. Chip, Adele, Wiz, Kenna, Lupe, Raekwon, Pusha, Curren$y, who you should all know on a first-name basis by now, joined by newcomers Jhene Aiko, Tree, and Action Bronson, compile a stellar collection that I must say has a bit of a Napoleon complex – short but packing a shitload of heat. So without further ado, partake! Track listing after the jump!

[DOWNLOAD]
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Tags: Action Bronson, Adele, Big Rapper Pooh, Big Sean, CARLITTA DURAND, CHAD HUGO, CHIP THA RIPPER, Clipse, Curren$y, GHOSTFACE KILLAH, Jhene Aiko, Kenna, Lupe Fiasco, PETE ROCK, PUSHA T, RAEKWON, Rick Ross, Shimmy Hoffa, Sir Michael Rocks, TABI BONNEY, Trae, Tree, Wiz Khalifa

MAIYA PRESENTS…INNERVISIONS VOL. 5

D’Angelo- Everybody Loves The Sunshine

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Here we are with Innervisions Vol. 5. For those of you who are new to the compilation series, it was inspired by Stevie Wonder’s 1973 classic record. On these mixes, I include a lot of old-school soul, funk, R&B and blend it with some modern songs for a trippy experience. You should feel like you stepped into a time machine either to the past or the future when you play the songs. I’ve been getting my footing for getting these to sound right for a while, and I think it’s the most cohesive set besides Vol. 3 which is my favorite to date. Tracks and links after the jump.  As always thanks to NO for his artistic perspective with the artwork. Enjoy!

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Tags: BILL WITHERS, BLIND I, CARLITTA DURAND, Compilation, D'ANGELO, DENIECE WILLIAMS, diana ross, drake, ENCHANTMENT, FAT JON, GEORGIA ANNE MULDROW, Isley Brothers, MAIYA PRESENTS...INNERVISIONS VOL. 5, Marvin Gaye, MELO X, MTUME, TEDDY PENDEGRASS, teena marie, THE DELFONICS, THE STUYVESANTS

VIDEO: CARLITTA DURAND – LOST LOVE (F/ JABEE)

This song is off of the Vaughn Garcia (M1 Platoon) produced EP The Doug & Patty. Carlitta Durand debuts in her first set of visuals for “Lost Love” alongside Jabee. The video is directed by NC videographer, Napoleon Wright II.

Tags: BLIND I, CARLITTA DURAND, Jabee, M1 Platoon

CARLITTA DURAND & VAUGHN GARCIA – THE DOUG & PATTY EP

Yes! This gives me an excuse to expose my inner child. Used to definitely rock to Doug on Nickelodeon. Come to think of it, Patty was the first Halle Berry! You could even argue Amber Rose as well. She was lowkey hood too. But enough of that. Carlitta Durand & Vaughn Garcia collaborate on a very fresh project, The Doug & Patty EP, with some ill beats and flavorful melodies. Check out “Doug’s Funny Love” and then Partake!

Tags: CARLITTA DURAND, Vaughn Garcia

ZO! – ….JUST VISITING TOO EP

Zo! returns in anticipation of his album SunStorm dropping next summer (damn, did you know Foreign Exchange had a label now?), and drops the …Just Visiting Too EP, with features from all the regular gang…Phonte, Yahzarah, Carlitta Durand, Sy Smith, Darien Brockington. Check out Perfect Angel featuring Yahzarah and then indulge in the free download (track listing after the jump)

Zo! – Perfect Angel (Feat. Yahzarah)

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Download Zo! – ….Just Visiting EP (Direct)
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Tags: CARLITTA DURAND, DARIEN BROCKINGTON, PHONTE, SY SMITH, YAHZARAH, ZO!

NO KNOWS DOPE | SEPTEMBER 2009

While Brothas Holdin’ 9′s Like September ~ Q Tip

Watts up?! Watts up!? Tis that time of the month… no not the 28th day … the 15th! Ya know $ & I hit ya off on the 1st & 15th with our Blind I staple comps (GO! & NKD) & today is my day & I’m coming with a vibe on some Detroit schitt, New schitt, exclusive schitt, never before heard schitt, some beat schitt, some future schitt, some house schitt, some electronic schitt, some remixed schitt, some soul schitt, some vintage schitt, some classic schit & SOME SCHITT overall! The faithful are already DL’ing… I suggest you follow suit. & SUIT UP! Cuz this months NKD is Legen …wait for it… & I hope your not lactose intolerant cuz this 2nd half of that word is… Dary

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yup. Like that.

DOWNLOAD NO KNOWS DOPE – SEPTEMBER 2009 [MEDIAFIRE]

eNjOy!

Tags: ARES, BAATIN, BARNEY STINSON, BLACK MILK, Brittany Street, CARLITTA DURAND, CUNNINGLYNGUISTS, De La Soul, DEODATO, DERT, DEVONWHO, DON PRAHFIT, Eric Roberson, estelle, Esthero, FLYING LOTUS, GHOSTFACE KILLAH, GUILTY SIMPSON, HEATH BROTHERS, HOUSE SHOES, ILLA J, J DILLA, JAY DEE, Jeru The Damaja, KURL BOOGIE, LOCSMIF, MADLIB, Mos Def, Musiq Soulchild, Nas, NICOLAY, NKD, NO KNOWS DOPE, NOAHDEEAKILI, OMAR, OUTKAST, PETE ROCK, PHAT KAT, PHONTE, Que D, QUSIMOTO, Redman, RES, SHATEK, SLUM VILLAGE, STEVIE WONDER, STRON ARM STEADY, T3, THE BANGERZ, THE JACKSONS, THE PHARCYDE, Thievery Corporation, TONY TOUCH, TRIFE, WAYNA, WEEZMATIC, WITCHDOCTOR, YANCEY BOYS