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

MAGICAL PROPERTIES TOUR FEAT. DAEDELUS + THE GASLAMP KILLER

Oh hot damn. Someone get my helmut cause my heads about to explode from awesomeness. L.A. the land of smog and TRUE underground music is about to do it again. This lineup is about to terrorize the United States (and Canada) and I suggest any beat loving fool to book their tickets NOW. Check the official press release after the drop for more info on this spectacular event.

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NOSAJ THING | LOW LIMIT | SQUARE WEEZY [[[TONIGHT]]]

December 4th, 2009, San Jose once again will be host to The Changing Same Music and Arts Series at the Agenda Lounge This will be The Changing Same’s 2 year anniversary, which was launched in 2007 at San Francisco’s club Mighty. Co-founded by Ungrammar, The Changing Same’s headlining artists that night for the launch were Prince prodigies J DaVeY along with Platinum Pied Pipers. Since then, Ungrammar has stayed the course with the mission of what The Changing Same is all about – presenting emerging artists that are at the forefront in the future realm of Soul, Electronica, Latin and post Hip Hop sounds – or can we say new sh!t!

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Peep the jump for major info & major heat from the illest in the game …

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J.ROCC | DAEDELUS | RAS G. | NOBODY

I gave into the flesh on that last post. My bad y’all. To make up for it , here is some true schitt the good folks over @ DubLab are doing with J.Rocc, Daedelus, Ras G. & Nobody. Schitts major!

COP THIS ISH!!

(comes out Feb 9th 2010 tho, so hold tight)

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THE CHANGING SAME PRESENTS: NOSAJ THING

My homies Grammar and Tommy of the Changing Same are bringing you that good music San Jose. Constantly. So this Friday prepare yourself for quite the musical journey as Nosaj Thing rocks your mind.

Already praised by Flying Lotus, Mary Anne Hobbs, and the like for his beautiful compositions on his debut album Drift, everyone in attendance is bound to have an aural treat.

Also backing him up will be the amazing Free the Robots, making his return to San Jose as well as the 408′s hometown hero Goldenchyld.

$7 Pre-sale tickets @ grammer.newsense@gmail.com

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THE MOTHER.FUCKING GASLAMP KILLER

The good homie is gonna be in town tonight along with Flying Lotus, Daedelus, Hudson Mohawke, Kutmah Sam I Yam & more, so I felt it necessary to post his mix that he did for the good folks over @ Shilo.

In his own words…

THE GASLAMP KILLER “WE MAKE IT GOOD” MIX IS A ROUGH AND TOUGH RIDE THROUGH SOME OF THE MOSTFILTHY TUNES ON THE PLANET!

THE GLK GOES FROM DIRTY SCRATCH BEATS TO DIRTY SOUTH RAP, TO SOME NEW NEW BEAT SHIT, TO NIRVANA! THEN STRAIGHT TO BOMBAY INDIA FOR SOME BOLLYWOOD FUN, RIGHT INTO SOME JAYLIB! ANDTHATS ALL WITHIN THE FIRST 10 MINUTES OF THIS MIX. NUFF SAID. PEEP IT.”

-THE MOTHERFUCKING GASLAMP KILLER ( LOW END THEORY LA )

[TRACK LISTING & DOWNLOAD AFTER THE VAN HALEN...errrr...JUMP!]

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DRUNK DIAL

When the liquor settles in your system and shadows start dancing on the walls in your blurry periphery, who creeps into your mind? Whether it’s fueled by hurt, sexual energy or fondness, everyone has a person lingering in their subconscious that would complete the perfect Champagne Chronic Nightcap. By drunken default or with inhibitions suppressed, John or Jane Doe is only a Blackberry key away from your sensual sweet nothings.

More and tracklist after the jump. › Read More…

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KAMELEON

In an era where many production styles recycle the same formula, it’s intriguing to hear a beat that you can’t quite categorize. Sometimes when you listen to a track, you can imagine a certain rapper or R & B artist placed over the song. But there are producers that the staff at Blind I enjoy like Flying Lotus and Daedelus that channel their innovation into a more obscure sound, that is distinguishable from your everyday beat on the ratio. This kind of abstract energy inspired Blind I to feature Kameleon, a producer from California that is flying right under the radar.

If the name Kameleon rings a bell, it’s probably because you’ve downloaded some of his music through one of the monthly compilations that we’ve previously posted. Hailing from Southern California, and now based in Philly, Kameleon formed hip-hop group Soul Students during college and honed his production skills in Virginia, the regional hotbed for classically dope beats. Blending sultry soul samples with jazz references and hip-hop, Kameleon has garnered nods from the likes of Talib Kweli, 9^th Wonder Kev Brown and Nottz, all the way to old school vets Roy Ayers. Blind I sat down to pick his brain about beats, rhymes and life.

Blind I: What kind of records do you usually sample? What’s your most obscure pick?

Kameleon: I pretty much sample anything, but I think a majority of my stuff comes from jazz artists since I play bass, keyboard and sax. The weirdest music I’ve probably tapped is some folk music from an artist named Joan Baez that I’m sure you’ve never hear of! I definitely dig deep. But I listen for something that hits my ear just right and I can get that from any artist from any era.

Blind I: What’s your process for creating a beat?

Kameleon: I study music before I use it. I’ll listen to it in the shower, while I cook, when I’m driving- until I understand the song inside and out. I also like to study the actual artist and the intricacies of their music, so I’m not just drawing from something at random. That way, it feels more like collaborating with that artist rather than just stealing their ideas. I like to build from a dope sample and blend it with others on top of any live instruments I may add.

Blind I: How do you describe your sound?

Kameleon: I’m a product of the 90s hip-hop jazz fusion-you know? The Tribe Called quest approach to making the sound that fuels the rapper. I like to make ‘thinking music’ not just a beat. Shit that’s a little more thought provoking and inspiring. I make music that you can play and just reflect. Some of it is smooth. Some of it is more complex. It really depends.

Blind I: Who are your major inspirations and influences?

Kameleon: I’d definitely have to say RZA, 4^th Disciple and really a lot of the early Wu Tang made an imprint on me. Ski Beatz, who produced a lot of old Camp Lo and Jay-Z was also key in shaping my approach to music. I think Dilla is a genius and I marvel at what he does but I didn’t pull that much from him to use for myself because he’s just THAT DUDE and I could never understand how his mind works. Both DJ Premiere and Large Professor are big influences too, but Preemo particularly, because he can take a beat and totally transform it camouflage the integrity of the original song.

Blind I: Who are your top 3 dream collabos?

Kameleon: First would have to be Marvin Gaye without a doubt. The way he built a song backwards and his mind was just ill. He laid all his background vocals down before he sang the lyrics so that’s just a testament to his vision and creativity. My second surprisingly would be Sting. He’s just so abstract and he’s collaborated across the board which makes him versatile. Third would be my favorite emcee, Nas. I don’t always agree with how his albums are put together fundamentally, but at the core he’s just solid.

Blind I: You’ve rapped for almost the entire decade you’ve produced. Are you done with that?

Kameleon: Absolutely done. I find it easier to express what’s on my mind through melody than words.

Blind I: You grew up in southern California but you’ve spent a bulk of your adulthood on the East Coast. How have those influences molded your sound?

Kameleon: I think transitioning from the West to the East definitely helped round out my sound. But when I lived in Cali, people said my music sounded like it came from back East and the same happened when I came over here. But I definitely represent the West Coast through my music. It’s mellow like I am but still intense.

Blind I: What role are you trying to play in music today?

Kameleon: I’m trying to make music for the demographic the industry has forgotten. Like the late 20s early 30s sector that relates to older Nas and Rakim. People tell me that when they hear my stuff it kind of takes them back to that era and moves their soul. I just want to be the portal to the days where rap was only played after 10 on some stations and people weren’t in music 100% for the money you know? Now there are so many artists that are empty pods. Like instant-artists; just add water. Through music, I’m trying to slow cook on the pot, not just add water. Nothing like a home cooked meal.

1. I Am Yours

2. Leaves on Branches

3. Leaving

4. Walk On

5. Leyte

6. Pacific Coast Highway

7. Essence

8. Keep On

9. Planets

10. Kingpin

11. Fire

12. Garfunkle

13. Carnival

14. Knight

15. Stella Artois

16. Strange Fruit

17. Beautiful

Indulge.

Listen to Kameleon’s music Here.

If we’ve piqued your interest and you want to hear more, check Kameleon out or contact him via his MySpace.

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BLIND I ARTIST OF THE MONTH: KAMELEON

In an era where many production styles recycle the same formula, it’s intriguing to hear a beat that you can’t quite categorize. Sometimes when you listen to a track, you can imagine a certain rapper or R & B artist placed over the song. But there are producers that the staff at Blind I enjoy like Flying Lotus and Daedelus that channel their innovation into a more obscure sound, that is distinguishable from your everyday beat on the ratio. This kind of abstract energy inspired Blind I to feature Kameleon, a producer from California that is flying right under the radar.

More and tracklisting after the jump. › Read More…

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NO KNOWS DOPE: AUGUST 2008

It’s time for your monthly dose of No Knows Dope. For those that have been with me since day one, You will know that there is a certain formula to the way I do it. For those that are new to this, let me get You familiar.

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NO KNOWS DOPE: THE WEST COAST EDITION

It’s been a long time… I shouldn’t have left you… without a NKD to step to!

Whattup Y’all!? It truly has been a minute since you had your BLIND I fix & We are more than ecstatic to be back in your daily lives!

Let’s just keep it trill. You ain’t had a NKD to download since March! & I truly apologize for that, but instead of giving you excuses as to “WHY?” , I’m just gonna keep it moving & continue the NKD series along with this here… WEST COAST EDITION!

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