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

BLIND I PRESENTS…BLIND I FOR THE WINTER

It’s been a while since we did a Blind I staff compilation. These are always a joy to put together, because  we all take our time hand-picking the music. Only the person who zips it up (in this case it was me) gets to listen to the compilation in its entirety before it gets posted so it remains a mystery for most of the staff until it’s complete. We definitely bring our different flavors and styles to Blind I for the Winter. There are some upbeat songs, but overall it has  a mellow, wintry vibe and you can keep it in heavy rotation through the cold months.  We’d love to hear how you feel about it. Thanks for rocking with us all of these years. We appreciate you and we’re grateful for you. Happy holidays. Tracks and links after the jump.

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Tags: AMY WINEHOUSE, B LEWIS, BLACK STAR, BLIND I, blu, Chaka Khan, DIGITAL UNDERGROUND, DONNY HATHAWAY, ELECTRIC JUNGLE, EPROM, Exile, GURU, INSIGHTFUL, JOHN LEE HOOKER, JOHNNY LYTLE, Kev Brown, KNXWLEDGE, LOCAL NOBODIES, MDCL, OSSIE, PYRAMIDS, RAHEL, SHAG, THESATISFACTION

MAIYA AND NO PRESENT…ALL THAT JAZZ VOL.2

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We appreciate all of you who download our individual compilations as well as our tag team joints. So 1nce again, Maiya & I tag teamed to bring the 2nd installment of our 3 part All That Jazz series. Tracklist & DL after the after. Partake, eNjOy & stay TUNEd.

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Tags: ART BLAKEY & THE JAZZ MESSENGERS, BOBBI HUMPHREY, CAL TJADER, CHICK COREA & RETURN TO FOREVER, DIZZY GILLESPIE, DJ 2-TONE JONES, DJ Jazzy Jeff, DONALD BYRD, DUKE JORDAN, GURU, HERBIE HANCOCK, HYPNOTIC BRASS EMSEMBLE, J DILLA, Jamie Cullum, John Coltrane, LONNIE LISTON SMITH, MADLIB, Method Man & Redman, MILES DAVIS, PONCHO SANCHEZ, QUASIMOTO, ROBERT GLASPER

GURU – COLLABOS AND RARITIES

As always we wanna remember those who are great. Without a doubt Guru is one of them. HipHop Is Read presents Collabos and Rarities Part 1. Its your ticket to what is and what was. This is definitely a must have for anyone who knows or wants to know anything about Guru. Get at it here. Tracklisting after the jay-jay.

DOWNLOAD [Hotfile]

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Tags: GURU, R.I.P GURU

TA’RAACH – LEMONADE [GURU MIX]

All City Records continues their excellent LA Producers 10″ Series this time featuring Detroit native, Ta’Raach, and Mochilla co-founder Coleman for their 9th edition.  The limited edition 10″ vinyl is out now and will be hitting digital outlets on March 15th.

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Today enjoy the free mp3 download from Ta’Raach for the track “Lemonade (Guru Mix)”. Many maybe familiar with Ta’Raach’s work with J Dilla on “Welcome to Detroit”, his work with Waajeed on the first Platinum Pied Pipers album, his collaborative album with Blu for the group C.R.A.C., and his various solo work including his album “The Fevers.”

TA’RAACH – LEMONADE [GURU MIX] | DOWNLOAD

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Tags: ALL CITY RECORDS, Beats, blu, C.R.A.C., GURU, J DILLA, PLATINUM, TA'RAACH, WAAJEED

VIDEO: DJ PREMIER VS. PETE ROCK

The homies over @ CLOUT just posted the entire footage (over 2 hours long) from Japans legendary battle between two of the most prolific producers/DJ’s in the hip hop history, the king of the boom bap; Premo & the chocolate boy wonder; Pete Rock. It’s on some more party rockin’ back n forth type schitt & not on some ‘nigga u aint shiiiiiet’… all love… all respecognition… all dope! Shout out to Aloha Served Daily.

Tags: C.L. Smooth, DJ PREMIER, Gangstarr, GURU, PETE ROCK

VIDEO: GURU – A VIDEO TRIBUTE

Guru’s nephew Justin Nicholas-Elam Ruff narrates this short but effective documentary/tribute to his uncle. Created & Produced by Matt Berdan. LONG LIVE GURU!!!

Tags: DJ PREMIER, Gangstarr, GURU, JAZZMATAZZ, JUSTIN NICHOLAS-ELAM RUFF, MATT BERDAN

MIGUEL ATWOOD-FERGUSON LIVE THIS FRIDAY [L.A. & FREE!!!]

On July 23, 2010, multi-intrumentalist/arranger/composer, Miguel Atwood-Ferguson brings his amazing 15 piece ensemble featuring ground-breaking artists Bilal, Flying Lotus, Chris “Daddy” Dave, and Stephen “Thundercat” Bruner to the the Grand Performances concert series at California Plaza in Downtown LA, 350 South Grand Ave..

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In addition to this fabulous event that I will be kicking myself in the ass for years to come because I was unable to be in L.A. is a playlist comprised of the songs that Miguel will be re-arranging on July 23rd 2010. DL & enjoy the beauty.

Find out who’s on the ensemble, where’s the show’s @ & grab the music after the after...

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Tags: Bilal, BUILD AN ARK, CHRIS "DADDY" DAVE, DJ PREMIER, DONNY HATHAWAY, FLYING LOTUS, Gang Starr, GURU, HERBIE HANCOCK, J DILLA, LEON WARE, MARY JANE GIRLS, Meshell N'degeocello, MICHAEL JACKSON, Miguel Atwood-Ferguson, STEPHEN "THUNDERCAT" BRUNER, V.S.O.P. the Quintet

GURU WRITES LETTER TO FANS???

AllHipHop.com posted this letter “written” by Guru in his last days. I dunno bout y’all, but this letter seems mad suspect to me. You be the judge…

I, Guru, am writing this letter to my fans, friends and loved ones around the world. I have had a long battle with cancer and have succumbed to the disease. I have suffered with this illness for over a year. I have exhausted all medical options.

I have a non-profit organization called Each One Counts dedicated to carrying on my charitable work on behalf of abused and disadvantaged children from around the world and also to educate and research a cure for this terrible disease that took my life. I write this with tears in my eyes, not of sorrow but of joy for what a wonderful life I have enjoyed and how many great people I have had the pleasure of meeting.

My loyal best friend, partner and brother, Solar, has been at my side through it all and has been made my health proxy by myself on all matters relating to myself. He has been with me by my side on my many hospital stays, operations, doctors visits and stayed with me at my home and cared for me when I could not care for myself. Solar and his family is my family and I love them dearly and I expect my family, friends, and fans to respect that, regardless to anybody’s feelings on the matter. It is my wish that counts. This being said I am survived by the love of my life, my sun KC, who I trust will be looked after by Solar and his family as their own. Any awards or tributes should be accepted, organized approved by Solar on behalf myself and my son until he is of age to except on his own.

I do not wish my ex-DJ to have anything to do with my name likeness, events tributes etc. connected in anyway to my situation including any use of my name or circumstance for any reason and I have instructed my lawyers to enforce this. I had nothing to do with him in life for over 7 years and want nothing to do with him in death. Solar has my life story and is well informed on my family situation, as well as the real reason for separating from my ex-DJ. As the sole founder of GangStarr, I am very proud of what GangStarr has meant to the music world and fans. I equally am proud of my Jazzmatazz series and as the father of Hip-Hop/Jazz. I am most proud of my leadership and pioneering efforts on Jazzmatazz 4 for reinvigorating the Hip-Hop/Jazz genre in a time when music quality has reached an all time low. Solar and I have toured in places that I have never been before with GangStarr or Jazzmatatazz and we gained a reputation for being the best on the planet at Hip-Hop/Jazz, as well as the biggest and most influential Hip-Hop/Jazz record with Jazzmatazz 4 of the decade to now. The work I have done with Solar represents a legacy far beyond its time. And we as a team were not afraid to push the envelope. To me this is what true artists do! As men of honor we stood tall in the face of small mindedness, greed, and ignorance. As we fought for music and integrity at the cost of not earning millions and for this I will always be happy and proud, and would like to thank the million fans who have seen us perform over the years from all over the world. The work I have done with Solar represents a legacy far beyond its time and is my most creative and experimental to date. I hope that our music will receive the attention it deserves as it is some of the best work I have done and represents some of the best years of my life.

Tags: GURU, MC SOLAR

R.I.P. GURU

This morning, many of us woke up to the sad news that Guru, (born Keith Elam) had lost his battle with cancer. Once we heard he’d been hospitalized and concerns surrounding his well being began to circulate, we hoped he’d persevere.While this is a major loss, and a void has been created, let’s  celebrate and reflect on his musical contributions.

He leaves behind a deep legacy: hard-hitting rhymes and  introspective anecdotes in his signature raspy tone. Guru and DJ Premier conjured up classics together  that will remain timeless and relevant.  The Roxbury native was a pioneer of sorts, successfully blending and introducing hip hop and jazz fans to one another through his Jazzmatazz projects. To date, Moment of Truth is one of my favorite albums. Pull out some Gang Starr today and acknowledge his amazing body of work. He’s also expressed the importance of the non-profit for children, Each One Counts, so check out the organization. Pop the hood for some classic videos.

Rest In Peace – Gifted Unlimited Rhymes Universal

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Tags: BLIND I, Gang Starr, GURU, R.I.P.

CLASSIC VIDEO OF THE DAY: GANG STARR – ROYALTY

This song was, is and will always be the truth. No time more appropriate than now to post this.

Tags: BLIND I, DJ PREMIER, Gang Starr, GURU