If it’s Dilla- or Danny Brown-related you can almost guarantee it will be posted by me. New visuals to set the stage for the digital release of this track and another one featuring Guilty Simpson, Big Tone and Finale dropping May 25th on OfficialJDilla.com.

ATCQ/Lucy Pearl’s Ali Shaheed Muhammad sits down with the Red Bull Music Academyt to drop gems as a part of the Boombox’s 5th annual celebration of the life and music of J Dilla in Los Angeles and hosted by Cognito from Frolab.

I was hoping the cover would be complete in time for me to post this on Dilla’s birthday. But, I’m glad that we waited a little bit because it allowed me listen to the songs a few more times, and make some last-minute tweaks.  I’ve decided to theme my Rendezvous mixes this year in order to challenge myself and take them to the next level. It’s February, so doing a tribute to one of my favorite producers and a true visionary was the first thing that came to mind.  Most people who visit Blind I are avid collectors of Dilla’s material, so there are probably no songs that we’ve left out over the years (see: No’s Dilla Vol. 1 and 2). So instead, I pulled together some of my favorites; group and solo material, original samples and music from unrelated artists that give me similarly warm vibes. I hope you enjoy. And while we’re all sharing material it’s important to remember that Dilla has a foundation. I made a donation a few weeks back, and I encourage you all to do the same: http://jdillafoundation.org/. No amount is too small. Supporting our youth and keeping music programs alive is our collective responsibility.
RIP James Dewitt Yancey.

MAIYA PRESENTS RENDEZVOUS: THE DILLA EDITION [DOWNLOAD]

Our good homie Waajeed recently relaunched his Bling47.com site & it’s better, faster, stronger, fresher! We encourage all of you to add it to your bookmarks or homepage it if you havn’t already!

Bling47 Breaks takes you on a journey into samples used by J Dilla.  This original series is directed, filmed and edited by Waajeed himself. The 3^rd episode features him speaking about samples used in, “Featuring Phat Kat” from the BBE release, “Welcome To Detroit”. “This time marks an important phase in the relationship of our crew.  When the opportunity for a solo project came from Peter of BBE – it was another crack in the widening gap between Dilla and Slum Village.  J took the leap and made one of his most comprehensive projects to date.  “Featuring Phat Kat” is just one of the many hidden jewels on the album that would become, “Welcome 2 Detroit.”

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.

MAIYA PRESENTS RENDEZVOUS VOL.15 [DOWNLOAD]

Download audio file (10-Jazz-Cats-Pt.-1.mp3)
 

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.

MAIYA AND NO PRESENT…ALL THAT JAZZ VOL.2 | DOWNLOAD

This Friday June 3rd @ SOM in San Francisco, CA witness, Braza! as they will be taking a faithful crowd on a musical trip around Brasil to explore the rhythms and sounds of Samba, Funk, Batucada, MPB, Broken Beat, Tropicália, Hip Hop, Forró, House, Boogie, Soul, Drum ‘n’ Bass, Disco, Jazz, Bossa Nova, and so much more this great country has to offer. Hit the jump for more deets & don’t sleep!

Whether it’s Kento playing his recent finds from a Brasilian family visit or Vanka and Elan playing the contemporary rhythms of Baile Funk and Brasilian house you’re guaranteed to see groups of Brazilian transplants moving and socializing. But what gives Braza its lively reputation and charm is the addition of live Brasilian percussion players, iconic Brasilian images being projected onto SOM’s wall, and even food carts serving up native delights. The party achieves the difficult task of not only bringing the sights, sounds, and tastes of Brasil but most importantly a spirit that usually can only be found 6,476 miles away.

Braza! vs. Brasilintime
feat. B+ and Eric Coleman
Friday, June 3, 2011 @ SOM SF
Special Guest:
B+ and Eric Coleman (Mochilla, LA)

Resident DJs:
Kento
Vanka
Elan

Hosted by Antonio Guedes

Visuals by Caasi

mochilla.com
facebook.com/?brazasf
myspace.com/?brazasf
som-bar.com??Music

Music & video clips taken from Obrigado Dilla – A tribute to Dilla at the Brasilintime premiere show at SESC Pompeii in Sao Paulo.

On Thursday, June 2nd, 2011, Peek Gallery in association with Noise Pop proudly presents an exclusive photo gallery IF IT FITS IN THE BACKPACK…10 Years On the Road with MOCHILLA. Between B+ and Coleman, Mochilla’s co-founders, the two have photographed some of music’s biggest icons, including Eminem, Lauryn Hill, Black Eyed Peas, DJ Shadow, MF Doom, Dilated Peoples, Blackalicious, David Axelrod, Mulatu Astatke, J.Dilla, EPMD, Snoop Dogg, Black Star (Mos Def & Talib Kweli), Damian Marley, Nas, A Tribe Called Quest, Madlib, Jay Electronica, and many others. Outside of their photography work, Mochilla developed into a full service production company, producing 3 groundbreaking music films which include KEEPINTIME, BRASILINTIME, and TIMELESS, all exploring the connection between Jazz/Soul/Funk/Brasilian music and the latter generation of DJs and producers who were so influenced by the previous generation’s music and aesthetic. Recent video projects include Eric Coleman’s video work w/ Jay Electronica in South Africa; B+’s travels w/ Nas & Damian Marley in Jamaica; an interview with the legendary Jose Maria “Curro” Fuentes (producer of some of Colombia’s most important musicians and orchestras on his own Discos Curro imprint); and their combined work on Banksy’s film, “Exit Through The Gift Shop.”

The June 2nd, 2011 grand opening of IF IT FITS IN THE BACKPACK…10 Years On the Road with MOCHILLA will feature work made under the Mochilla aegis over the last 10 years, showcasing their cultural imprint on music from all over the world and their brilliant execution as photographers and videographers.

The photography and films of
B+ and ERIC COLEMAN (MOCHILLA)

Exhibition Dates:
June 2 – June 30, 2011

Opening Reception:
Thursday, June 2, 2011, 7-11pm
Exclusive film screening with Q&A starts 7pm / Special Guest DJs
(films featuring Damian Marley, Nas, Jay Electronica, Quantic, J Dilla)
@ Peek Gallery at The Summit, 780 Valencia St., San Francisco

thesummit-sf.com
mochilla.com
noisepop.com

On August 13th Brooklyn based experimental two piece Live Footage headed on a full fledged celebration by locking themselves up inside The Creamery Studios in Brooklyn, NY. The result is their free upcoming EP titled “Live Footage Plays Jay Dee.”  Live Footage releases a video for “Lightworks” off of Live Footage’s upcoming free EP to be released by ORISUE, a celebration of J Dilla’s life and music, “Live Footage Plays Jay Dee.”

The release party for the album takes place April 24th at Mercury Lounge in NYC. Live Footage will be playing and jamming all of the Dilla covers that make up the tribute album. Live Footage hit’s the stage at 10:30. More information on the party after the jump.

Last Monday, April 11th at 10:43AM, my daughter Ajané arrived into the world. It was the most beautifulest thing in the world without a doubt. Being “on call” for the whole month of March & April kinda put a roadblock in my head as to what ‘theme’ I wanted to execute for Aprils NKD & as I pondered the thoughts I lowkey was already playing the soundtrack & not even knowing it. Playing songs that I felt related to what I was going through or have gone through or what I want to achieve as a man & as a father to my children. About a week before the 15th (sorry for the delay… been busy changing diapers n schitt. pun.) I finally decided to dedicate this months NKD to the babies. The children. The kids! But no… not on some Yo Gabba Gabba or Kids Sing Along schitt… naw… on some grown folks – grown biz – type of musical growth if you will. Whether you are a mother or a father, raising your sons or daughters, this edition goes harder to marauder & slaughter any biologicals that don’t bother. I breaks water! hahaha Naw pho trill tho… I’m on Cloud 9000 & 99! Blind I For The Kids… literally.

TL & DL after…

NO KNOWS DOPE | NO KNOWS BABIES | APRIL 20XI | DOWNLOAD