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

FAT BEATS IN-STORE PERFORMANCE SCHEDULES

Once we all got word that Fat Beats would be closing down nationally, there were definitely mixed emotions about the vinyl staple ending its run. However, Fat Beats has big plans to go out with a bang by hosting a series of in-store performances at its NY and Los Angeles Locations. See below for details:

(August 30, 2010 – Brooklyn, NY) After announcing the closing of their New York and Los Angeles locations, Fat Beats is excited to present a send-off worthy of their hip-hop legacy. A week-long series of in-store performances and music industry panels at both stores will allow the music community to not only learn about the history of Fat Beats and what the future of the music industry holds, but to also celebrate the legacy of one of the strongest music brands in the company of their favorite artists. These week-long in-stores are sure to go down in hip-hop and New York history. Everyone is welcome to come and all events are free.

Today marks the official start of the week-long in-stores for the New York location. This location will host artist perfomances every day this week from 4-9pm until it closes its doors for the final time on Saturday, September 4th, 2010. Additionally, both locations will be selling limited edition commemorative t-shirts, as well as discounted music and merchandise

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SHAD – YAA I GET IT (ODDISEE REMIX)

I was sleep on Shad! Then again, putting Oddisee production under anything pretty much serves as musical no-doze. This remix of Shad’s “Yaa I Get It” is super soulful and absolutely deserves to be on Blind I. Check out the stream and then after you geek out like I did, indulge thine self! Canada’s got bars, son.

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COULTRAIN-GODMUSTBEABOOGIEMAN EP

So many impressive hip hop projects have been released this year, but I’ve been secretly hoping more R&B would arrive in my inbox. Then St. Louis native, Coultrain, aka. Seymour Liberty answered my call with the EP GodMustBeABoogieMan. It’s Coultrain at his finest; soulful voice echoing through the speakers, making each track feel like a summer lullaby.  He collaborated with Black Spade, Teeko, J1 and others. The tracklist, artwork and all of the goodness is contained in the zip. Partake!

DOWNLOAD COULTRAIN-GODMUSTBEABOOGIEMAN [MEDIAFIRE]

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KUTMAH – MASTER BLAZTER MIX

Whatever “clever” name writers want to call it (chillwave?) it’s FUNK, and this mix by L.A. illustrious Kutmah showcases the best of today’s modern practitioners of the form. Master Blazter (Computer Jay, J1, Dam Funk) is here to show you the next step in the Funk-o-sphere.

Download the Blast Off mix here on Soundcloud.

It’s Saturday y’all!

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DAM FUNK-THE FUTURE SOUND OF MODERN FUNK

Here’s a new mix from L.A. producer Dam Funk for BBC Radio’s Mary Anne Hobbs. The Future Sound of Modern Funk contains exclusives and gems from artists and producers like Devonwho Electric Wire Hustle, Teeko, B. Bravo and of course, Dam Funk.  Unfortunately, the mix was too big to stream here, but trust our judgment. We’re Blind I! Link and tracks after the jump.

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MAIYA PRESENTS…ELECTRICITY VOL. 2

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Hey hey! Since last month’s go round, summer has officially started and I’m feeling great. The weather is warmer, opportunities are blooming and we all have a lot to look forward to. I’m a city girl (NYC to exact) and for the first volume, I included songs with  good energy that reminded me of the pulse the metropolis exudes. This version is a little smoother, but somehow it puts me in the mindset of all the lights and the action. Making these is really abstract process, so it’s better to let you play it than explain it. Y’all know my formula by now. Enjoy. Everything you need is after the jump.

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LEELA JAMES

When Leela James was growing up in Los Angeles, she would browse her father’s vast record collection—full of classics. It was Al Green’s raspy vocals in particular that struck a chord with her and she began to sing along to “Have a Good Time” and “Let’s Get Married.” Naturally talented, singing came easily for James who discovered her niche in Southern California, playing in local clubs and parties. After landing a deal with Ruff Nation/Warner In 2005, she released her debut, A Change is Gonna Come, which was heavily influenced by soul music from the 60s and 70s. Her album charted well, with contributions from Kanye West and Raphael Saadiq.  But as a newcomer to the music scene, the label was trying to figure out how to package the songstress into an artist that was easily received by the R&B community. Nearly five years later, Leela James found a new home with the iconic Stax Records and she’s doing it her way this time on My Soul. Blind I chatted with James about the shifting dynamics in the soul genre, the stereotypes and most importantly the groove of her new project.  Continue reading to find out how you can win a copy of her new CD.

Blind I: You’ve always been into music since you were young, but at what point did you start to take singing seriously?

Leela James: I got into it a bit later on around high school and college. I put my own band together and started to play in various clubs—wherever I could and as much as I could. I even took my student loans and paid for the band and from there I just developed and underground following and word of mouth spread. And I gave my demo to everybody that was anybody and it eventually landed in the right hands.

Blind I: Hearing about that big moment is always great. How’d you get discovered?

LJ: I got a call like, ‘Can you come down to this spot? So-and-so might want to meet you.”’  And it just came from me doing shows, and a record exec named Chris Schwartz signed me to Ruff Nation. He was the former president of Ruffhouse who signed the Fugees. He was like, ‘I love you and I love what you do,’ and that’s just how it went down!

Blind I: Last year you released a covers album, Let’s Do It Again. How did you decide on artists like Curtis Mayfield and George Clinton, and did you get any feedback from anyone?

LJ: The reason why I did the project was because I wanted to do a tribute album honoring all of those artists. I always wanted to do a covers album with my live band. I just picked songs that I liked. We only had a week to get everything done. So I went with songs we could turn around quickly and artists that I thought deserved that re-introduction of their music and their shine. I didn’t personally get it but I got feedback from other people that some of the artists were satisfied—so that’s a good thing!

Blind I:  You’re now at Stax. Is there a degree of pressure being a young singer on a label with such deep roots or is there a motivating and inspiring energy?

LJ: I’m so glad to be there because for me to be a soul artist, a true soul singer, to be signed to a legendary soul label, it just makes sense. It’s a better fit. You still need to do a whole lot on your own but having the right label it’s just an additional hand. And if they support you and get behind you it’s a bit more of a machine. Because you still have to do everything these days whether you’re indie or not. It’s all a grind.

Blind I: So you’ve got a new label and album now. How has your sound changed on My Soul?

LJ: It hasn’t really changed too much.  I’m still soulful but if anything it’s fresher and a little older because I’m older. But it’s a little more hip-hop edge to it combined with my rhythm and my blues. And that’s what I would have done with my first project, but it was like a tug of war. But I’m very comfortable with myself and I’m cool with the variety and everything that was done on this album.

Blind I:  You obviously have more creative control now. Before, were they trying to steer you in a pop direction?

LJ: Most labels have an idea of what they think a soul artist is. And sometimes it’s off. People have an idea of what neo-soul is and I’m not really that. I’m just a soul singer. So they think you know that everything has to be slow or be sung a certain way.

Blind I: Definitely. What do you think are some of the biggest assumptions or stereotypes about soul singers today?

LJ: It’s like because I wear my hair natural in an afro, they think you’re supposed to think everything is deep, burn incense all the time. Spitting out poetic lines. Your blackness is not defined by how you wear your hair or the poetry you read. I’m very much aware of things that are going on but I’m your ordinary chick. I like the same things as the next person. Either you’re just funky and you got soul or you don’t!

Blind I:  Very true. R&B is in a different place these days. A lot of the music has more of a club/party vibe and there are a lot less ballads and live instrumentation. What’s your take on that?

LJ: I think it definitely could be more of a variety. There are so many artists out there and I’d love to hear a lot of them and just to allow them to get that exposure as opposed to the same few being over-saturated. Then people think one or two artists represent the entire genre.

Blind I: you’re new video is pretty sexy. Tell me about the concept and how it ties into your new album?

LJ: I worked with Billie Woodruff the director and basically we wanted to do a classic black and white type of vibe with the song because it sounds classic and throwback. But at the same time, we wanted to do the video to basically say tell me you love all of me. Every aspect. It was a lot of fun to shoot.

Blind I:  So now you get a second chance at establishing your identity musically. If each of your albums represented as stage in your life, where does My Soul fit in?

LJ: I’m just comfortable in the sense that the first go round I was kind of like new kid on the block. So now I’m a little more comfortable in the skin that I’m in. And it’s a great time in general, I just co-hosted BET’s new series My Black is Beautiful with Alicia Renee and Kim Coles. It was fun. And I’m touring and just anticipating everyone hearing this album. I can’t wait for you to hear it.

If you’re new to Leela James or you’re a longtime fan, send an email to Maiya@blindiforthekids.com stating why you need her new album in your life. We will notify the winner on May 25 the day of her official release. Please include your address.

And check out the new video for her single “Tell Me You Love Me”

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ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: LEELA JAMES

When Leela James was growing up in Los Angeles, she would browse her father’s vast record collection—full of classics. It was Al Green’s raspy vocals in particular that struck a chord with her and she began to sing along to “Have a Good Time” and “Let’s Get Married.” Naturally talented, singing came easily for James who discovered her niche in Southern California, playing in local clubs and parties. After landing a deal with Ruff Nation/Warner In 2005, she released her debut, A Change is Gonna Come, which was heavily influenced by soul music from the 60s and 70s. Her album charted well, with contributions from Kanye West and Raphael Saadiq.  But as a newcomer to the music scene, the label was trying to figure out how to package the songstress into an artist that was easily received by the R&B community. Nearly five years later, Leela James found a new home with the iconic Stax Records and she’s doing it her way this time on My Soul. Blind I chatted with James about the shifting dynamics in the soul genre, the stereotypes and most importantly the groove of her new project.  Continue on to find out how you can win a copy of her new CD.

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DROPPED BY Maiya

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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TEEKO | MAX KANE [4ONEFUNK/F.A.M.E.]

Jedi Respecognition to J1 (aka The Deer) for calling on our brethren; Fresh Analog Musical Experience’s own Max Kane & Teeko by way of the 4OneFunk! The doodes did this super super super dope mix for Beats+Crates including heaters from our brothers Black Spade, Coultrain, DaVinci, Nemo, Vinroc, our sisters JimiJames, Georgia Anne Muldrow, our doodes Madlib, Spinna & Sasac just to name a few. Teeko & Max stay grinding tho I swear… I have no idea how they found the time to do this schitt when they forever locked away @ The Sanctuary (shout out to my doode MugPush)

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Peep & Get. TL & all that after the after…

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