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

BLAKROC & DD172….

As the recent publicity surrounding Mos Def, Jay Electronica and Curren$y’s collaborative-side-group Center Edge Territory reached a feverish pitch in the viral music world, questions arose around the studio where said collaboration and countless other secret musical rendezvous are rumored to have occurred. Alas, Mr. Damon Dash, a very familiar face in the trend-setting music mogul world has been behind it all, providing artists with the DD172 space in Tribeca. DD172 seems to be a new hot-spot for brainstorming sessions, musical vanguard, and almost certainly a long, raucous line of eager artists wanting in to create their own masterpieces. For this is how musicians work. We are historians at heart, purists of our art form, and suckers for atmospheres where our creativity can flow at ease. Dash and DD172 have recently partnered up with rock group The Black Keys and artists like Mos Def, Zoe Kravitz, Raekwon, ODB, RZA, Ludacris, Pharoahe Monch, Billy Danze of M.O.P., Om’Mas Keith of Sa-Ra, Tash and more, to create the BlakRoc project, of which we recently posted a video clip on the site. Chicago-bred video mavens Coodie & Chike have spearheaded the coverage of the project as well as Creative Control. Pretty much a creative mash of great proportions! We’ll see what fruitful creations come from this space in the future, but one thing is presently sure: the future is bright for ideas of this magnitude, and I hope it spurs more individuals to create workspaces and projects similar to this one. Great music!

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WU-TANG MEETS THE INDIE CULTURE VOL.2 – ENTER THE DUBSTEP

Have I been sleeping under a rock for the last few weeks? Holy crap! The Wu and Dubstep. This should be interesting.

Out November 10th.

RZA & Lord Jamar- Deep Space (Jay Da Flex & Yoof Remix) 

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Icewater, Method Man, U-God & Prodigal Sunn –  Love Don’t Cost (A Thing) 

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THEO MARTINS – GOODWILL HUNTING (RZA 94)

New music from Rhode Island’s Theo Martins, produced by $port. This one’s called “Goodwill Hunting” and it’s a banger! Indulge!

Theo Martins – Goodwill Hunting (RZA 94)

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Download Theo Martins – Goodwill Hunting (RZA 94) (Sharebee)

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ENTER THE 37TH CHAMBER

Listen to this…

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Now peep this…

The world moves faster than ever these days, and even in the digital age, things can always be counted on to go in cycles.  Despite all of the advances in computer recording technology, home studios, and electronic instruments, there is a flourishing interest in analog recording techniques and in recreating the mood and sound of vintage soul records.  With one foot in the past but their eyes firmly set on the future, El Michels Affair are among the leaders of a resurgent funk & soul movement from New York City that’s sweeping both the music community and the charts.

Led by saxophonist/organist Leon Michels and producer/engineer Jeff Silverman, El Michels Affair began as a loose collaboration of session musicians (including members of top-selling acts Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings, The Budos Band, and Antibalas) that looked to blend some of the vibrant quality of soundtrack records with the recording aesthetic of early reggae, and the rawness of 60’s rock–they called it ‘Cinematic Soul.’  This delicate balance was evident on their 2005 debut album Sounding Out the City, which earned critical acclaim and acted as the inaugural full-length release for Michels and Silverman’s burgeoning label Truth & Soul (also the moniker for the duo as a production team).
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DERT x BJORK = NEW SCHITT COMING FOR DAT AZZ!!

Blind I fave, DERT has done it again! If you recall his last beat tape Dert Floyd – The Westside Of The Moon (inspired by Pink Floyd) then you will NOT be disappointed with his latest beat tape installment entitled Talk Strange (inspired by Bjork). Remember RZA’s line about …”talk strange like Bjork” ? well… yeah… there’s the title! For those who are familiar with Bjork & those who produce, You know how it’s not the easiest task of chopping up some Bjork or let alone doing it justice. Dert is able to do just that and more on this project. $ & I have been blessed to hear this project prior to it’s scheduled release for New Years Day (Janurary 1st 2009)

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BILL MUTHAFUCKIN MURRAY!

One of the best scenes in movie history IMO. Wu Tang’s RZA & GZA encounter Bill Murrary hiding out as a waiter in a dinner. If you have yet to see the film Coffee & Cigarettes (2003), I highly recommend you Netflix it now!

eNjOy!

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VIDEO: RZA – DRAMA

Off Digi Snacks. The Abbott speaks. You better listen. Suckassssss….

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CELEBRITIES AND TECHNOLOGY YOU MAY NOT KNOW ABOUT

Isn’t it interesting that Hammer had started his own website that acts as an online encyclopedia for dancing. DanceJam.com.  Did you also know that Will Farrell is a co-founder of www.funnyordie.com.  It seems that with the advent of rappers to actors and actors to rappers, being into some type of technology is the next best thing. Being that I sit in the middle of the silly-con valley and am up on all that technology type stuff. I thought maybe it would be interesting to bust out a few more celebrities that have tried the website startup thing. From 50 cent to Ashton Kutcher lets see who really knows wassup…

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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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