Just Blaze Experiments with the Softer Sounds of Deep House

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Complex Original

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Producer Just Blaze is an icon in the New York hip-hop scene.  Having played an instrumental role in Jay-Z's solo career (he produced much of The Blueprint, The Blueprint 2, and The Black Album), Just Blaze has been a hot name, and for many a dream to work with.  Now with the convergence of hip-hop and electronic dance music, we're seeing cross collaborations coming from all over. These experiments in cross-pollination have been largely hit or miss, but with Just Blaze's foray into deep house it's only a hit.

The unfinished "Behold (Exhibit J)" explores the smooth and gliding feeling that deep house often gives.  Glimmering pianos, jazzified melodies and a driving four-to-the-floor house beat make this a groovy one. Deep house's roots in soul, jazz, and ambient styles give it a far different sonic palate than anything you'll hear on the radio and blogs, leaving the style in relative obscurity. While the scene itself is thriving around the world and in the underground (just check out Maya Jane Coles!), Just Blaze does the style justice and hopefully it represents just the beginning.

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UPDATE Dates for Just Blaze's tour with Baauer were posted by Fool's Gold, which you can see on Page 2...

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