"The Cities' second best-known instrumental hip-hop band, the Blend, shows off the free-flowing energy of its live shows on a new nine-track EP, "Losing the Game." The disc has a live-in-the-studio sound that sets the quintet apart. MC/singer Toussaint Morrison also stands out in such tracks as the muscle-car rocker "Special Deluxe" and the love-hurts howler "Anarchy's for Lovers.""
-Chris Reimenschneider (Star Tribune)
"There are also plenty of hip-hop acts in the twin towns these days, but the Blend stands out thanks to the piano-heavy live instrumentation that backs rapper Toussaint Morrison, who got his start on the poetry slam circuit. The Blend debuts a sharp, new nine-song disc, "Losing the Game,""
-Ross Raihala (Pioneer Press)
"When it was finally The Blend's turn to play, the first man to climb to the stage was a bassist in a Metallica jersey, leading me to question if I was in the correct place (for me, usually Metallica shirts are a pretty good indicator that I took a wrong turn somewhere). But no, this was the right band. So, I settled in and prepared for the hip hop equivalent of "Enter Sandman." Luckily though, this was not to be. While The Blend features some diverse musical backgrounds converging (Metal, Jazz, Rap) the result is much better than many of the others whom have tried for a similar meld (Limp Bizkit, N.E.R.D., etc.). Where other rap-rock acts seem to borrow the worst parts of each genre, The Blend marries intelligent, lyrical poetry with a backing band that are actually good at playing their instruments. "
-Jon Behm (culturebully.com)
"...when on stage, they click."
-Minnesota Daily
"The Blend has powerful lyrics with equally powerful music to ensure the crowd gathered...felt the same way those on stage felt." & "...The Blend was able to convince the audience to move their hands from their pockets into the air."
-MTU Lode
Losing The Game
The release of Losing the Game was met with critical acclaim, being heralded a "musical accomplishment of immense proportions". This EP launches nine works, travelling full circle on each track with honest and carefully chosen words. The unreserved delivery of lyrics and sound have elevated this arrangement to the heights of a how-to crash course in skillfully thrashing poetry, audiences have described as "a listening experience better related to a mastered Broadway production". Losing the Game is the band’s most significant step away from its hip-hop roots.
Last Piece of a Broken Cause
An EP, packed with four heavy numbers poscripting grips with Minneapolis, touring in their shortbus "Double Bogey", and a what-not-to-do seminar when showing up to a party unannounced. The tirade of sound and hardest working emcee in his apartment, strike again in this dynamic badass set of four doses.
After What Came Before
Introducing The Blend's first step into the realms of a defineless genre, with an overwhelming sound that somehow finds a way to make a prison break on each track. With socially conscious lyrics that pick locks to the listener's brain, this album waists no time in outright demanding your attention and present thought. As much as it makes your head bob and body pulse to its undeniable stone cold rhythms and addicting beats, the message and literature of this work is one that dares you to think.
Founded by national slam poet/coffeehouse haunt Toussaint Morrison, The Blend is a five-piece concoction of working-class ruffians who infuse hip-hop with jazz, rock with Bach, and politics with pleasure. (And some punky blues thrown in to keep the devils at bay.) The result? A slow-roasted, genre-defying blend of musical influences more restive than a triple shot of espresso. Call it hip-hop, call it slam-dance poetry, call it whatever you want-- just don’t call it emo. (Seriously. Don’t.) Weaving veracious lyrics through billows of gorgeous noise, the Blend has been deemedv worthy enough to appear with the likes of Atmosphere, Saliva, Story of the Year, Mike Jones, P.O.S, and Brother Ali. This should come as no surprise, as The Blend is one of the most talented bands in the country, according to their mothers. Their ever-widening fan base and nationwide network of co-conspirators is a testament to their immense stage presence, compelling sound, and perverse willingness to traverse the country in a deteriorating mini-bus that gets 8 miles a gallon downhill. Despite receiving press from (The) USA Today, The Blend has yet to be discovered by the arbiters of musical taste. (Hint, hint.)
