If you still haven’t heard any of James Blake, then you really need to open your eyes (and ears)! For me, he is a unique artist that has managed to open the eyes and ears to a wide audience. He has just recently released a new album that has a mixture of genres that really need to be listened with an open mind to be truly appreciated.

A cosy chit-chat between Cooly G, Mount Kimbie and James Blake backstage at the Impakt Festival 2009.

mes Blake has been announced in 2nd place for the Sound of 2011.

London producer James Blake sails into Sound Of 2011′s 2nd spot at the forefront of the emerging post-dubstep sub genre of UK club music. The Deptford based artist started singing and studying piano at the age of six, a tutorage which eventually led to Blake’s attendance of Goldsmiths University to study Popular Music. Early listening came in the form of his parent’s classical and jazz collections, in addition to US Soul and R ‘n’ B from the likes of Stevie Wonder, D’Angelo and Sly & The Family Stone. Blake’s love of electronic music came much later when the artist discovered dubstep duo Digital Mystikz a few months prior to his Goldsmiths enrolment.