Jazzmatazz, Vol. 1

1. Introduction - Guru

2. Loungin' - Donald Byrd, Guru

3. When You're Near - N'Dea Davenport, Guru

4. Transit Ride - Guru, Branford Marsalis

5. No Time to Play - Guru, Ronny Jordan, D.C. Lee

6. Down to the Backstreets - Guru, Lonnie Liston Smith

7. Respectful Dedications - Guru

8. Take a Look (At Yourself) - Roy Ayers, Guru

9. Trust Me - N'Dea Davenport, Guru

10. Slicker Than Most - Guru

11. Bien, Le Mal - Guru, MC Solaar

12. Sights in the City - Guru, Courtney Pine

Jazzmatazz, Vol. 1,Guru,Capitol,Hip-Hop,Jazz,Jazz-Rap,R&B,Rap & Hip-Hop

Average customer rating:

Bald Head Slick!

Great album

Jazz + Rap = Jazzmatazz (3.5 Stars)

Guru - Jazzmatazz, Vol. 1

Does not shine as bright as Gang Starr (sorry for the pun)...

Jazzmatazz, Vol. 1
Guru
Manufacturer: Virgin Records Us
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Jazz | Styles | Music
East Coast | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music
General | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music
Pop Rap | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music
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ASIN: B000003JBM
Release Date: 1993-05-18

Tracks:

Introduction
Loungin'
When You're Near
Transit Ride
No Time To Play
Down The Backstreets
Respectful Dedications
Take A Look (At Yourself)
Trust Me
Slicker Than Most
Le Bien, Le Mal
Sights In The City

Amazon.com essentials

After rhyming over Premier's doctored jazz beats in Gang Starr, Guru decided to take it to the next level, employing the talents of actual jazz musicians to create the grooves over which he would flow. Coming off like a jazzier extension of the Brand New Heavies' Heavy Rhyme Experience: Vol. 1, Jazzmatazz, Vol. 1 brought together a diverse group of jazz cats both old-school and new, including Roy Ayers, Donald Byrd, Lonnie Liston Smith, Ronny Jordan, and Courtney Pine. Guru even enlisted the serene pipes of Carleen Anderson and N'Dea Davenport and acted as something of an international hip-hop ambassador when he flipped "Le Bien, Le Mal" with French mic pro MC Solaar. From the Blue Note-style cover art to the hepcat spoken-word intro, this package is pure hip-hop jazz music. Jazz purists may wish to note that the grooves lean heavily toward the funkier 1970s era of jazz, and hardcore hip-hop heads my be turned off by the mellower musical stance. But then again, this is neither pure jazz nor hardcore hip-hop but rather an extension of the two. --Spence Abbott

Customer Reviews:

Bald Head Slick!.......2007-07-04

Any hardcore fan of Gang Starr should consider this essential. If not, then any fan of laid back hip hop will find this a nice find. Sure it isn't Premo but Guru definitely keeps the Gang Starr attitude kickin' on this smooth release. Just beware, this is certainly an album relegated for the bedroom or living room with a little cheeba use and not in your fly whip. It's very laid back but then again so was Gang Starr, right? If your favorite Gang Starr song is Discipline or Moment of Truth then you're good to go.

Great album.......2007-05-16

A mix of hip-hop vocals and jazzy instrumentals combine to form a beautiful album.

Jazz + Rap = Jazzmatazz (3.5 Stars).......2006-07-05

Guru decided to create an experimental hip-hop album with a mix of jazz to create Jazzmatazz Vol. 1. To me I thought it was going to be one of many rap with jazzy production albums that came out in the early 90's, but this was different.Instead this time, he picked up some jazz musicians and singers. The guests include" Roy Ayers, Donald Byrd, Ronny Jordan, N'Dea Davenport, Carleen Anderson, Courtney Pine, Lonnie Liston, and french known rapper MC Solar, amd many more.

Most of the tracks Guru rhymes while the jazz musicians play and sing, which mostly comes out well for the most part. His monotone voice sometimes blend in with the musical vibes on many storytelling vibe tracks like "Down The Backstreets" and the loud alto saxophone produced "Transit Ride". Another nice track is "No Time To Play" with DC Lee singing and Ronny Jordan on the guitars. Production wise is outstandig because it is somewhat live instruments, but not how you'll expect on something like any early Roots' albums or such.

Some tracks I disliked though toward the end of the abum. "Slicker Than Most" and "Le Bien, Le Mal" didn't appeal to me, probably because they changed the mood of the album, and it seemed to be more rapping than jazz making it unbalanced. Lyrically Guru comes off decent on some tracks, which isn't a big deal to many listeners becuase they're not paying attention to that. Other than that it is a very enjoyable album that suffers some flaws. If you like Hip Hop and Jazz, or if you have a taste for experemental music, I recommend this one to you.

Favorite Tracks: Loungin', Transit Ride, No Time To Play, Down The Backstreets, Trust Me, Sights In The City.

Guru - Jazzmatazz, Vol. 1.......2006-05-30

Guru (AKA Keith Elam,), Gang Starr's MC delivered his first in a series of Hip Hop Jazz related releases with "Jazzmatazz, Vol. 1" (1993). I respect Guru's willingness and drive to provide "An experimental fusion of Jazz and Hip Hop" (as stated on cd). Guru's name is short for "Gifted Unlimited Rhymes Universal". This twelve-track release (including intro and interlude) is an early notable Rap/Jazz collaboration album. Guru gets things started rhyming on the smooth "Loungin", while Donald Byrd plays the trumpet and piano. Guru collabs with female singer N'Dea Davenport on the semi-decent "When Your Near", and then takes his audience on a "Transit Ride", highlight of this cut for me is Branford Marsalis on the Sax. The chorus and rhymes to "No Time To Play" is a bit to repetitive for my liking. Guru with help from Lonnie Liston Smith on the electric piano provides a standout with "Down The Backstreets", Smith's piano play is outstanding, and Guru's rhymes are grimy. With help from Roy Ayers, Guru then drops "Take A Look" (At Yourself), a track which has Guru kicking knowledge, advising his audience to be accountable, and make moves rather then wait for them to happen. N'Dea Davenport returns for another half decent collaboration with Guru on "Trust Me". Guru reps himself on "Slicker then Most" then collabs with French MC Solaar for "La Bien, Le Mal". The album's closer and longest track is "Sights In The City", backed by a soprano sax and flute Guru drops some on point ghetto stories. I agree with reviewer Ziontrain about Guru not yet displaying the lyrical talent (with a few exceptions) that would be found on the Gang Starr albums. Guru for me will always be best remembered for his work with Premo. Bottom line though I have to admit it is hard for me to have the same reverence for "Jazzmatazz, Vol. 1" as Jazz/Rap collaboration enthusiasts. I recommend checking out this release if you enjoy experimental albums.

Does not shine as bright as Gang Starr (sorry for the pun)..........2006-05-16

I got this CD used based on some of the reviews on here. Don't trust them (except me, of course).

I really like Gang Starr. Guru is in Gang Starr. Guru makes a Jazzmatazz record. The next logical step would be for me to like this record, right? Wrong.

One of the problems I found with this album is the music. I don't see how this is a Jazz & Hip-Hop fusion. It sounds like a bad Hip-Hop record with samples of bad Jazz melodies - not new recordings with musicians. The Jazz portion doesn't feel like genuine Jazz. Furthermore, there are too many choruses and hooks. I felt like I was hearing too much of the same thing. Longer verses, musical breaks, anything else would have been better.

My advice: sample it before you purchase it. This is NOT a no-brainer pickup like the review score and the name on the album cover may lead you to believe.