Jazzmatazz, Vol. 2: The New Reality
Track Listings
| 1. Light It Up [Intro]/New Reality Style [Jazzalude I] - Guru |
| 2. Lifesaver - Baybe, Guru |
| 3. Living in This World - Guru, J. Rodriguez, Sweet Sable |
| 4. Looking Through Darkness - Guru, Mica Paris |
| 5. Watch What You Say [Interview] - Guru, Chaka Khan, Branford Marsalis |
| 6. Defining Purpose [Jazzalude II] - Guru |
| 7. For You - Kenny Garrett, Guru, Me'Shell NdegéOcello |
| 8. Medicine [Mental Relaxation] - Guru, , |
| 9. Lost Souls - Guru |
| 10. Nobody Knows (The Real Deal) - Guru, Jan Kincaid, Shara Nelson |
| 11. Hip Hop as a Way of Life [Jazzalude III] - Guru |
| 12. Respect the Architect - Guru |
| 13. Feel the Music - Baybe, Paul Ferguson, Guru |
| 14. Young Ladies - Guru |
| 15. Traveler - Donald Byrd, Guru |
| 16. Maintaining Focus [Jazzalude IV] - Guru |
| 17. Count Your Blessings - Guru, Brian Holt, Bernard "Pretty" Purdie |
| 18. Choice of Weapons - Guru |
| 19. Something in the Past - Guru, Freddie Hubbard |
| 20. Revelation (Alot on My Mind) - Bu, Guru, Ronny Jordan |
Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
By the time Gang Starr's rapper Guru created the "experimental fusion of hip-hop and jazz" he called Jazzmatazz back in 1993, the idea of blending the two African-American styles had been fairly well explored. But as the first wholly self-conscious genremixing, Jazzmatazz Volume I was at least a decent novelty record. In the two Years that followed, however, jazz rap--from Digable Planets to Buckshot Lefonque to the Roots--grew into a dominant strain of alternative hip-hop.
The good news is that 1995's Jazzmatazz II acknowledges the changing times. Guru ups the ante by collecting artists from R&B (Chaka Khan, Mica Paris) and reggae (Ini Kamoze, Patra) in addition to jazz (Ramsey Lewis, Donald Byrd, Freddie Hubbard) and rap (Kool Keith, Big Shug). The concept broadens to bring together makers of all black music. At best, the songs reflect this more robust brew: "Watch What You Say," for instance, blends Khan's dynamic blue improvisational singing and Branford Marsalis's subdued saxophone phrases with Guru's rap and DJ Premier's unorthodox track of video game sound effects.
The bad news, though, is that Volume II fails in precisely the same places Volume I did. First, Guru still raps with fine tone but little gift for either rhythm or rhyme. In a monotone he self- righteously calls himself "The Lifesaver" but offers only vague solutions like "deal with reality and try to keep focus" to innercity turmoil. Second, except for Khan's vocals and perhaps Lewis' piano solo on "Respect the Architect," the style meshes never get a chance to rise out of the same tried hip-hop form. --Roni Sarig
Jazzmatazz, Vol. 2: The New Reality,Guru,Capitol,Hip-Hop,Jazz,Jazz-Rap,Pop
Jazzmatazz, Vol. 2: The New Reality
Average customer rating: 
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Jazzmatazz, Vol. 2: The New Reality
Guru Manufacturer: Virgin Records Us ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD  General
| Jazz
| Styles
| Music
General
| R&B
| Styles
| Music
General
| Soul
| R&B
| Styles
| Music
East Coast
| Rap & Hip-Hop
| Styles
| Music
General
| Rap & Hip-Hop
| Styles
| Music
Pop Rap
| Rap & Hip-Hop
| Styles
| Music
Similar Items:
ASIN: B000003JD7 Release Date: 1995-07-18 |
Tracks:
Amazon.com
By the time Gang Starr's rapper Guru created the "experimental fusion of hip-hop and jazz" he called Jazzmatazz back in 1993, the idea of blending the two African-American styles had been fairly well explored. But as the first wholly self-conscious genremixing, Jazzmatazz Volume I was at least a decent novelty record. In the two Years that followed, however, jazz rap--from Digable Planets to Buckshot Lefonque to the Roots--grew into a dominant strain of alternative hip-hop.The good news is that 1995's Jazzmatazz II acknowledges the changing times. Guru ups the ante by collecting artists from R&B (Chaka Khan, Mica Paris) and reggae (Ini Kamoze, Patra) in addition to jazz (Ramsey Lewis, Donald Byrd, Freddie Hubbard) and rap (Kool Keith, Big Shug). The concept broadens to bring together makers of all black music. At best, the songs reflect this more robust brew: "Watch What You Say," for instance, blends Khan's dynamic blue improvisational singing and Branford Marsalis's subdued saxophone phrases with Guru's rap and DJ Premier's unorthodox track of video game sound effects.
The bad news, though, is that Volume II fails in precisely the same places Volume I did. First, Guru still raps with fine tone but little gift for either rhythm or rhyme. In a monotone he self- righteously calls himself "The Lifesaver" but offers only vague solutions like "deal with reality and try to keep focus" to innercity turmoil. Second, except for Khan's vocals and perhaps Lewis' piano solo on "Respect the Architect," the style meshes never get a chance to rise out of the same tried hip-hop form. --Roni Sarig
Customer Reviews:
Rap + Jazz x 2= Jazmatazz Volume 2 (Rating: 8 out of 10- -4 stars).......2006-12-23
Good stuff to drive too.......2005-03-22
The second, and second-best, of the series.......2004-03-18
Jazzmatazz II is solid; not spectacular like the first one. It still has some jazz feel to it but not as much. It's more hip hop but it's still very chill and laidback.
I like the Jamiroquai song; funny to think that they were no-names back then before blowing up a few years later.
Very soulful, mellow, good late-nite listening.
Simply.......Awesome.......2002-12-18
The Fusion Continues.......2001-01-25
Soul Music:
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