Guru: Jazzmatazz Volume 1 Vinyl LP

Debut solo album from Gang Starr‘s Guru. Jazzmatazz Vol.1 was one of the first albums todraw a direction connection between hip hop and its jazz roots. Guru was able to enlist an all-star cast of jazz musicians including saxophonist Branford Marsalis, trumpeter Donald Byrd, vibraphonist Roy Ayers, guitarist Ronny Jordanand keyboardist Lonnie Liston Smith. The Brand New Heavies‘ N’Dea Davenport and French rapper MC Solaar contributed vocals as well. Fundamentally a hip hop album at its core, Jazzmatazz Vol.1 is most distinct for the live instrumentation provided by jazz legends. This was a few years before The Roots would have their first real breakthrough with Do You Want More?!!!??!andtwo decades before Kendrick Lamar’s To Pimp A Butterfly. Yes, the rhymes can leave a little bit to be desired, but Guru‘s slick, laidback presence on the mic is as cool as it was on Step In The Arena, andJazzmatazz succeeds as a trailblazing concept thatpaved the way for many other artists. Twelve tracks in all. Released by Virgin on black vinyl housed in a full color sleeve.

• black vinyl pressing
• original release year: 1993
• music label: Virgin 2018

reviewed by Kool Moby 08/2016

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