Guru: JazzMatazz 1 [Vinyl 1LP 180g]

Nu-Jazz/Acid jazz/Lounge Jazz
premiera polska: 2022-08-12
kontynent: Ameryka Północna
kraj: USA
opakowanie: Singlefoldowe etui
opis:
Editor's Info:
Guru's Jazzmatazz 1, originally released in 1993, is one of the first albums to combine a live jazz band with hip hop production and rapping. Guru had a vision and brought together a diverse group of jazz cats both old and new school; Lonnie Liston Smith, Branford Marsalis, Ronny Jordan, Donald Byrd and Roy Ayers and vocalists like Carleen Anderson, N'Dea Davenport (Brand New Heavies) and French rapper MC Solaar have cooperated on this classic album. Jazzmatazz proved to be a highly influential album and a huge commercial success.

180 gram audiophile vinyl
Deluxe sleeve printed on heavy cardboard with linen laminate finish
Ground-breaking hip hop and jazz album from the founding member of Gang Starr
Included in the list of best hip hop albums ever, by Hip Hop Golden Age
Featuring the singles “Trust Me”, “No Time To Play”, “Loungin”, “Sights In The City”
Black vinyl

All Music Guide
One of the first hip-hop records to successfully integrate jazz, Jazzmatazz, Vol. 1 is a surprising success for Guru. The rapper's warm grooves and laid-back rhymes fit in perfectly with the instrumental tracks provided by a cadre of jazz musicians. The way that the live playing is integrated on this album is different than the way it is done on, say, an Us3 record. On a few occasions, the instrumentalists provide the melodic hook of the song but, more often than not, they are relegated to noodling in the background while Guru raps. Needless to say, this meets with mixed results throughout. The Lonnie Liston Smith collaboration "Down the Backstreets" is a fine track, but the Donald Byrd and Roy Ayers partnerships sound busy and forced. Standout tracks include the two collaborations with Brand New Heavies singer N'dea Davenport. The jazz connection on these songs is minimal at best, but the well-produced tracks and Davenport's sultry voice are compelling on their own merits. As for Guru himself, some of his raps can only be described as awkward, and it is at these moments when the record is weakest. However, the overall vibe of the album is strong, and inane comments from the leader aside ("Jazz is real, and based on reality," Guru says in his introduction), Jazzmatazz, Vol. 1 is entertaining, almost despite itself.
by Daniel Gioffre

muzycy:
Branford Marsalis Saxophone
Ronny Jordan Guitar
Guru Arranger, Main Performer, Vocals, Mixing, Producer
MC Solaar Vocals
Carleen Anderson Vocals
Gary Barnacle Flute, saxophone
Zachary Breaux Guitar
Donald Byrd Piano, Trumpet
N'Dea Davenport Vocals
Simon "The Funky Ginger" Law Keyboards
D.C. Lee Vocals
Roy Ayers Vibraslap, Vibraphone
Courtney Pine Flute, Sax (Alto), Saxophone, Sax (Soprano)
Lonnie Liston Smith Piano, Keyboards, Piano (Electric)

utwory:
A1. Introduction
A2. Loungin'
A3. When You're Near
A4. Transit Ride
A5. No Time To Play
A6. Down the Backstreets
B1. Respectful Dedications
B2. Take a Look (At Yourself)
B3. Trust Me
B4. Slicker Than Most
B5. Le Bien, Le Mal
B6. Sights In the City

wydano: Aug 12, 2022 (1993)
nagrano: 1993