Guru: Jazzmatazz Volume 1 Vinyl LP
$27.95
<p><i>Debut solo album from <a href="https://www.turntablelab.com/search?type=article%2Cpage%2Cproduct&q=Gang+Starr" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>Gang Starr</strong></a>'s Guru.</i> <i>Jazzmatazz Vol.1</i> was one of the first albums to draw a direction connection between hip hop and its jazz roots. <a title="guru gang starr" href="https://www.turntablelab.com/search?q=Guru+vinyl" target="_blank"><strong>Guru</strong></a> was able to enlist an all-star cast of jazz musicians including saxophonist <a title="Branford Marsalis" href="https://www.turntablelab.com/search?q=Branford+Marsalis" target="_blank"><strong>Branford Marsalis</strong></a>, trumpeter <a title="Donald Byrd" href="https://www.turntablelab.com/search?q=Donald+Byrd" target="_blank"><strong>Donald Byrd</strong></a>, vibraphonist <a title="Roy Ayers" href="https://www.turntablelab.com/search?q=Roy+Ayers" target="_blank"><strong>Roy Ayers</strong></a>, guitarist <a title="Ronny Jordan" href="https://www.turntablelab.com/search?q=Ronny+Jordan" target="_blank"><strong>Ronny Jordan</strong></a> and keyboardist <a title="Lonnie Liston Smith" href="https://www.turntablelab.com/search?q=Lonnie+Liston+Smith" target="_blank"><strong>Lonnie Liston Smith</strong></a>. <strong><a title="The Brand New Heavies" href="https://www.turntablelab.com/search?q=The+Brand+New+Heavies" target="_blank">The Brand New Heavies</a></strong>' <strong><a title="N'Dea Davenport" href="https://www.turntablelab.com/search?q=N%27Dea+Davenport" target="_blank">N'Dea Davenport</a></strong> and French rapper <a title="MC Solaar" href="https://www.turntablelab.com/search?q=MC+Solaar" target="_blank"><strong>MC Solaar</strong></a> contributed vocals as well. Fundamentally a hip hop album at its core, <i>Jazzmatazz Vol.1</i> is most distinct for the live instrumentation provided by jazz legends. This was a few years before <a title="The Roots" href="https://www.turntablelab.com/search?q=The+Roots" target="_blank"><strong>The Roots</strong></a> would have their first real breakthrough with <i><a title="Do You Want More" href="https://www.turntablelab.com/search?q=Do+You+Want+More%3F%21%21%21%3F%3F%21" target="_blank">Do You Want More?!!!??!</a></i> and two decades before <a title="Kendrick Lamar" href="https://www.turntablelab.com/search?q=Kendrick+Lamar" target="_blank"><strong>Kendrick Lamar's</strong></a> <a title="To Pimp A Butterfly Kendrick Lamar" href="https://www.turntablelab.com/search?q=To+Pimp+A+Butterfly" target="_blank"><i>To Pimp A Butterfly</i></a>. Yes, the rhymes can leave a little bit to be desired, but <strong>Guru</strong>'s slick, laidback presence on the mic is as cool as it was on <a href="https://www.turntablelab.com/search?type=product&q=Step+In+The+Arena" target="_blank"><em>Step In The Arena</em></a>, and <em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Jazzmatazz</span></em> succeeds as a trailblazing concept that paved the way for many other artists. Twelve tracks in all. Released by <a title="Virgin records" href="https://www.turntablelab.com/search?q=Virgin" target="_blank"><strong>Virgin</strong></a> on black vinyl housed in a full color sleeve.</p> <ul> <li>black vinyl pressing</li> <li>original release year: 1993</li> <li>music label: Virgin 2018</li> </ul> <h6>reviewed by Kool Moby 08/2016</h6>.