Guru’s solo debut project and one of the Hip Hop classic albums has officially been re-issued on vinyl.
The album which was among the first records that featured Hip Hop and jazz blends would remain one of the albums that had Gang Starr’s legacy well cemented in the Hip Hop music culture.
“Jazzmatazz Vol.1” is kind of an informative piece and a recollection of the historic relationship between jazz and hip hop. Guru is quoted by numerous publications describing the album as ‘a concept album’, that he wanted to take a step further and ‘feature the jazz musicians whose music was being heavily sampled around the time’.
The album features ultimate jazz cats like Lonnie Liston Smith, Branford Marsalis, Roy Ayers, and Donald Byrd. Other reputable features on the album included Carleen Anderson, Brand New Heavies’ N\’Dea Davenport Dee C Lee, and French rapper MC Solaar.
This is good news coming 23 years after the release of the album. The re-issue on vinyl is only available on Amoeba Music. So cop yours and celebrate the late rap legend’s insightful thoughts on rap.
Keith Edward Elam aka Gifted Unlimited Rhymes Universal (Guru) died on April 19, 2010 at 48 from cancer.
Here is Jazzmatazz Vol.1 track list:
1. Introduction
2. Loungin’
3. When You’re Near
4. Transit Ride
5. No Time To Play
6. Down The Backstreets
7. Respectful Dedications
8. Take A Look (At Yourself)
9. Trust Me
10. Slicker Than Most
11. Le Bien, Le Mal
12. Sights In The City