Jazzmatazz Vol. 1 I An Experimental Fusion Of Hip-Hop And JazzGenre: Hip hop, Jazz rap Release Date: May 18, 1993 Label: Virgin Producer: Guru Quality: 850* Size: 204 MB Duration: 44:00 Jazzmatazz, Vol. 1 is a jazz rap album by alternative hip hop artist Guru, released on May 18, 1993 (see 1993 in music) on Chrysalis Records. This album is one of the first albums to combine a live jazz band with hip hop production and rapping. It is the first such project to feature established rappers. Live backing is provided by a band that includes Lonnie Liston Smith, Branford Marsalis, Ronny Jordan, Donald Byrd and Roy Ayers. The album also features collaborations with N'Dea Davenport (of the Brand New Heavies) and French rapper MC Solaar.
Jazzmatazz, Vol. 1 peaked at #24 and #91 on Billboard's Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums and the Billboard 200 albums charts. The single "Trust Me" peaked at #50 on the Hot R&B/Hip Hop Singles & Tracks chart. In spite of the lagging American sales, Jazzmatazz, Vol. 1 was a commercial success in Europe, where jazz was much more popular in the 1990s.
Tracklist: 1. "Introduction" – 1:20 2. "Loungin'" (with Donald Byrd on trumpet and piano) – 4:38 3. "When You're Near" (with N'Dea Davenport on vocals and Simon Law on keyboards) – 4:02 4. "Transit Ride" (with Branford Marsalis on alto and soprano saxophone and Zachary Breaux on guitar) – 3:58 5. "No Time to Play" (with Ronny Jordan on guitar and D. C. Lee on vocals) – 4:54 6. "Down to the Backstreets" (with Lonnie Liston Smith on acoustic and electric piano) – 4:47 7. "Respectful Dedications" - :54 8. "Take a Look (At Yourself)" (with Roy Ayers on vibraphone) – 3:59 9. "Trust Me" (with N'Dea Davenport on vocals) – 4:27 10. "Slicker Than Most" (with Gary Barnacle on saxophone and flute) – 2:36 11. "Le Bien, Le Mal" (with MC Solaar) – 3:21 12. "Sights in the City" (with Courtney Pine on alto and soprano sax and flute, Carleen Anderson on vocals and Simon Law on keyboards) – 5:10
Jazzmatazz Vol. 2 The New RealityGenre: Jazz rap Release Date: July 18, 1995 Label: Chrysalis Producer: Guru, Ronny Jordan, Donald Byrd, DJ Premier, Nikke Nicole, Solsonics, Mark Sparks, True Master Quality: 800* Size: 314 MB Duration: 69:27 Jazzmatazz, Vol. 2: The New Reality, was the follow-up to the well-received Jazzmatazz, Vol. 1. This second release to the Jazzmatazz series toned down the jazz rap punch that made the first volume memorable. It was nevertheless critically acclaimed in its own right. Guests featured on this release include Kool Keith, Patra and Jamiroquai; other notable personalities which reprising their roles from the previous release include Branford Marsalis, Courtney Pine, and Ronny Jordan.
According to Billboard music charts, this album slightly outpeformed its predecessor; it peaked at #16 and #73 on Billboard's "Top R&B / Hip Hop Albums and "Billboard 200" albums charts respectively. The single, "Watch What You Say" (featuring Chaka Khan), peaked at #13 and #93 on the Billboard's "Hot Dance Music / Maxi-Singles" and "Hot R&B / Hip Hop Singles & Tracks" charts respectively.
Jazzmatazz, Vol. 2: The New Reality was released on July 18, 1995, via the Chrysalis imprint.
Tracklist: 1. "Intro [Light It Up] Jazzalud I" – 1:44 2. "Lifesaver" – 4:13 3. "Living in This World" – 4:29 4. "Looking Through Darkness" – 4:48 5. "Skit A [Interview] Watch What You Say" – 5:00 6. "Jazzalude II - Defining Purpose" – 1:02 7. "For You" – 4:10 8. "Insert A [Mental Relaxation] Medicine" – 4:19 9. "Lost Souls" – 4:12 10. "Insert B [The Real Deal] Nobody Knows" – 3:58 11. "Jazzalude III - Hip Hop As A Way Of Life" – 1:17 12. "Respect The Architect" – 4:51 13. "Feel the Music" – 3:57 14. "Young Ladies" – 4:12 15. "The Traveler" – 4:01 16. "Jazzalude IV - Maintaining Focus" – 1:18 17. "Count Your Blessings" – 4:02 18. "Choice Of Weapons" – 4:24 19. "Something in the Past" – 3:19 20. "Skit B [Alot On My Mind] Relevation" – 4:35
Jazzmatazz Vol. 3 StreetsoulGenre: Jazz rap Release Date: September 26, 2000 Label: Virgin Records Producer: Guru, Erykah Badu, Jay Dee, Victor Flowers, DJ Premier, The Neptunes, The Roots, Agallah Quality: 900* Size: 396 MB Duration: 62:13 As the title seems to suggest, this volume featured a blend of Soul with R&B. The decline in Jazz inflections that made Jazzmatazz, Vol. 1 popular continued on this release (the decline was already noticeable on Jazzmatazz, Vol. 2: The New Reality.) According to Billboard's music charts, any aspersions levied by music critics against the album had little (if any) impact on its performance in the marketplace. Streetsoul outperformed previous entries significantly; it peaked at #32 and #8 on the Billboard 200 and "Top R&B / Hip Hop Albums" charts respectively.
As with previous releases, a host of guest performers were featured on this recording. Most of the artists are stalwarts of the neo soul and R&B scene. First-time appearances in the series were made by several contemporary acts, including Amel Larrieux, Angie Stone, Bilal, Craig David, Donell Jones, Erykah Badu, and The Roots. Veterans featured on this release include Herbie Hancock and Isaac Hayes.
Tracklist: 1. "Intro" – 1:05 2. "Keep Your Worries" (featuring Angie Stone) – 4:58 3. "Hustlin' Daze" (featuring Donell Jones) – 4:46 4. "All I Said" (featuring Macy Gray and Pharrell) – 4:07 5. "Certified" (featuring Bilal and Jay Dee) – 4:40 6. "Plenty" (featuring Erykah Badu) – 4:38 7. "Lift Your Fist" (featuring The Roots) – 3:48 8. "Guidance" (featuring Amel Larrieux) – 4:06 9. "Interlude (Brooklyn Skit)" – 0:51 10. "Supa Love" (featuring Kelis) – 3:52 11. "No More" (featuring Craig David) – 4:03 12. "Where's My Ladies?" (featuring Big Shug) – 4:07 13. "Night Vision" (featuring Isaac Hayes) – 3:33 14. "Who's There?" (featuring Les Nubians) – 4:05 15. "Mashin' up da World" (featuring Prodigal Son and Junior Reid) – 5:20 16. "Timeless" (featuring Herbie Hancock) – 4:14
Jazzmatazz Vol. 4 The Hip-Hop Jazz Messenger: Back to the FutureGenre: Jazz rap Release Date: July 17, 2007 Label: 7 Grand Producer: Guru, Solar Quality: 850* Size: 352 MB Duration: 62:13 Jazzmatazz, Vol. 4: The Hip-Hop Jazz Messenger: Back To The Future is the fourth entry in the Jazzmatazz series from Guru of Gang Starr.
Tracklist: 1. "Cuz I'm Jazzy (feat. Slum Village)" 3:00 2. "State Of Clarity (feat. Common and Bob James)" 3:37 3. "Stand Up (Some Things'll Never Change) (feat. Damian Marley)" 3:42 4. "Look To The Sun" 3:29 5. "Connections (feat. Kem)" 3:34 6. "Fine and Free (feat. Vivian Green)" 3:27 7. "Wait On Me (feat. Raheem DeVaughn)" 3:07 8. "International (feat. Bobby Valentino)" 4:14 9. "This Is Art (feat. Ronnie Laws)" 2:23 10. "Fly Magnetic (feat. Dionne Farris)" 3:03 11. "The Jazz Style (feat. Omar)" 3:43 12. "Follow The Signs (feat. Shelley Harland)" 3:43 13. "Universal Struggle (feat. Brownman)" 3:34 14. "Infinite (feat. Blackalicious)" 3:13 15. "Kissed The World (feat. Caron Wheeler)" 3:43 16. "Living Legend (feat. David Sanborn)" 4:29
|