Released May 18, 1993 Jazzmatazz Vol. 1
(1993) Hard to Earn
(1994) Release date 18 May 1993 Label Chrysalis Records | Length 44:17 Artists Guru, Bald Head Slick Producer Guru Genres Hip hop music, Jazz rap | |
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Recorded 1992-1993
D&D Studios, New York, New York & EMI Music Studios, London Similar Guru albums, Hip hop music albums | ||
Guru's Jazzmatazz, Vol. 1 is the debut solo studio album by American hip hop recording 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 vocal collaborations with Carleen Anderson, N'Dea Davenport (of the Brand New Heavies) Dee C Lee and French rapper MC Solaar. The variety of guest artists adds diversity and originality to each track, and gives the album a distinct jazz feel.
Contents
Guru, quoted in the album's liner notes, talked about his natural affinity for both jazz and rap. "Jazz's mellow tracks, along with the hard rap beat, go hand-in-glove with my voice," he said.
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.
Track listing
- "Introduction" – 1:20
- "Loungin'" (with Donald Byrd on trumpet and piano) – 4:38
- "When You're Near" (with N'Dea Davenport on vocals and Simon Law on keyboards) – 4:02
- "Transit Ride" (with Branford Marsalis on alto and soprano saxophone and Zachary Breaux on guitar) – 3:58
- "No Time to Play" (with Ronny Jordan on guitar and D. C. Lee & Big Shug on vocals) – 4:54
- "Down the Backstreets" (with Lonnie Liston Smith on acoustic and electric piano) – 4:47
- "Respectful Dedications" - :54
- "Take a Look (At Yourself)" (with Roy Ayers on vibraphone) – 3:59
- "Trust Me" (with N'Dea Davenport on vocals) – 4:27
- "Slicker Than Most" (with Gary Barnacle on saxophone and flute) – 2:35
- "Le Bien, Le Mal" (with MC Solaar) – 3:21
- "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
Samples Used
Personnel
Other media
The song "When You're Near Me" was featured in Cindy Crawford's video "The Next Challenge".
Songs
1Introduction1:23
2Loungin'4:42
3When You're Near4:05