Guru – Jazzmatazz, Vol. 1 (2018) (Deluxe Edition, 3LP) [Vinyl] [FLAC] [24-96]

Genre: Hip-Hop, Jazzy Hip-Hop, Acid Jazz
Codec: Flac (*.flac)
Rip: tracks
Quality: lossless
Sample Rate: 24bit/96kHz
Size: 2.43 Gb

Info: Keith Edward Elam (July 17, 1961 – April 19, 2010), better known by his stage name Guru (a backronym for Gifted Unlimited Rhymes Universal), was an American rapper, record producer, and actor. He was a member of the hip hop duo Gang Starr, along with DJ Premier. He was born in Roxbury, Massachusetts.

About.com placed him on their list of the Top 50 MCs of Our Time, while The Source ranked him #30 on their list of the Top 50 Lyricists of All Time, saying “Guru dropped some of the most thoughtful rhymes on wax”.

Guru’s Jazzmatazz, Vol. 1 is the debut solo studio album by American hip hop recording artist Guru, released on May 18, 1993 on Chrysalis Records. It was one of the first albums to combine a live jazz band with hip hop production and rapping, as well as 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, D. 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.

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 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.

The Album LP01
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

The Instrumentals LP02
C1 Loungin’ (Instrumental)
C2 When You’re Near (Instrumental)
C3 Transit Ride (Instrumental)
C4 No Time To Play (Instrumental)
C5 Down The Backstreets (Instrumental)
D1 Take A Look (At Yourself) (Instrumental)
D2 Trust Me (Instrumental)
D3 Slicker Than Most (Instrumental)
D4 Le Bien, Le Mal (Instrumental)
D5 Sights In The City (Instrumental)

The Bonus Tracks LP03
E1 Loungin’ (Square Biz Mix)
E2 Loungin’ (Guru Meets The Professor Mix)
E3 Loungin’ (Jazz Not Jazz Mix)
E4 No Time To Play (CJ’s Longer Radio Mix)
F1 Trust Me (CJ’s Master Mix)
F2 Season For Change
F3 Season For Change (Dawn Of The Season Mix)