| Jazzmatazz, Vol. 1 | |
|---|---|
 Studio album by Guru | |
|
Released |
May 18, 1993 |
|
Recorded |
June 1992 - February 1993 |
|
Studio |
D&D Studios |
|
Genre |
East Coast hip hop, Jazz rap, Conscious hip hop, Underground hip hop |
|
Length |
44:00 |
|
Label |
Chrysalis Records |
|
Producer |
Guru (also exec.), Duff Marlowe (exec.), Patrick Moxey (exec.) |
| Guru solo chronology | |
|---|---|
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Next |
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Jazzmatazz, Vol. 1 is the debut solo studio album by American hip hop artist Guru, released in May 18, 1993 on Chrysalis Records. Recording sessions took place at D&D Studios in New York City and at EMI Studios in London from June 1992 to February 1993. The album is one of the first albums to combine a live jazz band with hip hop production and rapping, as well as the first 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 emcee 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, stated that he was in search of "an alternative to James Brown samples", and that jazz's "mellow tracks, along with the hard rap beat, go hand-in-glove with my voice."
Jazzmatazz, Vol. 1 peaked at #24 and #91 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums and Billboard 200 albums charts. Jazzmatazz, Vol. 1 spawned the singles: "Trust Me" (which peaked at #50 on the Hot R&B/Hip Hop Singles & Tracks chart), "Loungin'", "No Time to Play" and "Le Bien, Le Mal". 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[]
| No. | Title | Performer(s) | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Introduction" | - | Elam | Guru | 1:20 |
| 2. | "Loungin'" | Guru | Elam | Guru | 4:38 |
| 3. | "When You're Near" | Guru, N'dea Davenport | Davenport, Elam | Guru | 4:02 |
| 4. | "Transit Ride" | Guru | Elam | Guru | 3:58 |
| 5. | "No Time to Play" | Guru | Elam | Guru | 4:54 |
| 6. | "Down the Backstreets" | Guru | Elam | Guru | 4:47 |
| 7. | "Respectful Dedications" | - | Elam | Guru | 0:54 |
| 8. | "Take a Look (At Yourself) | Guru | Elam | Guru | 3:59 |
| 9. | "Trust Me" | Guru, N'dea Davenport | Davenport, Elam | Guru | 4:27 |
| 10. | "Slicker Than Most" | Guru | Elam | Guru | 2:36 |
| 11. | "Le Bien, Le Mal" | Guru, MC Solaar | Elam | Guru, MC Solaar (co.), DJ Jimmy Jay (co.) | 3:21 |
| 12. | "Sights in the City" | Guru | Elam, Pine (co.) | Guru | 5:10 |
Notes
- Track 2 features trumpets and piano performed by Donald Byrd.
- Track 3 features keyboards performed by Simon Law.
- Track 4 features alto and soprano saxophone performed by Branford Marsalis, guitar performed by Zachary Breāux, and scratches performed by DJ Jazzy Nice.
- Track 5 features guitar performed by Ronny Jordan, vocals performed by DC Lee, and additional vocals performed by Big Shug.
- Track 6 features acoustic and electric piano performed by Lonnie Liston Smith, and drums performed by Lil' Dap.
- Track 8 features vibes performed by Roy Ayers.
- Track 10 features saxophone and flute performed by Gary Barnacle, and additional vocals performed by The Cutthroats.
- Track 11 features additional vocals performed by Black Jack and Mickey "Mus Mus", and scratches performed by DJ Jimmy Jay.
- Track 12 features alto and soprano saxophone and flute performed by Courtney Pine, vocals performed by Carleen Anderson, and keyboards performed by Simon Law.
Samples[]
Loungin'
- "Showdown" by Monk Higgins
When You're Near
- "Last Night Changed It All (I Really Had a Ball)" by Esther Williams
- "Povo" by Freddie Hubbard
Transit Ride
- "Synthetic Substitution" by Melvin Bliss
- "Delancey Street" by Dana Dane
No Time to Play
- "Satin Soul" by Love Unlimited Orchestra
Down the Backstreets
- "Do You Remember When?" by The Crusaders
Take a Look (At Yourself)
- "Book of Slim" by Gene Harris and The Three Sounds
Trust Me
- "The Big Beat" by Billy Squier
- "Mosadi (Woman)" by The Crusaders
Slicker Than Most
- "It Feels So Good" by Grover Washington, Jr.
Le Bien, La Mal
- "Pot Belly" by Lou Donaldson
Sights in the City
- "Patiently" by The New Birth