Guru – Jazzmatazz

While his Gang Starr cohort DJ Premier was busy producing for the likes of KRS-One & Heavy D, Boston-born MC Guru decided to branch out on his own and did by giving us an underrated solo debut, fusing hip hop with jazz. Jazz samples have also had a large role in hip-hop, but the idea of rapping over actual live jazz wasn’t truly fully realized at that point. Jazzmatazz Volume 1 features a live band consisting of Donald Byrd on trumpet and piano, Simon Law on keyboards, Branford Marsalis on sax, Zachary Breaux and Ronny Jordan on guitar, Lonnie Liston Smith on piano, Roy Ayers on vibraphone, Gary Barnacle and Courtney Pine on sax and flute. The production is entirely made by Guru, helped by the guests in the realization of the music. He delves into a variety of subjects, ranging from the problems of inner-city life to his own verbal prowess to self-improvement without ever sounding too repetitive, and his well-practiced flow fits well with the overall smooth, sultry, and intelligent feel of the album.