Country: U.S.A.
Genre: Hip-Hop
Label Number: SGR007
.FLAC via Florenfile
.AAC 256 kbps via Florenfile© 2007 7 Grand Records
Jazzmatazz, Vol. 4: The Hip Hop Jazz Messenger: Back to the Future Review by Marisa BrownAlthough
Guru's been putting out new editions in his
Jazzmatazz series for almost 15 years now, none of the releases has gotten quite the same amount of acclaim as 1993's
Vol. 1,
which was one of the first examples, and certainly the best, of how
actual live jazz could be used and mixed with hip-hop. He collected a
wide selection of players and vocalists and ended up with what has been
one of the most respected rap albums ever, with a trans-genre appeal
that's been hard to match.
Vol. 4
continues in this direction, though more often than not the jazzy horn
breaks and piano grooves are replaced with more contemporary sounding
beats. This isn't to say that the production's not good here (it's done
entirely by a very skillful
Solar),
but it ventures into more straightforward hip-hop territory than most
of the other volumes did. "Kissed the World," a witty anti-Bush track,
uses a poppy piano line and synth strings, while "Stand Up
(Somethings'll Never Change)" features Damien Marley and mixes Afro drum
rhythms with Marley's reggae call. "Follow the Signs" is more
guitar-based than any other song, and "Connection" has a smooth R&B
feel.
Guru,
of course, holds his own on the mic, and though his lyrics do tend to
veer towards the typical braggadocio, he has enough history behind him,
as well as some pretty good lines ("I serve a rapper like an ace from
Agassi,") he spits on "Infinite," which features
Blackalicious'
Gift of Gab and is one of the best tracks on the entire album as he employs insightful social commentary to back these statements up.
Jazzmatazz
is the MC's baby, and at this point is funded by him and his company, 7
Grand Records, but he doesn't let this take him overboard. He's clearly
dedicated to it, yes, but he's experienced and talented enough to keep
it from being a project of indulgence, using outside help (besides
Gab and Marley,
Common and
David Sanborn,
among others, also show up here) to keep the ideas and sounds
interesting to all those -- listeners included -- involved, and making,
ultimately, for a successful accomplishment.
