May 18, 2017

Guru "Jazzmatazz Volume 1" (May 18, 1993)

Guru Jazzmatazz Volume 1 Advertisement May 18, 1993
Guru Jazzmatazz Volume 1 Billboard Magazine May 8, 1993

'Jazzmatazz Volume 1' is the debut solo album from Guru of Gang Starr; it was released on this day in 1993 through Chrysalis Records. From its packaging to the music inside, 'Jazzmatazz Volume 1' is a total concept, an experimental fusion of Jazz and Rap. The album’s jacket, a photo of Guru blowing smoke over a vintage microphone, recalls those from Blue Note’s heyday during the ’50s and ’60s. The songs feature Guru in a Jazz-Rap synthesis with Jazz musicians Donald Byrd, Roy Ayers, Ronny Jordan, Courtney Pine, Brandford Marsalis, and Zachary Breaux. Acid-Jazz singers Carleen Anderson, DC Lee, and N’dea Davenport and French rapper MC Solaar also appear. The lead single was ‘Loungin’ with Donald Byrd on the keys and trumpet; it was released on April 19th and the video was directed by Spike Lee. Another single I really liked was the song ‘Trust Me’ with N’dea Davenport; I remember it being one of my sis' favorite songs and she'd bug me to play it and put it on mixes for her, lol. The article above is from Billboard Magazine just a week shy of its release in '93, and the video for Guru's 'Trust Me' is below. R.I.P. Guru. Click images for a better view.