Guru – Jazzmatazz Volume: 1

Jazzmatazz Volume 1 is the debut solo studio album by American hip hop recording artist Guru. Released on May 18, 1993, on Chrysalis Records, it is one of the first albums to combine a live jazz band with hip hop production and rapping. The album features contributions from singers N’Dea Davenport, Carleen Anderson, Dee C Lee, French rapper MC Solaar, and musicians Simon Law, Branford Marsalis, Courtney Pine, Donald Byrd, Gary Barnacle, Lonnie Liston Smith, Ronny Jordan, Roy Ayers and Zachary Breaux.

Jazzmatazz Volume 1 is a groundbreaking album that seamlessly blends two seemingly disparate genres: jazz and hip hop. Guru’s smooth, intelligent raps are perfectly complemented by the lush, live jazz arrangements. The album features a diverse range of tracks, from the upbeat and funky “Loungin'” and “When You’re Near” to the more mellow and reflective “Take A Look (At Yourself)” and “Sights In The City.”

Jazzmatazz Volume 1 was a critical and commercial success, peaking at number 94 on the Billboard 200 and number 15 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums charts. It also spawned the hit single “Trust Me,” which reached number 50 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks chart.

The album is considered to be a classic of the jazz hip hop genre, and it has been influential on many subsequent artists. It was also one of the first albums to introduce hip hop to a wider audience, and it helped to pave the way for other successful jazz hip hop artists, such as Digable Planets, A Tribe Called Quest, and The Roots.

If you’re a fan of jazz, hip hop, or simply great music, then Jazzmatazz Volume 1 is an essential album for your collection.