Jazzmatazz, Vol. 2: The New Reality
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Description
By the time Gang Starr's rapper Guru created the "experimental fusion of hip-hop and jazz" he called Jazzmatazz back in 1993, the idea of blending the two African-American styles had been fairly well explored. But as the first wholly self-conscious genremixing, Jazzmatazz Volume I was at least a decent novelty record. In the two Years that followed, however, jazz rap--from Digable Planets to Buckshot Lefonque to the Roots--grew into a dominant strain of alternative hip-hop. The good news is that 1995's Jazzmatazz II acknowledges the changing times. Guru ups the ante by collecting artists from R&B (Chaka Khan, Mica Paris) and reggae (Ini Kamoze, Patra) in addition to jazz (Ramsey Lewis, Donald Byrd, Freddie Hubbard) and rap (Kool Keith, Big Shug). The concept broadens to bring together makers of all black music. At best, the songs reflect this more robust brew: "Watch What You Say," for instance, blends Khan's dynamic blue improvisational singing and Branford Marsalis's subdued saxophone phrases with Guru's rap and DJ Premier's unorthodox track of video game sound effects. The bad news, though, is that Volume II fails in precisely the same places Volume I did. First, Guru still raps with fine tone but little gift for either rhythm or rhyme. In a monotone he self- righteously calls himself "The Lifesaver" but offers only vague solutions like "deal with reality and try to keep focus" to innercity turmoil. Second, except for Khan's vocals and perhaps Lewis' piano solo on "Respect the Architect," the style meshes never get a chance to rise out of the same tried hip-hop form. --Roni Sarig
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Good stuff to drive tooTuesday, March 22, 2005
I love it, good stuff to ride too! Very laid back and cool. I like "Something In The Past".
Peace, K
The second, and second-best, of the seriesThursday, March 18, 2004
This was Guru's second Jazzmatazz project. I purchased this one back in the day solely on having loved the first one.
Jazzmatazz II is solid; not spectacular like the first one. It still has some jazz feel to it but not as much. It's more hip hop but it's still very chill and laidback.
I like the Jamiroquai song; funny to think that they were no-names back then before blowing up a few years later.
Very soulful, mellow, good late-nite listening.
2 out of 2 people found the following review helpful:
Simply.......AwesomeWednesday, December 18, 2002
The best of the 3 jazzmatazzes. It is not nearly as jazz influenced as the 1st but absolutely the most complete of the 3. i love guru and Gangstarr. he is lyrically on point and every song is great. its deep and arranged well. This is one of my top 10 and top 5 hip hop albums in my mind. it takes a few listens to understand the complexity and integrity of this album. Completely original and very trippy when you get down to it. be patient and it will grow on you.
0 out of 2 people found the following review helpful:
The Fusion ContinuesThursday, January 25, 2001
This album continues the fusion of jazz and hip-hop that GURU pushed in his previous release of Jazzmatazz. He stays away and ventures out from the conventional representation of hip-hop in the form of beat samples and often misguided beats. This is one of the most bold musical moves in hip-hop since Kool Herc did dj parties in the Bronx
2 out of 15 people found the following review helpful:
I don like it..Saturday, October 28, 2000
but I don't like super smooth jazz like that. but I respect the fact that alot of people could like this. It's good for what it is, boring guru-type rapping and super smoove jazz. if you like that, get this you shouldn't be disappointed