A Review of Guru’s Jazzmatazz

HIGHLIGHT TRACKS: “Take A Look (At Yourself),” “Loungin’,” “Transit Ride” 

GENRE: Jazz rap, east coast hip hop, acid jazz

RIYL: The Pharcyde, De La Soul, Q-Tip

Finding that perfect album to effectively block out any noise from my roommates, while simultaneously retaining the most information for midterms has proven to be a difficult task. For the past week, Guru has been my sweet escape. Most notably half of Gang Starr, Keith Edward Elam went by his stage name Gifted Unlimited Rhymes Universal, Guru. His blend of conscious lyricism with syncopated instrumental melodies has made his four part solo album series truly the blueprint for the lo-fi/jazz rap dominated alternative hip-hop world our generation seems to be so entranced by. With features from acid jazz legends, Roy Ayers, Donald Byrd, and N’Dea Davenport, Jazzmatazz Volume 1 is one of the first successful examples of melding east coast hip hop flavor with live jazz backing tracks in the studio. Next time you’re searching for an album to cue in the never ending battle for focus, let Guru’s silky bars ease the stimulus of the outside world.