Jazzmatazz 2
ASIN: B000003JD7
Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
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
Jazzmatazz 2,Guru,Virgin Records,Jazz,Pop,Rap,Soul/Reggae/Rhythm & Blues
Average customer rating: 
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Jazzmatazz, Vol. 2: The New Reality
Guru Manufacturer: Virgin Records Us ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD  General
| Jazz
| Styles
| Music
General
| R&B
| Styles
| Music
General
| Soul
| R&B
| Styles
| Music
East Coast
| Rap & Hip-Hop
| Styles
| Music
General
| Rap & Hip-Hop
| Styles
| Music
Pop Rap
| Rap & Hip-Hop
| Styles
| Music
Similar Items:
ASIN: B000003JD7 Release Date: 1995-07-18 |
Tracks:
Amazon.com
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
Customer Reviews:
Rap + Jazz x 2= Jazmatazz Volume 2 (Rating: 8 out of 10- -4 stars).......2006-12-23
Good stuff to drive too.......2005-03-22
The second, and second-best, of the series.......2004-03-18
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.
Simply.......Awesome.......2002-12-18
The Fusion Continues.......2001-01-25
Average customer rating: 
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Jazzmatazz V.1/Jazzmatazz V.2
Guru Manufacturer: EMI ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General
| Rap & Hip-Hop
| Styles
| Music
Pop Rap
| Rap & Hip-Hop
| Styles
| Music
Rap & Hip-Hop
| Imports
| Stores
| Music
ASIN: B0002TKFFE Release Date: 2004-09-13 |
Tracks:
Tracks:
Album Description
Limited edition box-set combines the rapper/composer's 1993 & 1995 albums. Slipcase. EMI. 2004.
Average customer rating:
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Jazzmatazz Vol 1 & Vol 2
Guru Manufacturer: Phantom Sound & Vision ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General
| Jazz
| Styles
| Music
General
| R&B
| Styles
| Music
General
| Rap & Hip-Hop
| Styles
| Music
ASIN: B0000DERSY Release Date: 2000-12-18 |
![Hip Hop 'N Jazz / Crucial Rap [22 Songs on 2 CDs] Digable Planets, Solsonics, Joi, Us3, Lonnie Gordon, Jazzmatazz, 2Pac, Notorious B.I.G., Coolio, Mobb Deep & More...](http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/218GS691VZL.jpg)
Average customer rating:
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Hip Hop 'N Jazz / Crucial Rap [22 Songs on 2 CDs] Digable Planets, Solsonics, Joi, Us3, Lonnie Gordon, Jazzmatazz, 2Pac, Notorious B.I.G., Coolio, Mobb Deep & More...
ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD ASIN: B000E7N79U |
Customer Reviews:
TRACK LISTINGS.......2006-01-16
Jazz Music:
![A STREET MIX [old school] Smooth jazzy hip hop. 1. Pacifics - Digable Planets 2. Jazz In The Present Tense - The Solsonics 3. Sunshine & The Rain - Joi 4. Tukka Yoot's Riddim - Us3 5. Gonna Catch You - Lonnie Gordon 6. Down The Backstreets - Jazzmatazz 7. Cantaloop - Us3 8. Jimmi Diggin Cats - Digable Planets 9. Loungin' - Jazzmatazz 10. Blood Brother - The Solsonics](http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/31aB6F5YasL.jpg)