Veteran MC Guru
and new partner and producer Solar are planning the release of Jazzmatazz Vol.
4: The Hip-Hop Jazz Messenger: Back To The Future on their own label, 7 Grand
Records. The
fourth installment of Guru’s Jazzmatazz series features heavyweights like
Bob James, David Sanborn, Common, Blackalicious, Slum Village, Kem, Bobby Valentino,
Damian Marley, Vivian Green, Caron Wheeler, Raheem Devaughn and others. "Without
question, this is the best Jazzmatazz release yet," Guru boasted.
"This latest incarnation contains not only Hip-Hop and Jazz, but also elements
of soul, funk and rock..since the inception of Jazzmatazz, one of the main
focuses has been that it has something for every generation and music lover. It’s
timeless. When we enter into these projects we’re working with artists that
are relevant and it provides for that fresh new territory."Guru’s
Jazzmatazz series is a groundbreaking fusion of Hip-Hop and Jazz music.
The
first installment, which was released in the spring of 1993, featured artists
like Branford Marsalis, MC Solaar, Donald Byrd, Roy Ayres, Lonnie Liston Smith,
N’Dea Davenport and others. The
second and third installments collectively featured rappers and Jazz musicians
like Chaka Khan, Wynton Marsalis, Ramsey Lewis, Brian Holt, Bernard Purdie, Bahamadia,
Angie Stone, The Roots, Erykah Badu, Herbie Hancock and others.Guru
said the key to longevity and success was to "be honest with yourself, be
original, be open to criticism and don’t be afraid to reinvent and recreate yourself."Jazzmatazz
Vol. 4 is the second release from the pair’s business venture, 7 Grand Records.
The first release was Guru’s Version 7.0: The Street Scriptures, which
hit stores in 2005.The
label was distributed by Rawkus, but sources told AllHipHop.com that the labels
have parted ways amicably. Jazzmatazz
Vol. 4: The Hip-Hop Jazz Messenger: Back To The Future
is slated to hit storeson June 4. The
tracklisting is below: 1.
Cuz I’m Jazzy – feat: Slum Village2. State Of Clarity – feat:
Common and Bob James3. Stand Up (Some Things’ll Never Change) –
feat: Damian Marley4. Look To The Sun (Solar)5. Connection – feat:
Kem6. Fine and Free – feat: Vivian Green7. Wait On Me – feat:
Raheem DeVaughn8. International – feat: Bobby Valentino9. This Is
Art – feat: Ronny Laws10. Fly Magnetic – feat: Dionne Farris11.
The Jazz – Style feat: Omar12. Follow The Signs – feat: Shelley
Harland13. Universal Struggle – feat: Brownman14. Infinite –
feat: Blackalicious15. Kissed The World – feat: Caron Wheeler16.
Living Legend – feat: David Sanborn
