While his Gang Starr colleague DJ Premier was busy producing for the likes of KRS-One & Heavy D, the Boston-born MC Guru decided to go his own way and put out an underrated solo debut that fused hip-hop with jazz. Jazz samples also played a big role in hip-hop, but the idea of rapping over real live jazz hadn’t really been realized at the time.

“Jazzmatazz Volume 1” features a live band consisting of Donald Byrd (trumpet and piano), Simon Law (keyboards), Branford Marsalis (saxophone), Zachary Breaux and Ronny Jordan (guitar), Lonnie Liston Smith (piano), Roy Ayers (vibraphone), Gary Barnacle and Courtney Pine (saxophone and flute). The production is entirely by Guru, who is supported by his guests in the realization of the music. He tackles a variety of topics ranging from the problems of inner-city life to his own verbal prowess to self-improvement without ever sounding too repetitive, and his well-rehearsed flow fits well with the overall mellow, sultry and intelligent mood of the album.

1. Introduction
2. Loungin’
3. When You’re Near
4. Transit Ride
5. No Time To Play
6. Down the Backstreets
7. Respectful Dedications
8. Take a Look (At Yourself)
9. Trust Me
10. Slicker Than Most
11. Le Bien, Le Mal
12. Sights In the City