The creators of the hip-hop art form like Kool Herc, Grandmaster Flash, and Afrika Bambaataa all incorporated records by artists like Roy Ayers and Bob James into their DJ sets.

Mid-80s hip-hop tracks frequently sampled songs like James Nautilus and Take Me To the Mardi Gras.

And Gang Starr s first single Words I Manifest sampled Charlie Parkers version of A Night in Tunisia.

Truthfully, jazz has shown a love for hip-hop since the beginning of its popularity.

Herbie Hancock released Rockit, a Grammy Award winning collaboration with Grandmixer DST.

Miles Davis final album was Doo-Bop (1992), where he partnered with skilled producer Easy Moe Bee.

And Branford Marsalis played the saxophone on Gang Starrs Jazz Thing, the theme song for Spike Lees Mo Betta Blues.,resolvedBy:manual data-block-type32 idblock-yui31721152652000872632201 data-provider-name.

Released 25 years ago, Jazzmatazz is the first successful example of fusing straight-ahead East Coast hip-hop with live jazz artists.

Guru enlists a cast of jazz heavyweights to cut loose and show their love.

Given Gang Starrs connection and his own deep and abiding love for jazz music, Guru putting together the Jazzmatazz project as his first solo album made perfect sense.

Gurus smoky, deep baritone always sounded like the spoken equivalent of a Ron Carter bass solo, and through his production for Jazzmatazz, he creates a sound that is perfectly suited for his vocals.

My main concern was to maintain my street credibility and to represent the hardcore rap crowd because they got me to where I am now, Guru says in the albums liner notes.

Guru worked to preserve the integrity of both the jazz and rap sides of the equation.

Guru generally followed one formula throughout the recording process.

First, hed put together the rhythm track (the drums and the bassline) and come up with the concept and title for the song.

Second, the jazz performer would then record his soloist material over the existing rhythm track.

Finally, Guru would lay down his vocals over the completed instrumental.

Loungin, the albums opening track and first single, features the legendary Donald Byrd on both the trumpet and piano.

Byrd solos throughout the track, using his unique style with both instruments to complement Gurus vocals.

Guru does his part as well, flowing with stream of consciousness raps that both extol his and Byrds skills.

Vocal samples of Miles Davis talking about the power of jazz run through the track intro and choruses fit in well, maintaining the songs mellow feel.

Branford Marsalis plays both alto and soprano saxophone on Transit Ride, serving as Gurus co-pilot as they guide the listener through the sights, smells, sounds, and pitfalls of the New York Subway system.

Jazzmatazz Vol. 2 The New Reality Rar