A voice that won't be forgotten

RIP Keith “Guru” Elam: July 17, 1966 – April 20, 2010

Last night one of my favorite artists died of cancer-related causes, if you followed this blog at its best days, you know that Guru was very important to me, since his album Jazzmatazz vol.1 was one of the albums that got me into Hip-Hop, and I can honestly say that there would never be no rapdungeon without Guru, just like a lot of our favorite mc's wouldn't ever rhyme if they cheard Gang Starr first. I'm glad I had a chance to see him perform live and to have his autograph (as you can see in the picture). R.I.P. Guru, your voice and importance to Hip-Hop will never be forgotten.

Back to the Future

Guru (2008) Jazzmatazz - Back to the Future (The Mixtape)

You know the Gang Starr days aren't comming back, not even the early Jazzmatazz days are comming back, and you also know what I think of Guru's new "Superproducer" Solar. Anyway, I'll still be checking everything that Guru drops, as wack as it gets. But this mixtape isn't wack, in fact, I found many of the tracks pretty good, besides the remixed tracks, it has collabos with Zion I, Lor Tariq, Aceyalone, Mr. Lif, C.Knowledge (of Digable planets) and the amazing Blue Scholars.

Unlike his other work with Solar, this actually has some Jazzy laid back beats that we all love to hear Guru rapping over. This > Jazzmatazz vol. 4.

1. Intro (Don Gurizzy)
2. Knowledge f. Lord Tariq
3. 7 Grand Ya'll f. Solar
4. For Ya Mind f. Zion I
5. Peace! f. K-Born / Highpower / Solar
6. State of Clarity (Solar Remix) f. Common
7. Who Got It On Lock f. Doo Wop
8. B-Boy Kamikaze f. Tony Touch & Doo Wop (Diaz Brothers)
9. Too Slice f. Yungun
10. So What It Do Now f. Aceyalone
11. We Got That f. Nature & Solar
12. Jazzy Wayz (7 Grand Exclusive)
13. Stand Up (Some Things'll Never Change) (Reggae Mix) f. Damian Marley
14. Hot Like That f. Medinah
15. No Need for Stress f. Mr. Lif
16. Back to the Future f. Caron Wheeler & C.Knowledge (Digable Planets)
17. Assasino f. Young Pablo
18. The Game Needs Me f. Blue Scholars & Common Market
19. Feed the Hungry (Solar Remix)
20. Can't Stop the Movement (7 Grand) f. Ms. Camille

Jazzmatazz Vol. 4

Guru [2007]

Jazzmatazz Vol. 4 - The Hip Hop Jazz Messenger: Back to the Future

01 - Cuz I'm Jazzy (ft. Slum Village)
02 - State of Clarity (ft. Common & Bob James)
03 - Stand Up [Some Things'll Never Change] (ft. Damian Marley)
04 - Look to the Sun [Solar]
05 - Connection (ft. Kem)
06 - Fine and Free (ft. Vivian Green)
07 - Wait on Me (ft. Raheem DeVaughn)
08 - International (ft. Bobby Valentino)
09 - This is Art (ft. Ronnie Laws)
10 - Fly Magnetic (ft. Dionne Farris)
11 - The Jazz Style (ft. Omar)
12 - Follow the Signs (ft. Shelley Harland)
13 - Universal Struggle (ft. Brownman)
14 - Infinite (ft. Blackalicious)
15 - Kissed the World (ft. Caron Wheeler)
16 - Living Legend (ft. David Sanborn)

Dear Guru

I seriously think that you should stop working with your "superproducer" Solar (at least on the Jazzmatazz series) and work with real Jazz musicians like you did on Vol. 1, also, you should feature real Jazz singers instead of crap like Bobby Valentino.

Thank you for your time.