Customer Reviews

Streetsoul

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(19)
3 star:		(10)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

3.5 Stars

The standout track on this album, Plenty, shows us what Jazzmatazz could have been. This 6th track pairs Guru with Erykah Badu (with the beat produced by the ever soulful Badu), and it delivers on the promise implicit in such a collaboration. Over a beat which can best be described as a near perfect fusion of jazz sounds and hip-hop drums Guru and Badu playfully speak with one another, Guru through his rap dialect, Badu with her eloquent voice. If Jazzmatazz had delivered 15 tracks in this vein it would have been a masterpiece. It didn't.

The main problem with this album (and partly why Plenty stands out as much as it does) is that for an album named "Jazzmatazz," there isn't a whole lot of jazz going on. Instead of finding lesser-known artists who truly make jazz music, Guru has acquired quite popular artists, some of which can only tenuously be described as soul singers or jazz artists.

The feel of this album can be readily summed up in the song Hustlin' Daze. This song is standard Guru material; as such it is definitely quality, but it nothing outstanding that we have not heard before. DJ Premeir produces a nice beat and Donnell Jones provides a servicable hook. Over this backdrop Guru delivers three verses which are not outstanding, but better than most verses out there. Like Hustlin' Daze the rest of the album is good material, but rarely becomes outstanding. Further, like Hustlin' Daze most of the album is hip hop disguised as jazz by only the thinnest of masks (in the case of Hustlin' Daze my best guess is that the presence of Donnell Jones was the jazz element, although that's not really too jazzy). And lastly, like Hustlin' Daze this album, while good, is not outstanding and is not anything we haven't heard before.

All this isn't to say that Jazzmatazz isn't a nice listen. There are plenty of good tracks which will require heavy rotation. Keep Your Worries, Certified, Plenty, Night Vision, and Timeless are all high in quality. The rest of the album (with the exception of the Roots track, a major disappointment) is far from filler material.

While the album is nice, it definitely falls short; it makes me wish that Guru hadn't included Plenty on the album. The quality of that track tells me that if Guru had put his mind to it Jazzmatazz could have been a near-classic, if not a classic, which trully bridged the gap between jazz and hip hop and explored a new genre of music. Unfortunately, for whatever reason, that didn't happen and Jazzmatazz, while nice, leaves you wanting something better.

Ok, I admit it...as far as soulful music goes, this year has been an utter and complete disappointment. The poor quality and formulaic construction of both Joe and Boyz II Men's albums (YES i did say that, now i want ANYONE to respond that they were better than the old albums by the same artists) has brought me to almost refute the entire genre, the only thing i look forward to now is the K-ci and jojo album in december with a new jodeci track! But despite that fact, Guru's third Jazzmatazz effort comes through in a brilliant way, successfully hybridizing soul with hip-hop and a tinge of jazz.

This Jazzmatazz appeals to a wider audience than the first two editions did; the focus is hip-hop with a message, and the soulful influences are not forced onto the listener, but mainly an additional musical layer. Standout tracks are "Keep Your Worries", "Hustlin Daze", "Guidance", and "Timeless". Guru has successfully stepped out of the shadow of Gangstarr and proves that he can create an entire album that is extremely listenable, almost never slipping up even without DJ Premier's reliable sonic background. In fact, this album simply increases the anticipation for the next Gangstarr album; it's very good to hear Guru's confident rhymes again, and it's also very comforting to know he hasn't forgotten any of his soulful hip-hop roots unlike artists such as the Boyz, Joe, and Sisqo. A thoroughly enjoyable album from start to finish, and one of the best albums of the year!

Suup y'all. This new Guru Jazzmatazz: StreetSoul is one of the most solid LPs of 2000. I know that the second one may have lacked focus in ceratin areas, and peeps who liked the first one may have written him off, but this third installment is a great example of how compilations should be. The artists/producers on this album are the who's who of the present day hip hop/soul/jazz world. Joints like "Lift Ya Fist" and "Hustlin' Daze" keeps the album on the hip hop tip, but soul creations like "Certified" and "Guidance" smooth the album out. There is even a very jazzy joint entitled "Plenty" in which Erykah Badu melts the track with her voice, and Herbie Hancock even lends his talents to the last piece on the album. All in all, this album is mad solid from front to back. A necessity for anyone who is into the neo-soul/smooth hip hop scene that is droppin' right now. Definitely worth the money spent, a few times over. Peace..

In Guru's third installment of the Jazzmatazz series, he has not let any one down. You can't skip over one track on this release, or you will miss some serious musical talent. With Jazzmatazz Vol. 1 being more jazzy, and two being a little more hip-hop, number 3 is probably his most hip-hop based CD yet; while incorporating the jazz in it also and it still has a half French song in it just like Vol. 1!!! It is very reminiscent of Gangstarr. This CD is packed with phat beats, deep lyrics, and some killer instrumentals!!!

I do agree that this album was not as jazzed as the first volumes. I do think Guru pimped more in this album, though. He is one of the best three emcees in this business when it comes to smooth lyrics, lyrical skill, longevity, etc. He is a very intellectual rapper with a wonderfully mellow style. I basically bought the album to get more of a taste of the skills. This album is smoothed out. You can just pimp to it with your top down. Almost all of the tracks just flow into one another. And on top of that Guru can flow to any beat he provides. There are plenty of other emcees out there that are great, but they dont flow to every beat on every song. Guru provides that. The only complaint is the lack of actual jazz. This album is definitely more soul than jazz. But I was looking for great music and this is what I got. The person earlier who said Guru was tired was way off beat with this one. He is one of the hardest working men in showbiz outside of KRS-ONE. He has almost ten albums over a decade. And this one is a great one to add to the collection.

If a bunch of decent beats ruined by wack (with a few exceptions) R&B hooks is your idea of Jazzmatazz, check this out. If not stick to Volume One, where there was actually some jazz cats on the album. Premier, help your man out, it's time for a new Gangstarr album.

Just when you thought you heard it all between Jill, Angie, Common, D'Angelo, and others comes a funky musical compilation of nothing but "TALENT". I am beginning to believe that the bubble gum pop era is at its' end. Young African Americans are becoming instrumental in renewing "Soul and R&B with a splash of hip hop. I can not say enough about this album. There is something here for everyone. ISSAC HAYES delievers with the same tenacity as his original score of SHAFT. I felt like shaven my head, putting on some heavy gold chains and wearing a floor length fox coat. You would think Herbie would be the jazziest cut but it is actually Erykah!!! This man knows what he likes and it is deliciously displayed on this project. Brother Bilal I can not wait for your project. SIR GURU I TAKE MY HAT OFF TO YA, AND BOW GRACIOUSLY.

One of Guru's problems - although it's hard to think that it could ever really be a problem - is that his earlier stuff is just SO good that any backwards step makes him come off badly.

It can be quite easily said that the first Jazzmatazz CD created a whole new set of parameters both for rap in general, and Guru in specific. While not yet having the second volume in the trilogy, I'm assured that it is equally groundbreaking. The problem with "Streetsoul" is that it just isn't groundbreaking at all.

That said, Guru turning in a poor effort is similar to many rappers turning in their best performances ever. Despite the fact that "Streetsoul" hasn't moved the boundaries to any great extent, it has certainly moved well within them.

Guru's rapping here is not much different to any of his earlier work, but then again - does it need to be? His style and flow is one of the most recognisable in hip-hop today and certainly does lend the album that extra edge. The monotone rap, however, does get a bit annoying when it is always coupled with singing - and what talented singing! - as opposed to flowing over jazz music.

In fact, the jazz aspect of the "Jazzmatazz" is sadly lacking here. The only real jazz artist is Herbie Hancock (sounding only a shadow of his former self on "Timeless"), while Les Nubians could at a pinch be described as jazz vocalists (providing the requisite French lyrics on "Who's There?").

As far as the other guests go, it does begin to sound a bit "old hat" eventually. Not to detract from the individual merits of Angie Stone, Erykah Badu, Kelis, Donnell Jones, Craig David and co - but the tracks do begin to blend into each other if the listener doesn't take enough care and pay enough attention.

Some of the selctions of guests are clearly inspired choices. Les Nubians and Erykah Badu both add great colour to their respective tracks ("Who's There?" and "Plenty"), with Badu clearly enjoying the old-style singing involved on her duet. Donnell and Angie also provide creditable support on "Hustlin' Daze" and "Keep Your Worries" respectively.

The duet with Craig David ("No More") is not as good as perhaps it should have been. Granted, David posesses one of the finest voices in pop music, however his singing winds up clashing a bit with Guru - possibly due to his inexperience. I would have recommended the duet for the next album if there is such a thing. Perhaps most disappointingly, Big Shug - the only Volume 1 veteran on this recording - seems to have lost his edge and now sounds like just another thug-rapper.

Overall, an album still well worth getting. While in terms of Guru's work, it only rates 3 stars - when compared with the trash being passed off as hip-hop in recent years, it is worth the purcahse

I thought that the cd was o-k. It did not have me playing it constantly as I thought I would. I went to see the show live in NY, and the crowd was nice and the show peaked enough interest that I went to purchase it. I was not very impressed. I can tell you the tracks that I like without a second thought. They are as follows: Angie Stone's collaboration, Erykah Badu's collaboration, Bilal's collaboration and the Roots collaboation. The rest of the album is junk. Seriously, download it, listen to it at HMV, just be sure before you just don't go out and buy it. It is okay, the music is decent, but over all, just 3 stars from me. Sorry Guru . . . this cd does not give me 'Plenty' to talk about. Better luck next time.

Guru's music has always been laced with Jazz(see Gangstarr's early work). He found the perfect guests for this album. From the current stars Erykah, Macy, Angie and The Roots to legends like Issac and Herbie. This album can play in any jazz or poetry club. Had I known it was so good, I would have bought it sooner. I wish Pru were on the album though. Being that she is from Houston where Premier is from. Anyone who appreciates good smooth jazz can get into this. EVen those who just appreciate music can vibe to it. This album is soul indeed!!