19 апреля, в возрасте 43 лет от нас ушел хип-хоп брат Кэйф Илам (Keith Elam) более известный как мс Guru из дуэта Gang Starr. Гуру с Dj Premier были одними из первых рэпперов сэмплирующими джаз в хип-хопе.
Предлагаю помянуть исполнителя, вспомнив его первый сольный альбом. Jazzmatazz Vol.1 был записан в 1993, при участии ударной группы звёздных джазменов: саксофониста Branford Marsalis, трубача Donald Byrd, вибрафониста Donald Byrd, гитариста Ronny Jordan, клавишника Lonnie Liston Smith, а также певицы N’Dea Davenport (из Brand New Heavies) и французского рэппера MC Solaar. Вышел прекрасный джаз-рэп проект, который стал первой ласточкой в серии Jazzmatazz.
Great jazz+rap album, posted in the memory of Keith Elam [Guru from Gang Starr], who died on April 19, 2010 at the age of 43. Rest in Peace Hip-Hop brother.
This album was recordered together with the star-pack of great jazz-mans: saxophonist Branford Marsalis (who had previously collaborated with DJ Premier and Guru for the track “Jazz Thing” on the Mo’ Better Blues soundtrack), trumpeter Donald Byrd, vibraphonist Roy Ayers, guitarist Ronny Jordan, and keyboardist Lonnie Liston Smith, as well as vocalist N’Dea Davenport (also of the acid jazz group the Brand New Heavies) and French rapper MC Solaar.
Tracklisting / Трэклист:
1. Introduction (Guru [1]) – 1:20
2. Loungin’ performed by Guru / Donald Byrd – 4:38
3. When You’re Near performed by Guru / N’Dea Davenport – 4:02
4. Transit Ride performed by Guru / Branford Marsalis – 3:58
5. No Time to Play performed by Guru / Ronny Jordan / D.C. Lee – 4:54
6. Down to the Backstreets performed by Guru / Smith, Lonnie Liston – 4:47
7. Respectful Dedications (Guru [1]) – :54
8. Take a Look (At Yourself) performed by Guru / Roy Ayers – 3:59
9. Trust Me performed by Guru / N’Dea Davenport – 4:27
10. Slicker Than Most (Guru [1]) – 2:36
11. Le Bien, Le Mal performed by Guru / MC Solaar – 3:21
12. Sights in the City performed by Guru / Courtney Pine – 5:10