Before Guru’s untimely death in 2010, the Boston-born Hip Hop legend had already established his legacy alongside DJ Premier as Gang Starr. But he’d also pumped out several solo albums, including the innovative Jazzmatazz series.
On May 18, Jazzmatazz Vol. 1 hit its 25th anniversary and to mark the occasion, Urban Legends premiered a lyric video for “No Time To Play” to coincide with a three-LP deluxe vinyl reissue.
The deluxe three-LP vinyl version includes the original 12-track album, an instrumental LP, and a third disc featuring rare, unreleased remixes and B-Sides.
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Packaged in a custom slipcase, each LP comes in its own unique sleeve and includes a 12-page, 12×12 glossy booklet with photos by photographer Thierry Le Goues.
In the original album’s liner notes, noted Hip Hop journalist Bill Adler included a quote from Guru about the project.
“I was leery,” Guru said. “It had to be done right. My main concern was to maintain my street credibility and to represent the hardcore rap crowd because they’ve got me to where I am now.”
He later added that making the album was “a very spiritual thing. It was so easy, as if it was meant to be.”
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The deluxe vinyl reissue is priced at $51.00. Cop it here, and peep the cover art and tracklists below. [apple_news_ad type=”any”]
LP #1
Side A
1. Introduction
2. Loungin’ f. Donald Byrd
3. When You’re Near f. N’Dea Davenport and Simon Law
4. Transit Ride f. Branford Marsalis and Zachary Breaux
5. No Time To Play f. Ronny Jordan and DC Lee
6. Down The Backstreets f. Lonnie Liston Smith
Side B
1. Respectful Dedications
2. Take A Look (At Yourself) f. Roy Ayers
3. Trust Me f. N’Dea Davenport
4. Slicker Than Most f. Gary Barnacle
5. Le Bien, Le Mal f. MC Solaar
6. Sights In The City f. Courtney Pine, Carleen Anderson and Simon Law
LP #2
Side A
1. Loungin’ (Instrumental)
2. When You’re Near f. Simon Law (Instrumental)
3. Transit Ride f. Zachary Breaux (Instrumental)
4. No Time To Play f. Ronny Jordan (Instrumental)
5. Down The Backstreets f. Lonnie Liston Smith (Instrumental)
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Side B
1. Take A Look (At Yourself) f. Roy Ayers (Instrumental)
2. Trust Me (Instrumental)
3. Slicker Than Most (Instrumental)
4. Le Bien, Le Mal (Instrumental)
5. Sights In The City (Instrumental)
LP #3
Side A
1. Loungin’ (Square Biz Mix)
2. Loungin’ (Guru Meets The Professor Mix) f. Donald Byrd
3. Loungin’ (Jazz Not Jazz Mix) f. Donald Byrd
4. No Time To Play (CJ’s Longer Radio Mix) f. Ronny Jordan and DC Lee
Side B
1. Trust Me Trust Me (CJ’s Master Mix) f. N’Dea Davenport
2. Season For Change (Ronny Jordan f. Guru)
3. Season For Change (Dawn Of The Season Mix) (Ronny Jordan f. Guru)
