The first three releases in the Guru ‘Jazzmatazz’ series, broken down into highlights and served up for your delectation with a couple of bonus cuts. His guests – vocal and instrumental – make a starry list, and in the former Erykah Badu, Kelis and The Roots especially draw the attention. Instrumentally Lonnie Liston Smith contributes some nice ivory work, and Ramsey Lewis and Courtney Pine also find their niche – though textures get a bit crowded at times in the Lewis collaboration. This is a good collection though, a respectful combination of styles that brings rap to the forefront but complements it with some imaginative elements of jazz and soul.
4 Out Of 5
Reviewed By: Ben Hogwood
