Guru’s ‘Jazzmatazz Vol. 1′ Gets 25th Anniversary 3-LP Deluxe Vinyl Reissue

Guru helped usher in a new era of hip-hop and jazz fusion with his innovative album, Jazzmatazz Vol. 1. The Jazzmatazz series is among the most beloved works in hip-hop, further establishing the late artist's influence in hip-hop.

"There's similarities in the grooves," Guru said of the two art forms in a 1994 interview with Rap City. "Like if you listen to a jazz record, a lot of times you can hear hip-hop sort of drum beats in there, somewhere. Young rap producers now are looking for obscure jazz records because they have that groove in there that you can find, and I think it creates atmosphere with the rap music. And it's funny because, like, rock-and-roll with rap didn't last as long because it wasn't as much you could do with it, whereas with jazz, there's a lot you can do with it."

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. The project is packaged in a custom slipcase, and each LP comes in its own unique sleeve and includes a 12-page, 12×12 glossy booklet with photos by photographer Thierry Le Goues. Purchase it it here.

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