Guru

Watch the new video "Who Got it On Lock"
7 Grand Records "The Movement"
Guru's Jazzmatazz the Mixtape: The Timebomb (Back To The Future)
IN STORES NOW
Tracklist:
01 Intro (Don Gurizzy)
02 Knowledge ft. Lord Tariq
03 7 Grand Ya'll ft. Solar
04 For Ya Mind ft. Zion I
05 Peace! ft. K-Born, Highpower & Solar
06 State of Clarity ft. Common (Solar Remix)
07 Who Got It On Lock ft. Doo Wop
08 B-Boy Kamikaze ft. Tony Touch & Doo Wop (Diaz Brothers)
09 Too Slick ft. Yungun
10 So What It Do Now ft. Aceyalone
11 We Got That ft. Nature & Solar
12 Jazzy Wayz (7 Grand Exclusive)
13 Stand Up (Some Things'll Never Change) (Reggae Mix) ft. Damian Marley
14 Hot Like That ft. Medinah
15 No Need for Stress
16 Back to the Future ft. Caron Wheeler & C.Knowledge (Digable)
17 Assasino ft. Young Pablo
18 The Game Needs Me ft. Blue Scholars & Common Market
19 Feed the Hungry (Solar Remix)
20 Can't Stop the Movement (7 Grand) ft. Ms. Camille
Jazzmatazz vol.4:
The hip hop jazz messenger: "Back to the Future"
In Stores Now

“This album is the absolute embodiment of the growing maturity of Hip Hop music. It is not only a great album for rap in 2007, but a success by any musical standards that should be in any music fan's collection.”- RapReviews.com
GURU’s JAZZMATAZZ vol.4 THE HIP HOP JAZZ MESSENGER: “BACK TO THE FUTURE”PRODUCED BY SUPERPRODUCER SOLAR“Since the inception of Jazzmatazz, one of the main focuses has been that it has something for every generation and music lover. It’s timeless. When we enter into these projects we’re working with artists that are relevant and it provides for that fresh new territory,” says Guru, the voice and foundation of the series, who is about to offer the world Jazzmatazz Volume 4 The Hip Hop Jazz Messenger: “Back To the Future.”While Volume 4 gives you all that goodness you’ve come to expect from this revered catalog, the message on the newest release may just be independence and freedom. This album comes to us when the future gleams so brightly and the past is a legacy due largely to the stellar partnership of Guru with “SuperProducer” and fellow New Yorker, Solar, whose very name is the definition of the sun, light and heat.“With this album in particular, the fact that the production is done by Solar is an even more contemporary statement,” says Guru.“It’s a futuristic sound,” says Solar, who studied the origins and social implications of jazz in America, which informed his production with a depth and richness that is unprecedented. “I’m forward thinking,” admits Solar, whose style references classics such as “Summer Breeze,” paying homage while still putting a subtle, soulful and modern spin on these songs—evoking an effect that is at once comfortable, soothing and familiar but also new, fresh and fly. Melded with Guru’s laid-back, cool and confident flow, it’s a complementary match of creative talent and wits that simply soars to new heights.Planting their partnership even deeper on hip-hop’s ground, Guru and Solar started their own label that’s a direct result of the liberation from the big gun record labels that once ruled over their creative decisions and stifled artistic progress. Enter 7 Grand Records, which Solar says was named for being “larger than its own entity. Classy, but not overstated—and elegant.” The two friends and business partners, who came from varied backgrounds but found common ground in music, aren’t afraid of leading moral, anti-materialistic lives. Juxtaposed with the bling-bling attitudes of others in the hip-hop game, Guru and Solar are proud to set a higher spiritual standard. “We’re the moral gangstas,” laughs Solar.Many talented friends also come through on Jazzmatazz Volume 4 to bless the record and be a part of its tradition. Slum Village, Common, Blackalicious, among many others lend their unique voices and styles to record. “Stand Up (Some Things’ll Never Change)” features Damian Marley, one of the joint’s stand out tracks that helps to set the whole project ablaze. All gets ignited when Jazzmatazz Volume 4 The Hip Hop Jazz Messenger: “Back To the Future.” hits streets early summer, 2007. Make sure to wear your sunglasses for this one!TRACK LISTING:1. Cuz I’m Jazzy – feat: Slum Village 2. State Of Clarity – feat: Common and Bob James 3. Stand Up (Some Things’ll Never Change) – feat: Damian Marley 4. Look To The Sun (Solar) 5. Connection – feat: Kem 6. Fine and Free – feat: Vivian Green 7. Wait On Me – feat: Raheem DeVaughn 8. International – feat: Bobby Valentino 9. This Is Art – feat: Ronny Laws 10. Fly Magnetic – feat: Dionne Farris 11. The Jazz – Style feat: Omar 12. Follow The Signs – feat: Shelley Harland 13. Universal Struggle – feat: Brownman 14. Infinite – feat: Blackalicious 15. Kissed The World – feat: Caron Wheeler 16. Living Legend – feat: David Sanborn
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For all DJ/Radio requests please contact [email protected]
7 GRAND RECORDS ANNOUNCES THE RELEASE OF GURU’S JAZZMATAZZ: THE TIMEBOMB/BACK TO THE FUTURE MIXTAPE FEATURING DAMIAN MARLEY, LORD TARIQ, ZION I, COMMON, DOO WOP, TONY TOUCH, ACEYALONE, NATURE, K-BORN, HIGH POWER, MR. LIF, AND MORE…
- PRODUCED BY SUPERPRODUCER SOLAR HOSTED BY THE MIXTAPE LEGEND DJ DOO WOP.
(7 Grand Records, New York, NY January 3, 2008) – Fresh off an international tour, Guru, super-producer, Solar, and 7 Grand Records announce the February 2008 release of Guru’s Jazzmatazz: The Timebomb/Back To The Future Mixtape, the “raw” companion to the Jazzmatazz Vol. 4 album. The Mixtape carefully and superbly crafted by Superproducer Solar exhibits the “Golden Era” New York essence along with a cutting edge futuristic twist! Hence the title, “Back To The Future.”
The tracks are pure “bangers” and the guest appearances are classic as they compliment Guru’s iconic yet streetwise vocals! The MC’s selected represent the best of America’s true Hip Hop artists that hail from the “Underground” scene that Guru has remained so true to. There are features such as reggae artist Damian Marley, Aceyalone and Zion I from the West Coast, Blue Scholars from Seattle, Mr. Lif from Boston, Yungun from London, as well as legends Lord Tariq from the Bronx, Nature from Queensbridge, C. Knowledge from Digable Planets and Tony Touch to name a few. The album also features up-and-coming 7 Grand Records artists K. Born & Highpower from Philadelphia and Young Pablo from Paterson, New Jersey. This is no ordinary mixtape CD as it is hosted by the Mixtape King himself, DJ Doo Wop, who is featured on a couple of tracks.
“Since the inception of Jazzmatazz, one of our main focuses has been to create music for every generation, for the music lover. The Jazzmatazz series has always been about charting new territories, blurring genre lines, and collaborating with artists to create music that’s timeless and relevant.”
With a career that spans over a decade and one that is now eleven-LP’s deep, Guru has been able to stay relevant when many of his counterparts have faded into the background. Now with a musical and business partnership in full motion with Solar, and the formation of their new label, 7 Grand, Guru feels even more reinvigorated. “7 Grand Records allows me not only to be creative, but to finally be in control of my creativity. Between us you've got a legendary spitter that’s still hungry and still relevant, teamed up with the hottest New York producer in the game, which makes for a musical vision that is powerfully important and virtually unstoppable.” Solar adds, “7 Grand Records is the epitome of what great NY Hip-Hop represents taken to the new millennium and beyond! Now in control of our own label, we’re free to introduce forward-thinking Hip-Hop concepts to the masses,” explains Solar.
In the past, Guru’s Jazzmatazz endeavors have enabled him to collaborate with a who’s who list of legendary musical icons including Roy Ayers, Donald Byrd, Chaka Khan, Isaac Hayes, Herbie Hancock, Branford Marsalis and popular cross-over favorites including Macy Gray, The Roots, Erykah Badu and Angie Stone. When asked how he has been able stay such a viable force in the music industry Guru states matter of factly “be honest with yourself, be original, be open to criticism and don’t be afraid to reinvent and recreate yourself.”
With Guru’s Jazzmatazz Volume 4: The Hip-Hop Messenger (Back To The Future) and it’s companion mixtape Guru’s Jazzmatazz: The Time Bomb (Back To The Future Mixtape), Guru and Solar have delivered another fresh approach, one that's not only an interesting attempt at boundary-crossing but also a compelling enough to bridge the jazz, hip-hop & soul enthusiast all at the same time
ABOUT 7 GRAND RECORDS
7 Grand Records are dedicated to the art of hip-hop and beyond. Whether it's providing an outlet for challenging and stimulating music or releasing records with high artistic value, Guru and Solar are committed to providing an independent outlet for highly creative and uncompromising art. For more information about 7 Grand Records please visit:
http://www.myspace.com/gurusjazzmatazz
http://www.myspace.com/guru7grand
http://www.myspace.com/solar7grand
http://www.guru7grand.net

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LINKS
Beatbroker - http://beatbroker.com.au/
"Guru takes the cake as the realest MC ever. 7.0 is yet another piece of evidence to prove his case. In Hood Dreamin’, Guru captures everything every rapper ever wants in one song, in one song. Think about it, EVERYONE is hood dreamin’. Everyone who hasn’t made it, even the people who have. It’s just like some people get it, and some people don’t. Guru has brought something real in a time of musical drought. Spread the Truth, Guru is the best MC of all time". - source http://www.hipghopgalaxy.com
Rap Attack Chart Position (www.rapattacklives.com)
jul 31 2007 - charts 290 - top 30:
position 1 - Guru ft. Common "'State of Clarity"- 7 Grand
jul 31 2007 - charts 290 - top 5 mixtape:
position 1 - Guru ft. Common "'State of Clarity"- 7 Grand
Guru's Jazzmatazz vol.4 - 'Back to the Future' / rapreviews author: Arthur GailesIf practice truly makes perfect, it makes sense that Guru, one half of one of Hip Hop's most respected groups (Gangstarr with DJ Premier), would be well on the way to perfection. In a genre where most careers are finished after their first two albums, "Jazzmatazz 4" is the twelfth album where Guru has functioned as the lead MC. Nearly a twenty year Hip Hop veteran, Guru has had a lifetime of practice. So after nearly twenty years of making albums, what does Guru have left in him?As best put by the man himself on "Connection," "I'm like lightning when I'm writing, I strike perfection." On "Jazzmatazz 4," Guru has turned in the best performance of his career. While his delivery has stayed much the same throughout his career, his lyrics have constantly evolved, from his complex rhyme schemes in "Step In the Arena" to more simple, profound styles in albums like "Streetsoul." Here, he has stopped experimenting with new styles in favor of perfecting old ones, and it pays off tremendously. Guru runs this album like an anthology, melding together the best of his efforts into one magnificent package.Despite spending his entire flowing in a low-key that toes the line between melodic and monotonous, Guru has spent his entire career stretching the definition of what a rapper can do musically. Whether setting trends with DJ Premier or merging rap with jazz and soul in his Jazzmatazz series, Guru has a knack for recognizing the cutting edge of Hip Hop music. For "Jazzmatazz 4," Guru has employed Solar for their second album together ("Street Scriptures 7.0").While he under whelmed many with "Street Scriptures," Solar's production has been elevated tremendously. The Jazzmatazz moniker seems to have given him a focus for his talents; his production here arguably outstrips even Guru's rhymes. While previous Jazzmatazz albums have always been slightly awkward, seeming to force together separate genres, Solar blends rap, jazz, soul, and even funk and reggae seamlessly to create the best sounding Jazzmatazz album yet.As easy to flow over as any rap music, and as smooth as the other genres, Solar provides Guru with the perfect accompaniment to his smooth, laid back rhymes. As a result, Guru sounds better than he has in over a decade, and he takes full advantage of the amazing music provided here. Anybody doubting his hunger after so much success merely has to listen to him massacre the swinging drums and horns of "This is Art" to know Guru is as potent as ever. And though he is more than capable of carrying a song on his own, he reaches even greater heights when standing next to other great rappers. Lead single "State of Clarity" is the apex of the album, as Guru and Common blaze through Solar's best beat.[Common] "My mind blows incisions, at times indecisive Keep my head to the sky to understand what Chris is Turn off the news, 'cause everyday is a crisis Lifeless niggas one the couch, weeded out It's certain type of shit about my life, weed it out I believe in the route, of soul before paper No gold before labor, truth told with no blazers [...] It's the Chi that be giving me my ground Dug in the crates of my soul and I found... Clarity..." [Guru] "Toiled in the trenches, faced judges on benches Betrayed by some that I dared not to mention Standing here now in the best condition Up out of the dirt so I suggest you listen See, money can't make you and me Protect my mind with nines, 'cause it shines more than jewelry Used to do things that weren't too productive Now I breathe life into mikes for your comfort..."Common isn't the only rapper Guru collaborates with. He creates pure magic with Blackalicious' Gift of Gab, and his rhyme heavy verse absolute destroys Slum Village: "your cause is conflicted, the applause is restricted, to idiots, so pity, yes; oh the laws are so wicked." He doesn't only collaborate with rappers though, every track has some singer or musician working on the background. This doesn't hurt the album, as Guru and Solar are easily consistent enough to keep a unified sound. Rather, the many guests serve only to enhance the already incredibly smooth sound of the album.As good and creative as it is, "Jazzmatazz 4" isn't without its flaws. For many rap fans, it will simply come across as boring. The music is very sound, but it's laid back enough that much come off as unexciting. Also, Guru, while on top of his game here, does tend to fall back on talking about how good he is a little too much. He does it with skill, displaying the cutting edge of his technique, so it's not a problem for the individual songs. But when his boasting makes up nearly half the album, it can begin to be uninteresting"Jazzmatazz 4" is overall an excellent album that displays the full talents of the individuals involved. The chemistry of Guru and Solar shouldn't be compared to that of Gangstarr; they have a greatness that is entirely their own. This album is the absolute embodiment of the growing maturity of Hip Hop music. It is not only a great album for rap in 2007, but a success by any musical standards that should be in any music fan's collection.Music Vibes: 9 of 10 Lyric Vibes: 9 of 10 TOTAL Vibes: 9 of 10rapreviews.com 10 July 2007