After the first 3 Gang Starr masterpieces, Keith bridged the gap between rap and jazz was a perfect combination.

Trk A2, A4, A5 and A6 Published by Ill Kid Music/ Gifted Pearl Music/ EMI April Music Inc. (ASCAP). The album combines a live jazz band performance with hip hop production and rapping. It features contributions from singers N'Dea Davenport, Carleen Anderson, Dee C Lee, French rapper MC Solaar, and musicians Simon Law, Branford Marsalis, Courtney Pine, Donald Byrd, Gary Barnacle, Lonnie Liston Smith, Ronny Jordan, Roy Ayers and Zachary Breaux. Guru – Jazzmatazz, Vol. 1". Sputnikmusic (album review). February 5, 2010 . Retrieved April 3, 2021. Offiziellecharts.de – Guru – Jazzmatazz Volume 1" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved August 19, 2022.All songs published by Ill Kid Music/ Gifted Pearl Music/ EMI April Music Inc. (ASCAP) except "When You're Near" and "Trust Me" published by Ill Kid Music/ Gifted Pearl Music/ EMI April Music Inc. (ASCAP)/ My Dog Luna Music (ASCAP) and "Sights In The City" published by Ill Kid Music/ Gifted Pearl Music/ EMI April Music Inc. (ASCAP)/ Leo Song (PRS) Guru’s vision saw inter-generational legends – Lonnie Liston Smith, Branford Marsalis, Ronny Jordan, Donald Byrd, Roy Ayers – unite in the live band. The album also features vocal collaborations with Carleen Anderson, N’Dea Davenport (of the Brand New Heavies), Dee C Lee and French rapper MC Solaar. Songs with special arrangements: "No Time To Play" includes portions of "Satin Soul" written by Barry White and published by Savette Music, Inc/ Unichappell Music, Inc. (BMI). Satin Soul performed by Barry White, used under license from Polygram Special Markets. Goods that are faulty or sent in error must be returned to Crash Records Limited, 35 The Headrow, Leeds, LS1 6PU within 7 working days of the item being received by the customer. Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010 (PDFed.). Mt Martha, Victoria, Australia: Moonlight Publishing. p.122.

Features Lonnie Liston Smith on acoustic and electric pianos. Though many Hip Hop artists have sampled Lonnie Liston Smith's records, Guru one-ups them by actually having the musician himself play on his record. The rhythmic swing in his piano playing here induces lots of head nodding.Ferguson, Kate (June 24, 1993). "Guru: Jazzmatazz: An Experimental Fusion of Hip-Hop and Jazz (Volume 1)". Rolling Stone. No.659. p.83. Trk B6 Published by Ill Kid Music/ Gifted Pearl Music/ EMI April Music Inc. (ASCAP)/ Leo Song (PRS).

Features Donald Byrd on trumpet and piano. The boom-bap beat blends seamlessly with Byrd's relaxing trumpet notes. When listening you can close your eyes and imagine sitting in a smoky jazz club and mellowing out to this amazing music. Some critics say that Guru's lyrics are too simplistic, however I believe the simplicity is equal parts accessible and deceptively complex. Guru himself said it's “mostly the voice” that matters, meaning his amazing tone, delivery and cadence. On those merits he excels with his vocal work. There are also interesting conversations between Guru and Donald Byrd embedded in the song about the music industry. Kot, Greg (June 17, 1993). "Recordings ... Jazzmatazz Vol. 1 (Chrysalis) ★★ Greg Osby 3-D". Home Entertainment. Recordings. Chicago Tribune. Vol.147, no.168 (North Sport Finaled.). p.7 (section 5; Tempo). ISSN 1085-6706 . Retrieved April 3, 2021. ProQuest 283496136, 283488063, 283488063 (US Newsstream database) (subscription required). Christgau, Robert. "Robert Christgau: CG: Guru". www.robertchristgau.com . Retrieved April 3, 2021. The formula for the most part works well. Guru works really well with these jazz-centered beats. His monotone and his wisdom are only ever complemented by the jazz. So, The King of Monotone got some assistance on his sleeve - Donald Byrd, Simon Law, MC Solaar (not Guru's current producer Solar), Lonnie Liston Smith, Branford Marsalis, Ronny Jordan, D.C. Lee, Gary Barnacle, Courtney Pine, Carleen Anderson, Brand New Heavies' vocalist N'Dea Davenport, Zachary Breaux, and his Gang Starr colleague Big Shug. Very mix of hip hop flows and smooth jazzy beats was that combination. In '93, Jazz-Rap artists like Digable Planets' debut Reachin was that jazz-rap fusion along with De La Soul's Buhloone Mind State, Souls of Mischief's 93 til Infinity and Tribe's Midnight Marauders. Roy Ayers did his great work on "Take A Look At Yourself". The Year in Music" (PDF). Billboard. Vol.105, no.52. December 25, 1993. p.YE-28 . Retrieved June 3, 2021– via World Radio History (worldradiohistory.com).Trk A3 published by Ill Kid Music/ Gifted Pearl Music/ EMI April Music Inc. (ASCAP)/ My Dog Luna Music (ASCAP). Features Gary Barnacle on sax and flute. It's so fresh to hear a flutist soloing underneath an emcee rapping. These fusion elements are what make Jazzmatazz so unique and valuable.