GURU - JAZZMATAZZ (Cargo - 11/04/09)

By this point I'm pretty sure you all know I've been a Guru fan for a while - the show at Carhartt really tainted my views of him as an artist and he truly failed to live up to my expectations. I was contemplating on not even going to see him at Cargo despite already having my ticket up on my wall - was it going to be worth giving him another chance? I mean fair-play it's a paid show and he wouldn't flop on people who'd already paid for their tickets (a sold out event) but what does that say about him as an artist - is he only in it for the money? 

So I swallowed my pride (how dramatic!!) and decided I couldn't let something so stupid stop me from a session of Jazzmatazz. I got in just as him and Solar were rehearsing, was pretty cool to see him practising on stage with his DJ (Doo Wop) & a 2 piece brass band. After an hour or so he returned to the stage - he came out with a whole lot of energy compared to last time at Carhartt - the crowd really loved him. He performed classics and new tracks from his Jazzmatazz collection from Loungin, Keep Your Worries, Jazzy Wayz needless to say, everyone was on a high - with a serious improvement on his first show. I for one was feeling every track ; from the Jazzmatazz to old Gang Starr Ex Girl To Next Girl, Above The Clouds & You Know My Steez (and you know I was so damn excited - because that's the first song that got me into Gang Starr many many years ago). Not forgetting his newest material from the 7 Grand label. 

So it's pretty fair to say that Guru stepped up his game from the Wednesday show and after meeting him he's a pretty cool dude, polite and was a true gentleman (kissing my hand and allsorts - lol) and he definitely did a show that showed off both his Gang Starr classics, those he did on the early Jazzmatazz albums and his newer material with producer Solar. But if there's one complaint I have about the whole performance it's that an artist as renowned as Guru most definitely does NOT need someone doing his ad-libs or backing vocals, Solar is cool for a producer and I'm really trying not to discredit his work or even their partnership but I don't really dig a next dude trying to spit Gang Starr bars - or  even Guru as a solo artist's bars. It might sound pedantic but the only person I wouldn't have minded hearing talk over Guru would've been the DJ, I'm sure it's part of their show to do it together, but Guru is strong enough as an artist not to need Solar backing his vocals. Simple as!

I can't forget to drop this, Guru had a hell of a lot more time for his fans at this show, with a massive plastic bag of CDs that he was selling and signing after the show and taking photos with people. It goes without saying that it was almost surreal seeing a member of a phenomenal hip hop group selling his own CDs for cash on stage, almost saddening, but hey, at least his money won't be going on drink or drugs (or meat for that matter lol). Plus there's nothing like some Guru 2009 memorabilia, and I'm a sucker for anything with a signature on it ; tickets, cd's cheques - bring it on!!

If I could have changed anything I'd ask for: 

1) A larger live band , the 2 piece brass band sounded amazing but add a little bit more and it really would have been unforgettable.

2)Solar to take a bit of a back seat, Guru doesn't need vocal support!

3)A few more Gang Starr tracks (Even though it was a Jazzmatazz affair) - it would have really made my night!!!

My Show Ratings:

Guru : 9/10

Solar : 5/10 

Live Music factor : 8/10 

GURU - LOST AND FOUND (Carhartt Store 08/04/09)

Think Guru - Think Gang Starr : Premo - ill beats - deep rhymes ; You know my steez???

Hip hop like everything else in this world evolves with time and as Premo and Guru went their separate ways  Guru explored and created Jazzmatazz "an experimental fusion of hip hop and jazz"  - some call it a poor cop out - but I love Jazzmatazz, it might not have the intricate Premo productions that brought Gang Starr into the limelight but there was something beautiful about Guru's jazz/hip hop fusion (and all other musicians that are known for making hybrid music, particularly from 87-now) - something that made Saturday nights at home listening to 'Trust Me', 'Certified'  or 'Guidance' satisfying and perfect after a tiring week. With his latest material on 7.0 and 8.0 straying from the Jazzmatazz vibe it would be fair to say Guru was moving on from his Jazz experimentalism , with him even saying that "It's necessary to get upgrades to keep real Hip Hop alive... 8.0 represents that next level growth.". 

I've really been waiting to see what Guru has to bring to the table in 2009 and after missing so many chances to see him live (along with so many other artists - but 2009 is the year to catch up!) that once I found out he had a show at Cargo performing Jazzmatazz I copped my ticket - and then when I saw he had a free show performing alongside Solar in the same week at the Carhartt Store (thanks to Charlee Brown @ Vision) - I'd hit the JACKPOT!!! Guru twice in a week? Damn, life is good!!

So the layout at the Carhartt store was ILL, the free energy drinks and beer had the crowd on a high especially with Mr Thing's  tune selection from Raekwon to Big L to MOP to Dead Prez  - Hip Hop was in the house.  Mystro was a wicked host - got us all vibing, laughing and enjoying the night.  The supporting acts got us on a roll with Scandal dropping some deep bars , Professor Green with sick beats especially 'Don't Let Go' (With the En Vogue sample) and a whole lot of stage presence (and a free copy of 'The Green EP')  that had me hyped up for Guru!!!! 

 I wasn't expecting too much,  it was free after all, it's a bit of a promotion for his new material and a treat for us Gang Starr/Guru fans - all I really thought we'd get was a Gang Starr medley and maybe 2 or 3 tracks?  Mass Appeal dropped and the crowd was raring for more - I was like 'this is what I need after a hard days work, Guru up in my face dropping bars to beats I've loved for years!' He dropped another two tracks , including Divine Rule from 8.0 and an accapella. Straight after he plugged his album name and  asked for us to cop it he stepped off stage...... BOOO's were heard within moments , who would think that a hip hop legend get that kind of response? And who would think he'd do a 5 minute show? 

I know 8.0 is called Lost and Found (and I'll definitely put up my review of it next week) - but for my first Guru show I LOST a little respect for him and FOUND some for the likes of Scandal , Professor Green, Mr Thing & Mystro who came HARD!!!

I hope he pulls it off at Cargo on Saturday!!!!

My Show Ratings :

 Guru = 5/10 

 

 Mr Thing = 10/10

 Scandal = 9/10

 Professor Green = 8/10

 Mystro = 9/10