Guru

Jazzmatazz Streetsoul (Virgin)

Albums like Guru's Jazzmatazz Streetsoul make it hard to cram music into genres like hip-hop or blues or jazz or rock. The album announces its intentions right from the intro to the first track: "This joint here is one of the hottest blends of hip-hop, soul, R&B and jazz ever, defining a whole new style of music."

From this statement alone, you might think Guru, the vocal half of the hip-hop group Gang Starr, is overly arrogant regarding his third Jazzmatazz project. But the music that follows the man's initial words more than backs him up. Guru has collaborated with some phenomenal and diverse artists in order to create this fusion of hip-hop and other genres. Erykah Badu's soulful voice laughs and dances around Guru's rap in the jazzy song "Plenty." In contrast, "Lift Your Fist" with the Roots is Philly hip-hop with an attitude. All in all, you will find yourself nodding your head, swaying your hips and throwing up your arms to the chill beats and sweet voices in Streetsoul. No surprise the man calls himself Guru. A- -Nicole A. Raspa

The Beautiful South

Painting it Red (ARK 21)