T.R.O.Y.

Posted: 27 Apr 2009 02:00 PM PDT

Over the weekend I found myself listening to these random tracks for no rhyme or reason. So with that I came up with this little mix conveniently titled No Rhyme Or Reason. Hopefully some of you will put this to good use. --Philaflava

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T.R.O.Y. Presents - No Rhyme Or Reason

1. Geto Boys - Gangsta of Love
2. Above The Law - Game Wreck-Oniz-Iz Game feat. Eazy-E
3. Grand Daddy I.U. - Don't Stress Me
4. Sha'Dasious - Da Whole Shabang feat. Ram Squad, 50 Grand & Task 4rce
5. Max & Sam - Young Man Rumble (Smooth Philly Style Mix)
6. Punk Barbarians - Eclipsin' Niggas
7. Ras Kass - Remain Anonymous
8. Aceyalone - The Faces
9. Souls of Mischief - Rock It Like That
10. People Under The Stairs - Acid Raindrops
11. InI - What You Say
12. Red Foo & Dre Kroon - The Freshest feat. Evidence
13. Mike Zoot - Service
14. Raidermen - Strategy feat. Natural Elements, Lace Da Boom & Mike Zoot

Stay tuned for the May edition of Sounds Like The 90's...

Diggin' On Jazzmatazz

Posted: 27 Apr 2009 03:00 AM PDT

The Jazzmatazz projects were the brainchild of Guru and started back in 1993. He was involved in much of the coordination and arrangement. Jazzmatazz was ground-breaking on many accounts. It was not the first time that live instruments and hip hop beats were put together. However it was and still is one of the most successful blends of jazz and hip hop that ever happened. Yes, there were other groups doing similar things at the time but the lasting power of the Jazzmatazz projects is without question. Groups like Greyboy, The Solsonics, and Bill Laswells 'Bluescreen' also combined live jazz-oriented instrumentation with hip hop beats. One primary difference was the ensemble approach of Jazzmatazz. Perhaps the most famous musicians to participate were Donald Byrd and Roy Ayers, both of whom had long and storied careers prior to 1993. To most educated heads they need little introduction. At least 10 other artists were featured on volume one alone though. The breadth of scope and the number of musicians would have been a potential cause for inconsistency had it not been for the vision and oversight from Guru. More than a decade later Jazzmatazz is still one of my favorite groups. Included in my post today are the instrumentals for both albums as well as the albums themselves. I wanted to highlight the instrumentals because they are unique and creative. The remixes are a part of this too. They are dope and deserve as much shine as the albums themselves. You'll notice volume 3 was left out. Why? Er.. let's not go there. Guru should have left well enough alone after volume two was finished but sometimes too much of a good thing thins the broth and dries out the tobacco.

volume one
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=KIVSH7SW

01 Loungin
02 When You´re Near
03 Transit Ride
04 No Time To Play
05 Down The Backstreets
06 Take A Look
07 Trust Me
08 Slicker Than Most
09 Le Bien, Le Mal
10 Sights In The City

volume one instrumentals
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=DEXBG6YU

volume two
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=X54N1IBP

01 Intro (Light It Up) / Jazzalude I / New Reality Style
02 Lifesaver
03 Living In This World
04 Looking Through Darkness
05 Skit A (Interview) / Watch What You Say
06 Jazzalude II / Defining Purpose
07 For You
08 Insert A (Mental Relaxation) Medicine
09 Lost Souls
10 Insert B (The Real Deal) / Nobody Knows
11 Jazzalude III / Hip Hop As A Way Of Life
12 Respect The Architect
13 Feel The Music
14 Young Ladies
15 The Traveler
16 Jazzalude IV / Maintaining Focus
17 Count Your Blessings
18 Choice Of Weapons
19 Something In The Past
20 Skit B (Alot On My Mind) / Revelation

volume two instrumentals
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=2S0GH0PE

the remixes
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=M0SMJYHD

01 Respect The Architect (Buckwild Remix)
02 Respect The Architect (Instrumental)
03 Watch What You Say (Chucky Remix)
04 Watch What You Say (C.j. Remix)
05 Momentum (Instrumental)
06 Loungin' (Square Biz Mix)
07 Loungin' (Guru Meets The Professor Mix)
08 No Time To Play (C.j. Longer Radio Mix)
09 Trust Me (Mackapella)
10 Le Bien, Le Mal (Instrumental)

--Schenectadyfan