Post by AggieMike on May 6, 2007 11:48:34 GMT -5
DJ Jazzy Jeff
The Return of the Magnificent EP
By Mike McCray
It’s easy to say the game forget about DJ Jazzy Jeff. He was the man who propelled Will Smith, pre-Independence Day, into the national spotlight with hits like “Parent’s Just Don’t Understand” and “Summertime” and syndication sweetheart “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” where he often stole every scene he was in.
It’s been five years since Jazzy Jeff’s last album, “The Magnificent,” and 17 (makes you feel old right?) since he and The Fresh Prince release their Grammy Award Winning, “He’s The DJ and I’m The Rapper.”
“The Magnificent” has managed to stay busy in all the downtime in between, keeping his hands in the music industry with his Philadelphia based Hidden Beach Recordings and Touch of Jazz recording studio that has produced Philadelphia renaissance and Neo-Soul artists Jill Scott, Floetry and Musiq Soulchild, without neglecting classic Philly talent like Boyz II Men and old friends in Will Smith and Tatyana Ali.
Jazzy Jeff’s latest offering comes at an interesting time. Hip-Hop, in the midst of an Elvis-esque death and a 2Pac resurrection where people are taking sides on the whether it’s alive and kicking or in fact six feet under.
“The Return of the Magnificent” is pure hip-hop with modern twist. No snapping, popping, leaning or rocking but clever lyricism and beats that have a classic feel that will take old heads back and keep young listeners entertained. In typical Jazzy Jeff fashion, he sticks to being the DJ and let’s the rappers take the spotlight with guest appearances from back in the day artists, Big Daddy Kane and Method Man, then up and coming MC’s Rhymefest, Jean Grae and a host of homegrown Philly artists to make the album complete.
Intros, outros and skits that are funny because they’re true, poke fun at today’s radio and how no matter how hard he tries he can’t escape the Fresh Prince stigma (even in this article) of people asking him, “Where Will Smith at?” And of course Jazz’s voice that makes you reminisce of Uncle Phil throwing him out of the Banks mansion in 1992.
This album more than makes up for DJ Jazzy Jeff’s highly unnoticed and House driven 2002 release and comes at a perfect time where people are looking to go back to “simpler” days of hip-hop. Who better to take them there than “The Magnificent.”
Notable Tracks:
- The Garden (Featuring Big Daddy Kane) –
- Hold It Down (Featuring Method Man) – Jazzy Jeff let’s loose on the tables like he’s Q in Juice, Method Man spits a mature verse with the
- Supa Jean (Featuring Jean Grae) –
- Practice (Featuring J Live) – Clever sample of Allen Iverson’s infamous “Practice” rant.
- All I Know (Featuring CL Smooth) – A laid back track with simple drums and Monk-like piano.
- My Soul Ain’t For Sale (Featuring Raheem DeVaughn) – Already in play on urban radio, a perfect
- Come On (Featuring Dave Ghetto) – The Camden, N.J. artist blazes this “You’re All I Need (To Get By)” rip.
The others:
Go See The Doctor 2k7 (Featuring Twone Gabz) – Remake of a classic that's not bad but not great, Slick Rick style delivery in some spots, hilarious but sadly awkward conversation between Jeff and Will Smith on the end makes it go from so-so to good.
4 out of 5
A much needed break from the South, no offense. Maybe not instant classic but could be a turning point as the game swings around to its next hot spot
WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE JAZZY JEFF TRACK OF ALL-TIME?
I didn't send this to an copy editor yet so I apologize for any mistakes that might be here
The Return of the Magnificent EP
By Mike McCray
It’s easy to say the game forget about DJ Jazzy Jeff. He was the man who propelled Will Smith, pre-Independence Day, into the national spotlight with hits like “Parent’s Just Don’t Understand” and “Summertime” and syndication sweetheart “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” where he often stole every scene he was in.
It’s been five years since Jazzy Jeff’s last album, “The Magnificent,” and 17 (makes you feel old right?) since he and The Fresh Prince release their Grammy Award Winning, “He’s The DJ and I’m The Rapper.”
“The Magnificent” has managed to stay busy in all the downtime in between, keeping his hands in the music industry with his Philadelphia based Hidden Beach Recordings and Touch of Jazz recording studio that has produced Philadelphia renaissance and Neo-Soul artists Jill Scott, Floetry and Musiq Soulchild, without neglecting classic Philly talent like Boyz II Men and old friends in Will Smith and Tatyana Ali.
Jazzy Jeff’s latest offering comes at an interesting time. Hip-Hop, in the midst of an Elvis-esque death and a 2Pac resurrection where people are taking sides on the whether it’s alive and kicking or in fact six feet under.
“The Return of the Magnificent” is pure hip-hop with modern twist. No snapping, popping, leaning or rocking but clever lyricism and beats that have a classic feel that will take old heads back and keep young listeners entertained. In typical Jazzy Jeff fashion, he sticks to being the DJ and let’s the rappers take the spotlight with guest appearances from back in the day artists, Big Daddy Kane and Method Man, then up and coming MC’s Rhymefest, Jean Grae and a host of homegrown Philly artists to make the album complete.
Intros, outros and skits that are funny because they’re true, poke fun at today’s radio and how no matter how hard he tries he can’t escape the Fresh Prince stigma (even in this article) of people asking him, “Where Will Smith at?” And of course Jazz’s voice that makes you reminisce of Uncle Phil throwing him out of the Banks mansion in 1992.
This album more than makes up for DJ Jazzy Jeff’s highly unnoticed and House driven 2002 release and comes at a perfect time where people are looking to go back to “simpler” days of hip-hop. Who better to take them there than “The Magnificent.”
Notable Tracks:
- The Garden (Featuring Big Daddy Kane) –
- Hold It Down (Featuring Method Man) – Jazzy Jeff let’s loose on the tables like he’s Q in Juice, Method Man spits a mature verse with the
- Supa Jean (Featuring Jean Grae) –
- Practice (Featuring J Live) – Clever sample of Allen Iverson’s infamous “Practice” rant.
- All I Know (Featuring CL Smooth) – A laid back track with simple drums and Monk-like piano.
- My Soul Ain’t For Sale (Featuring Raheem DeVaughn) – Already in play on urban radio, a perfect
- Come On (Featuring Dave Ghetto) – The Camden, N.J. artist blazes this “You’re All I Need (To Get By)” rip.
The others:
Go See The Doctor 2k7 (Featuring Twone Gabz) – Remake of a classic that's not bad but not great, Slick Rick style delivery in some spots, hilarious but sadly awkward conversation between Jeff and Will Smith on the end makes it go from so-so to good.
4 out of 5
A much needed break from the South, no offense. Maybe not instant classic but could be a turning point as the game swings around to its next hot spot
WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE JAZZY JEFF TRACK OF ALL-TIME?
I didn't send this to an copy editor yet so I apologize for any mistakes that might be here
