Let a real mc show you how to rhyme... ASSHOLE.

(being a fan of the odd aside, the awkward moment and the divergent path I have to say that is my favorite guru line, for some reason.)

She wanted me to knock her
in the back of Foot Locker

(and that, from his song where he constructs a long metaphor from his stops at various stores in the mall, is my least favorite, because it is so stupid, which brings it around to being a great line, because it is so stupid.)

What about Code of the Streets, with that crazy transformer scratch, whee whick whacka whee whicka whacka!

Primo is a big genius, at the height of his powers he got this amazing perfect tone and crispness, like he was mastering the song in heaven. Such a big sound.

I'm looking for that song now.

Code of the Streets

I like when he describes his delivery on "Moment of Truth":

I reign as the articulator, with the greater data
Revolving on the Tascam, much doper than my last jam

and

The king of monotone, with my own throne
Righteously violent prone my words bring winds like cyclones

and the beginning of "The Planet" is my favorite ever:

Boom bash dash, I had to break, I had to getaway
Packed my bags to leave for good, it was a Monday
Kissed my mother, gave my pops a pound
Then he hugged me, and then he turned around
I threw the duffelbag over my shoulder
It was time to get props kid, cause now I'm older
Time to fend for myself jack
So I'm a go for mine, and maybe never come back

Check out Kings of Hip-Hop--the Mr. Thing disc is just a fairly standard hip-hop mix, but Premier rocks doubles of classic breaks, and it's amazing--he won't be confused with Roc Raida or anything, but it's great stuff. Like Kane, it's rough, rugged and real.

(Also, I haven't heard this recent Primo project yet, but I'm kinda curious. But what if it's like a whole album of skits, or like that DJ Shadow remix with dialogue from Heat?)

(Also also so, what's everybody think about those Jazzmatazz albums?)

I like the Solaar track on Jazzmatazz, but otherwise it doesn't seem like Guru has much to say on it, like he was saving all his dope rhymes for Gang Starr. Sounds like Brand New Heavies meets the Zulu Nation, with Guru phoning in the rhymes.

Yeah, I think that the Jazzmatazz albums have their moments, but 'phoned-in' is a pretty good summary.

As much as I'd like for it to be otherwise, appealing mixes of jazz and hip-hop are few and far between.

One of my favourites:

Who's gonna take the weight?

And ladies, these rhymes are like the keys to a dope car
Maybe a Lexus or a Jaguar
Still, all of that is just material
So won't you dig the scenario
And just imagine if each one is teachin' one
We'll come together so that we become
A strong force, then we can stay on course
Find your direction through introspection
And for my people out there I got a question
Can we be the sole controllers of our fate?
Now who's gonna take the weight?

On the subject of good jazz/hip hop/funk, let your ears enjoy the sound of Thelonious, the background track to this myspace page. As she mentions, they are sadly no longer together due to artistic differences.

Oh yell, I've been having a Gang Starr revival lately. Daily Operation and Step in the Arena are just brilliant.

box - I used to really like that Jazzmatazz stuff, but it got old after awhile. I haven't listened to it in ages though, so maybe it's time to revisit.

Give it another listen, hellbient--I'd be curious to see how well you think it's aged, especially if you were a big fan at the time.

(Also, and speaking of Gang Starr, I'm a big sucker for 'Beyond Comprehension.' 'The Weight' makes a heavy break.)

yeah, I will. It's actually been on my mind to listen to it again. I mostly know Vol. 1, but I've heard Vol.2 and that sounded good too.
Pretty much though, the guy could read his grocery list and I'd be into it.

Nice THX 1138 ref!