(Jazz McDuff)

I’ll tell you one thing, I’m a complete sucker for jazz albums, whether that be hip hop or otherwise, so when I saw this album cover, track list, and album name, it got me intrigued, so I had to check it out, and thank goodness I did because this thing was a blast!

This is the latest beat tape by producer ‘Jazzy Lion Man’, a man I first became aware of with his wrestling-themed album ‘Jazzy Fatu’ and since have covered a few of these albums, but as someone as frequent as he is, it’s impossible to get through everything, but this is the one that stood out to me! 

It’s an 11-track, 20-minute project that’s heavily based on jazz instrumentation and themes.

From the very first track, you have that classic ‘John Coltrane’-sounding feel to those beautifully crafted horns and old-school hip hop pattern. This feels like a track that would be perfect for a band like ‘A Tribe Called Quest’ to go off on!

As the album continues, it has small talk interludes that remind me of the layout of Madlib’s ‘A Shade of Blue’, how he had different Bluenote affiliates discussing the history of the label! 

This gives me the same vibe!

As the music continues, each song has its own jazz personality and characteristics. Each representing a different era and subgenre of jazz. Whether you’re talking about the 

-Traditional jazz

-Bebop

-Avant-garde jazz

-Acid jazz

-Free funk/jazz

-Jazz blues, and so on.

My main three favourites in jazz have always been Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock, and John Coltrane, and this album (among many others) showcases what I feel are homages paid to those legends in one way or another.

I can hear it in the tempos, the jazz fusion sounds, the stylistic choices, and more. This album is meant to be a love letter to the golden era combined with the elements of hip hop to create a fresh, atmospheric jazz extravaganza that is perfect for any occasion!

Again, I’m a complete sucker for jazz. I hope Jazzy Lion Man will continue production like this going forward because he does a fucking amazing job!

https://open.spotify.com/album/5TLhsdEMqQOeUCBp35fnld?si=2VAqfLinR0qTOr-vT0TQ6A