one for the GURU Cookin Soul Art Square
This weekend will mark five years since the gone-too-soon passing of expert MC Guru, whose work has always been credited as pushing the hip-hop art form forward just as it reinforced its connection to the jazz and funk from whence it came. Guru was arguably everything one could hope for in a rapper--a brilliant writer who used his command of language to spin sharp lines that called for deeper thinking and an elevated collective consciousness. Yes, Guru was deeply to progress, and it wouldn't be too much of a stretch to call him a "conscious rapper," but the MC's songs never came off as preachy--few could rep their own steeze (or deal a cold dis) better than he.
Tomorrow (April 19th) is the anniversary of Guru's death, and Spanish beatsmiths Cookin' Soul have just released a brand new track that pays tribute to his keen ear and remarkable character. Entitled "One For The GURU," t's a mostly instrumental hip-hop cut that's laced with bass and piano, recalling Guru's work on the Jazzmatazz albums. Cookin' Soul has spliced in lines from the Gang Starr classic "Mostly Tha Voice," along with a few brief interview quotes. But mostly, it's an instrumental affair, and the open space of "One For The GURU" leaves ample room for us to sit back and remember Guru in our own personal, preferred ways. Guru was an artist who had something to offer everyone. We'll truly miss him forever--press play and raise one up.
