Guru's Jazzmatazz, Vol. 2: The New Reality

Jazzmatazz, Volume II: The New Reality
Studio album by
ReleasedJuly 18, 1995 (1995-07-18)
Recorded19941995
StudioMain sessions
  • D&D Studios (New York City)
  • Firehouse Studio (New York City)

Additional sessions


  • Platinum Island Studios (New York City)
  • Matrix Studios (London, UK)
  • Echo Studios (Los Angeles)
  • Unique Studios (New York City)
  • EMI Studios (London, UK)
  • The Hit Factory (New York City)
  • Brooklyn Sound (Los Angeles)
Genre
Length73:53
LabelChrysalis
Producer
Guru chronology
Jazzmatazz, Vol. 1
(1993)
Jazzmatazz, Volume II: The New Reality
(1995)
Jazzmatazz, Vol. 3: Streetsoul
(2000)
Singles from Jazzmatazz Volume II (The New Reality)
  1. "Watch What You Say"
    Released: 1995
  2. "Feel the Music"
    Released: 1995
  3. "Lifesaver"
    Released: 1996
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music
Los Angeles Times
Muzik
(The New) Rolling Stone Album Guide
The Source
Spin7/10

Jazzmatazz, Volume II (The New Reality) is the second solo studio album by American hip-hop musician Guru. It was released on July 18, 1995, through Chrysalis Records as the second installment of the rapper's Jazzmatazz album series.

The recording sessions took place at D&D Studios and at Firehouse Studio in New York, with additional recording at Platinum Island Studios, Unique Studios and The Hit Factory in New York, at Matrix Studios and EMI Studios in London, and at Echo Studios and Brooklyn Sound in Los Angeles. The album was produced by Guru, the Solsonics, Carlos Bess, DJ Premier, Mark Sparks, Nikke Nicole, and True Master.

It features a large number of contributors, including Big Shug, Branford Marsalis, Courtney Pine, Dee C Lee, Donald Byrd, and Ronny Jordan, who previously appeared on the first Jazzmatazz album, as well as Bahamadia, drummer Bernard Purdie, Chaka Khan, Freddie Hubbard, Ini Kamoze, Jamiroquai, Kenny Garrett, Kool Keith, Lucien Revolucien, Meshell Ndegeocello, Mica Paris, Ramsey Lewis, Reuben Wilson, and Shara Nelson.

In the United States, the album peaked at number 71 on the Billboard 200 and number 16 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums.

The album also peaked at No. 8 on the Swiss Hitparade, at No. 12 on the UK Albums Chart (also No. 2 on the UK R&B Albums Chart), at No. 19 on the Sverigetopplistan, at No. 24 on the Offizielle Top 100, at No. 25 on the Official New Zealand Albums Chart, at No. 28 on the Ö3 Austria Top 40, at No. 30 on the Dutch Album Top 100 and at No. 39 on the ARIA Albums Chart.