He's the DJ... Who needs a Rapper?

10 years ago who woulda thought that the Fresh Princes slapstick cameo ghetto friend would still be pumping out great music in 2005? Not me. It all started with being Will Smith's DJ. Hiphop at that time was still fairly undeveloped and experimental. It was all about having fun. After Jeff's and Smith's collaboration (but not friendship) ended, Jazzy Jeff took on an underground loving, jazz spinning and outspoken approach to hiphop that I as a west-coast hiphop head thought was lost long ago with Jeff. I expected him to be on the jiggy tip with Will Smith's premiere solo album Big Willie Style in 1997. Thankfully he wasn't.

With the beginning of Will Smith's solo career, spawned Jeff's solo love for great music. Jeff released the Magnificent in 2002 which featured J-live, Freddie Fox, Last Emp, and Jill Scott. The Magnificent is a dope collection of music, and we already know how much I love J-live so naturally I bumped it for months and to this day still resort to it when I get musically thirsty. In 2004 Jeff released In the House which (for a house album) I really liked. Smooth house music complimented by Jeff's legendary jazzy style.

Now, here's The Soul Mixtape. The mix begins with a soft, soulful song by Eijay that eventually evolves into a Rhythmn & Bluesish feel. I say Rythmn & Blues instead of R&B as this is not your everyday Usher, Beyonce, or 112 "Artist bending over for the label" shit, and thank god. The Mix continues with soul-soothing sounds from Josephine Sincere, Michael Bohannon, Kelli Sae, LaSonya Gunter, Ladybug Mecca (of Digable Planets), Demien, Soulo, Mitsu, Dwele, Pete Rock, Leela James, Valencia Robinson, Omar, and Angie Stone. If you don't already know these artists, prepare for the best. From start to finish, this mix sets the premisce for naked, hot, gushy love-making. It's not hiphop, but it carries the culture and style that makes good music GREAT, and I can dig it. That's love. Legendary.