DJ Jazzy Jeff

Jeffrey Allen Townes' career started in the mid 80's, forming the duo "Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince", which went on to become one of the most successful hip hop acts in the world. The track that actually got me hooked on Jazz and Hip Hop was without doubt A Touch of Jazz (Jive 1987). This old Jazzy Jeff/Fresh Prince track was another unsung classic of the genre. Just ignore the Will Smith's ineffectual rhymes on this one, it's really all about Jeff in the mix as he brings in breakbeat after breakbeat. Everyone from Donald Byrd, to Marvin Gaye, to Grover Washington, Jr. to Bob James gets tossed into the mix and besides just the "name the break" fun of the song, Jeff does a great job of mixing everything in with scratches. Roll call: Grover Washington Jr. "Mister Magic" (1975) Bobbi Humphrey "Westchester Lady" (Three, 1976) Bobbi Humphrey "Harlem River Drive" (Blacks and Blues, 1973) Donald Byrd "Change" (Places and Spaces, 1976) Marvin Gaye "T Plays it Cool" (1972)

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