Jazze Pha & Cee-Lo Green

Anybody who’s been reading this column for any length of time knows that I’m not exactly Minneapolis’ resident rap expert. In my book, the man to see on that tip would be the highly informed, always-inspiring Peter Scholtes, dig? Sure, I crank up and bump to Public Enemy (scathing political commentary and an innate fucking sense of DA GROOVE), the Beasties (some of the same, more of the ol’ PAR-TAY), Outkast (honestly and truly in perfect synch with the complex beat of humanity itself), and local outfits like Scotty G.’s Soulsonic Revolution and the absolutely awe-inspiring Doomtree—how could any self-respecting music lover not at least appreciate the talents of those artists?

But man, to me, R&B will always mean Al Green, soul will always mean Isaac Hayes, and you’ll never convince me that there’s any substitute for actual musical instruments in a band—no matter what genre they play. That being said, I have to say here and now that these cats—Jazze Pha an’ his buddy Cee-Lo—proudly sport a healthy amount of the talent, style, originality and honest musical reverence that all of the folks listed above do. “Happy Hour,” the first single from the duo’s forthcoming album Sho’ Nuff Records Presents ... Jazze Pha & Cee-Lo Green “The Happy Hour,” which is due out later this year, showcases a couple of guys who understand that good, well-crafted, FUN rap/R&B music doesn’t have to include a shit-load of references to gats, hoes, bling or their personal feuds with other artists. It also proves that there’s still a place in the commercial rap/R&B world for guys who can actually carry a tune and—SURPRISE—write their own music.

Of course, that doesn’t come as much of a shocker when you suss that Jazze’s the offspring of revered Bar-Kays bassist James Alexander (The Bar-Kays were the backing band for the late, great Otis Redding, and besides penning a baker’s dozen of their own bonafide hits—“Soul Finger,” anyone?—also backed Isaac Hayes on Hot Buttered Soul and the “Shaft” soundtrack), and that he spent part of his youth on the road with his dad and the rest of the time with his famous mom, singer Denise Williams (she sang back-up for such diverse acts as Earth, Wind & Fire and Barbra Streisand). Whew! With a background like that, it’s no wonder the funk be risin’ so damn high on his records.

Did I say records? Man, Jazze (real name, Phalon Alexander) has been making records as a performer and producer since the early ‘90s—spewing out hit after hit for the likes of Outkast, Nelly, Ludacris, Lil Jon and Toni Braxton. In the interim, he formed his own label, Sho’ Nuff, home to Ciara and a bevy of up-and-coming rap and R&B artists from L.A. to Detroit. But enough history. What I really, really like about Jazze (besides this kick-ass, infectious party track—which I’ll get to momentarily) is his cool, down-home, genuine ATTITUDE. Wow!

In his press kit, he speaks at length about his influences, his dreams and his musical philosophies as both producer and artist. Here’s a few choice quotes: “When I’m in the studio, the only rap music I listen to is the rap music I’m working on ... I’m not gonna do just one kind of music. Some people play me 10 songs with the same kind of music ... I don’t want just ravioli. I want gumbo. I want a little bit of everything.” “I’m a writer, and I’m a singer and I’m a rapper.” And he describes his own personal musical gumbo as, “A cross between a hip/hop/R&B classic and [a] blaxploitation soundtrack ... it’s the music we grew up with—Curtis Mayfield, Al Green, Bobby Womack—with a new sound, a new flavor, some elements of hip-hop of today, but SOULFUL ... fun music that moves. That’s my signature.” Wow again!

As for the single, “Happy Hour,” it’s a sho’ nuff original—sure, it’s about drinkin’ (“Hey girl, let’s go have some drinks ... martinis, pina coladas and cosmopolitans ...”), partyin’, and wooin’ some fine suga mama, but it’s the delivery, the STYLE and the positively overpowering vocals (with some able assistance from equally talented Goodie Mob rhymemeister Cee-Lo Green) that sets this track apart from the homogenized, phony bullshit you hear pumping outta every Gap sound system and payola-infested modern “R&B” FM radio station from here to eternity.

This song contains elements of Jazze’s formidable inspirations (the smooth, sexy vocal delivery of Al Wilson; the driving, funky beats of Isaac Hayes’ best work; the tasty guitar licks of George Benson; the hello-kitty backing vocals of The Chi-Lites) as well as the modern studio wizardry he’s so famous for. My suggestion? Go pick up Best Of The Bar-Kays, Isaac Hayes’ Hot Buttered Soul, and this single. Then hit the corner liquor store, score yourself a big ass bottle of your fave bevy, and sit around your stereo having your own badass happy hour. Seriously—this song just may have changed my attitude about modern R&B for good. Don’t hate the playa, ‘Dial-heads—hate the game! Thank you Jazze, thank you Cee-Lo, thank you vodka tonics with a twist of fresh lemon. Yum!!

That’s it for this week, ya partyin’ playas an’ booty-bumpin’ babes—tune in again, same time, same space, for more cosmic rockin’ funkin’ roll. Until then—make yer own damn news.

If you have local music news/gigs/events/CDs you’d like to see mentioned in this column, or you’d just like to tip me off to your own favorite happy hour, send replies to: Tmygunn777@peoplepc.com. ||