Guru: The Calm Voice of Jazzmatazz

Guru never raised his voice, and he never had to.

Born Keith Edward Elam in 1961, he took his name from an acronym: Gifted Unlimited Rhymes Universal. He started in Boston, but the local scene gave him little support. He moved to New York, where Gang Starr, his partnership with DJ Premier, took off. His delivery set him apart: smooth, steady and confident. His lyrics were socially conscious and hard-edged, and he never strained to prove either.

That calm made him an ideal bridge between genres. On "Trust Me" and "When You're Near" (both 1993), N'dea Davenport's soul vocals sit comfortably beside his flow. By 2000 the guest list was wider. On "Plenty" he shares the track with Erykah Badu. "Keep Your Worries" features Angie Stone, "Supa Love" features Kelis, and "No More" features Craig David. Each guest works because Guru leaves them room.

He died in April 2010, aged 48. The records still sound relaxed and assured. Start with "Feel The Music", then follow the sun with "Look to the Sun".