LP - NEW/NEW - NAS, Illmatic (Columbia; 4759591, Europe 2021 Reissue, Inner), , Nas, the son of jazz musician Olu Dara, draws on jazz influences, with producer Pete Rock using jazz piano chords and having his own father play the trumpet solo at the end of "Life's a Bitch." Jazz is also present in the album's essential cuts, with the Ahmad Jamal-sampling, boom-bap classic 'The World Is Yours' standing out. The lyrics remind us that the record's beating heart is New York. Nas epitomises the 90s East Coast hip-hop sound, and this album deserves to be ranked among the best hip-hop albums of all time. - 0516336C *** In Stock In Our Crouch End Shop ***