Ohio producer J. Rawls has been putting in jazzy, quality work for a while, making music Black Star, J-Live, Aloe Blacc, Slum Village and recording as half the Lone Catalysts alongside Pittsburgh MC J. Sands.

But whether he was putting out solo records or whipping up beats for underground MCs, jazz has always been the anchor. Teaming up with Scienz of Life's John Robinson, Rawls goes directly to the source with "The 1960's Jazz Revolution Again."

Much of the album is powered by well-chosen jazz-piano samples and standard hip-hop beats, but there are also several moments where Rawls and Robinson, along with a few select guests, do a fine job of truly fusing jazz and hip-hop.

"It's Jay Are" creates a shuffling jazz beat that allows Robinson to speed up and and slow down his rapping to nice effect; "Relax Ur Mind" speed things up, as Tiffany Paige sings over a jumpy Rhodes organ vamp, and "Love Me Good" finds Dominique Larue swapping verses with Robinson about the trials and tribulations of love as Rawls keeps time with a slinky stand-up bass and hi-hats.

And whether he's rapping about ladies ("She's So Brilliant") or reminiscing about his favorite jazz artists (the title track), Robinson rocks an intelligent, easy-to-understand flow.

Rawls has branched out successfully in several directions as a producer, but his love for jazz gives this project an extra boost.

Hear samples from "The 1960's Jazz Revolution Again" at Amazon.com. It will be released Oct. 13.

Sussex Countian