Okay. So, over the past couple of years, I've heard lots of hype about the Roots. I even got to see part of their set as they opened for the Beastie Boys at the Summit about 7 or 8 yrs ago, and enjoyed what I saw. Anyway, somehow I have not bought a single one of their CD's over the years, even though they've always intrigued me, and I've heard good things about the band. My question is this: for those of you who have some of their cd's, can you pick a favorite, or recommend which one of their cd's I should get to start off with? I've never really heard a negative word, per se, about one of their albums, so I figured I'd take it "to the streets" and find out what some BBSers had to say about the band. Thanks.
Totally agree, you should start with the first one that is sold in stores everywhere which "Do You Want More". I have a CD that actually came out before that, it was recorded in I think 92, its at home, I will give more info on it later when I get, but has anyone else heard it. Anyone else ever seen it, Its a Black Cover with just "The Roots" written in small type in the corner. It was funny, my friend at UT did an internship in London the summer after "Do You Want More" came out. He told me about the first Roots album after hanging out in the UK underground Hip Hop scene. About six years later I found it at a Soundwaves that used to be in Greenspoint Mall.
Those are my two favorite albums....but I really like all of them...I have every single album on LP....One of my favorite acts. ?uestlove is an underrated producer. This is the order of their albums Songs 1-100 Organix 1992 Do You Want More? 1995 Illadelph Halflife 1996 Things Fall Apart 1999 Phrenology 2002 More of their material: Legendary EP - Not an album but unreleased material. Roots Come Alive - Live album of past joints
"Things Fall Apart" is a great intro CD... Personally I like the live version of "You Got Me" better, with Jill Scott, but yeah...
The Roots are phenomenal. Even if you don't like hip hop, they're still a must have. They're one of those rare bands that really have gotten better. "Things Fall Apart" was a masterpiece, and I'd recommend that first. Their first one was also excellent, and a bit more adventuresome musically than their other stuff. It's called "Do you want More?!?!" Illadeplph Halflife was good, though a bit forgettable. It's more similar to mainstream hiphop than the others. Well-done, but why bother immitating lesser, boring artists? (Ok, to make money, but pfft.) The Roots Come Alive is another good album. A live album actually worth owning.
Immitating who? I'm not sure what you mean....Clones..and Concerto of the Desperado are highly sought Roots classics, and UNIverse at War doesn't sound like any thing Nelly would do. Yeah Ja Rule and Black Thought both rhyme on a microphone but thats where the similarities end.
Is Rahzel still with the group? I havent seen him in a while except on that Twix commercial. I know Scratch does most of the beatboxing now. Oh and Illadelph Halflife was their best album in my opinion. I still havent heard all of Phrenology yet, but all the albums are good. Does anyone know where I can find Organix?
Thanks for all the responses. I think I might go with "Things Fall Apart," or "The Roots Come Alive" as I figure that would be a good diverse source of their material, and take it from there. Thanks again....
