Don't believe the hype!

do you want more?!!!??!
The Roots
MCA/Geffen
Reviewed by Sean Moysey

I can see the value in what The Roots are trying to do: that is, mix “traditional” jazz sounds and instruments with hip hop/rap lyrics.

Unfortunately, there's nothing beyond mediocre on the album. The funk isn't quite there, the melody isn't quite there, and the rapping appears to be a regurgitation of standard rhyming slang and profanity.

“Datskat” sounds original, but nothing special. There are a number of new, and obviously talented, musicians who contribute to the album, but the Roots don't come near the hype built around it.

The album notes in do you want more?!!!??! say that the Roots “effect is a creative paradox that engenders a complexity of sound, ideas and unique combination until now unheard of in hip hop music”. Don't believe the hype!

The Roots should have a listen to DIG, Digable Planets, Buckshot le Fonque or even 3rd Bass. What happens on do you want more?!!!??! is not “unheard of” in hip hop.

To be fair, the vocal impressions of instruments are well done and perhaps with some good melodies and original lyrics the Roots might produce something that is “dope”.

This article was posted on the Green Left Weekly Home Page.
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