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André Paine's rating
The Roots lack focus
By
André Paine
8 Dec 2008
Over 15 years and eight albums, Philadelphia’s The Roots have established themselves as a force in progressive hip-hop, more concerned with ideas and instrumentation than bling or banging tunes.
On stage, though, this involved a wearying jazz-rap fusion, relentlessly pumped out by a seven-piece band including a sousaphone player.
The Roots were adept musicians. But bands rarely work as democracies: this set lacked musical focus and, as a result, any really great tunes.
The more diverting moments occurred on harmony-heavy songs such as Star, from their 2004 album named after Malcolm Gladwell’s The Tipping Point.
The Roots’ most famous member is the big-haired drummer Questlove, whose playing was effortlessly powerful. His drumming face-off with the conga player was enjoyable, too, if a bit gimmicky.
“There’s no way you want to hear some more!” bawled MC rapper Black Thought before the encore.
That was exactly how I felt. But The Seed, with its smart pop hook, showed what The Roots are capable of when they aren’t lost in the music.
Details are correct at the time of publication - please check with venue before booking.
