From The Ground Up - Roots (The)

Advantages: Consistent quality
Disadvantages: Grand Negaz production changes the signature Roots sound

...** 9. "Do You Want More?!!!??!" Although they are a Hip Hop crew, at times they are extremely alternative, and so it's head boppers like this from The Roots which reinforce the fact that Hip Hop is where the belong. Here the pounding beats from ?uestlove and the the hardcore rhymes from Black Thought take you right back to the good old days of the genre (as I see it), where they, for once, seem to be fitting in with the genreal sound of nineties Hip Hop (especially on the East of the US). **Four Stars** 10. "What Goes On Pt. 7" I'm unsure as to the title to this, as ther previous (debut) album didn't feature any track named "What Goes On", and neither does their following EP "From the Ground Up", but then again The Roots have never been conventional and never follow traditions. Aside from this little hing, you have a big Hip Hop tune... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: A total classic
Disadvantages: nothing

...It does not get much better than this. Back in 1967 lee perry and the upsetters were making and braking ground in jamica with their roots reggae. Perry is firmly at the controls on this release and everything really seems to just come together, the harmony singing, the heavy rumbling bass (i mean HEAVY) and rhythm. For anyone with any liking for dub reggae this is essential. Truly great piece of work. Lee perrys studio the black ark was burned down a number of years later but thankfully this seminal record really captures the great sound from the black ark for posterity. A sweet sweet record that hits all the right bottons with the only complaint being that it has quite a short playing time over the 10 tracks. Enjoy... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Feel Good music, chill out
Disadvantages: Hard to get into

...I bought this album just before christmas because it had had lots of brilliant reviews, every body was rating it, and I had people comin over for christmas so I thought it would be good back ground music. The first time I played the album, I skipped all the songs I didnt know, and just played the ones they had released, just to get me in the mood. The first song on the album is an 'intro' - a little bit scatty, and pretty pointless. The other songs are similar to the ones we know and love, yet not quite up to the standard. Theres not really a beat you can drum along to, no real words you can sing along to, and doesnt really have a feel good factor about it. However: It is a very original album - you wouldnt have heard anything like it before It does make easy listening - and good back ground music And once you have listened... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Another album by the legendary Roots!
Disadvantages: Not as unique sounding

...The Roots is the legendary hip hop group headed by ?uestlove a big fat drummer with a massive afro..drummer? yes..you see, the thing that separates The Roots from any other hip-hop group is that they are a live band. Instead of synthetic beats and sounds from the DJ, The Roots produce authentic sounds with authentic musical instruments. What you get is a fresh and amazing sound and atmosphere to the music that The Roots produce. The Roots are best experienced live on stage but an album is the next best thing.The Tipping Point is the Roots' second mainstream album, the first being the critically acclaimed Phrenology. Before then, The Roots had been making albums that never hit big except within dedicated hip-hop circles. In my opinion, the earlier Roots albums were revolutionary and it's a shame that with Tipping Point, they have started... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful