26 July, 2024

The Roots — From the Ground Up EP


Second project released by the Roots after the independent debut the year before. Composed of six long tracks (four later included in the second studio album, released in 1995), for a total of almost 33 minutes of listening, the record features the rapping of Black Thought supported by the band and some scattered vocal contributions performed by the other members of the group, including Malik B, MC Ni and B.R.O.THER.?, one of the first names of Questlove. The tape boasts excellent jazzy rhythms, boom bap, slow and solid drums and a generally simple soundscape in order to highlight the slow, smooth, syncopated and calm delivery of the major performer, at times dope. To note the contributions of guests Steve Coleman, Graham Haynes, Josh Roseman and Rusuf Harley, who respectively provide sax, trumpet, trombone and bagpipes, while the sax in "Worldwide (London Groove)" is that of Steve Williamson. Some songs are better than others, however, it's not an essential release. Recommended for jazz rap fans. 7/10.

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