This was my first introduction to the Legendary Roots Crew. We all know the “silent treatment”. I thought it was creative for The Roots to craft a song based on this annoying trend in relationships. I also really dug the idea of a live band providing a “jazzy” soundtrack of sorts. They certainly weren’t the 1st hip-hop band but they carry the torch well.  This week’s Re-Release is The Roots “Silent Treatment“.

“Because the Roots were pioneering a new style during the early ’90s, the band was forced to draw its own blueprints for its major-label debut album. It’s not surprising then, that Do You Want More?!!!??! sounds more like a document of old-school hip-hop than contemporary rap. The album is based on loose grooves and laid-back improvisation, and where most hip-hoppers use samples to draw songs together and provide a chorus, the Roots just keep on jamming. The problem is that the Roots‘ jams begin to take the place of true songs, leaving most tracks with only that groove to speak for them. The notable exceptions — “Mellow My Man” and “Datskat,” among others — use different strategies to command attention: the sounds of a human beatbox , the great keyboard work of Scott Storch, and contributions from several jazz players (trombonist Joshua Roseman, saxophonist Steve Coleman and vocalist Cassandra Wilson). By the close of the album, those tracks are what the listener remembers, not the lightweight grooves.”  - Allmusic.com