The Roots: Do You Want More?!!!??! Vinyl 2LP

The Roots are basically the hip-hop establishment of today. I mean, they made it from Philly cyphers to the Tonite Show stage on the daily – and it doesn’t get more official than that! The fact is that they don’t have to rely on a lucky sample or hot producer to make them stronger. Black Thought was damn prophetic when he declared a ‘Roots Dynasty.’ Although their first LP Organix might be their strongest as a hip-hop band, Do You Want More?! with its mass appeal, is their best. With so much attention going to the lead single “Proceed” (they pumped it 24-7 in our NYU cafeteria), it’s easy to forget that track for track this is some historic shit. “Distortion to Static,” “Mellow My Man,” “I Remain Calm!” That’s just the first side. Don’t forget about “Lazy Afternoon,” “You Ain’t Fly,” “The Lesson pt.1,” “Silent Treatment” and the others. 16 tracks in all, recommended.

• black double vinyl pressing
• printed inner sleeves
• original release year: 1995
• music label: Geffen 2026

reviewed by the mgmnt 11/2015