Oh yes, it’s here… the 8th studio album from the Roots (10th overall I think), second with the Def Jam label. On first listen this one is very dark and synthy, even more than 2006’s “Game Theory”! Not too much fluffy stuff here.

The Roots are really embracing the Internet as a good tool to reach people interested in the next level of hip-hop and music in general, they put you 3-4 videos even before the album came out, released not album tracks available for download only and don’t really have a clear cut radio type single for the album. The Roots have such a good following that like Radiohead did with their “In Rainbows” CD, they can tweak the rules of the music game and people will still support them and buy their music or go see their shows…

And on that note, buy their music &/or see their shows!

Essential tracks:

Rising Down (Hum Drum) (featuring Mos Def, Styles P & Dice Raw)

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75 Bars

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Criminal (featuring Truck North & Saigon)

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Up There (Unwritten)” (featuring Mercedes Martinez)

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Videos:

The Roots - Get Busy

The Roots - 75 Bars (Black’s Reconstruction)

The Roots Official Home - Okay Player

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