The Roots
Things Fall Apart

THE REVIEW

As we all know by now, over the past 25 years, hip-hop has influenced, for better or worse, our beloved black music. We have often been bombarded by MTV videos depicting rappers with big gold chains, limousines, sexy women, villas with pools... All with often violent and misogynistic lyrics.

But fortunately, there is another face of hip-hop, the more committed, intellectual, and stylistically adventurous one. This is represented by the Roots, a true band led by the formidable drummer Ahmir Thompson a.k.a "Questlove", rapper Tariq Trotter a.k.a "Black Thought", and other skilled musicians. If you thought hip-hop was just sampled beats, well, with this band you can think again, here there is music played with real instruments. But let's talk about "Things Fall Apart".

It's 1999 and the Roots release one of their masterpieces, which never ceases to amaze us with its various brilliant ideas. You can't waste anything!

Just listen to "The Next Movement", a compelling funk-soul enhanced by the vocal harmonies of the Jazzyfatnastees, or the jazzy "Step Into The Realm", with a driving piano and the strong lyrics of Black Thought and Malik B.

"The Spark" features, on keyboards, the talented D'Angelo, while "Dynamite!" boasts a bluesy and swinging base simultaneously.

Tribal rhythms in "Without A Doubt", while in "Double Trouble" Black Thought and Mos Def swap the mic over an ethno and driving base.

Unmissable is the smooth Act Too (The Love Of My Life) with guests rapper Common and the BSFM Orchestra of Philadelphia.

Let's not forget the standout track of the album, the soft soul of "You Got Me", featuring Erykah Badu and with a drum 'n bass finale created by the energetic rhythmic accelerations of Questlove.

The hard funk of "Don See Us" brings us to the concluding track "The Return Of Innocence Lost". This song is recited by poet Ursula Rucker and tells a touching story about the artist's brother's disappearance, supported by the arpeggios of Anthony Tidd.

Well, what is there to say about "Things Fall Apart"..... Each track speaks for itself thanks to the talent of the Roots, whose discography I warmly recommend to you, really varied and amazing.

Long live the Roots!