 |
The Roots PresentDirector: Robert Swope M 15+ 84 mins Warner Vision Sadly, due to over-marketing, a lot of hip-hop music has seen its credibility eroded by hype. Consequently, many of its artists appear and swiftly vanish as the quality of the music diminishes. However, few acts can boast the same level of sustainability and universal appeal to that The Roots. Those who have seen them perform will no doubt agree that they personify live hip-hop music; and many musical acts try to match their high standard. This recording was made in 2004 and captures one of The Roots' live concerts. But this is no mere tour souvenir: what made this concert stand out was the fact that it was a private, invitation-only concert especially organized by the band and appropriately held in the birthplace of hip-hop, New York City. The DVD does a sound job in capturing the intimate essence of the event. You can feel the positive vibe and the energy that The Roots project on stage; and by the looks of the crowd, you can see that they feel it too. Though The Roots are the definite centrepiece of this concert, viewers will love the inclusion of special guests, each representing one of the different personalities within hip-hop music. Skillz, Jean Grae, Young Gunz, Dice Raw, Martin Luther, the infamous Mobb Deep and Truck North all share the stage with the rest of The Roots crew at one time or another to swap microphones with Black Thought. And with each artist The Roots are able to support them performing their own hits so, in essence, it's almost like being exposed to multiple concerts in one. It is quite impressive to see The Roots perform according to the styles and the personalities of each of the special guests without overshadowing them; rather they actually complement their guests, exuding a sense of confidence in the artist's ability to command the band and the stage. Highlights include the raw energy and intensity of Mobb Deep, the satirical Skillz, and the smooth stylings of Martin Luther. The DVD allows you to select individual songs, but this somewhat impedes on the concert's effectiveness when it is shown in its entirety. Track breaks and separators throughout the concert affect the continuity and at times affect negatively on the overall vibe of the live recording. However, this DVD will definitely allow viewers to gain an appreciation of how great The Roots are during their live performances. It is certainly not a practical substitute for the real thing, but seeing this DVD may entice the viewers (if they have not already) to try and see one of Rolling Stone Magazine's greatest live acts of all time.  |
|
The latest issue available now!     |
All content copyright dB Magazine