It’s a little tough to concentrate on writing a blog when your ears are still ringing and your heart is still pounding. The Roots just finished crushing Burlington. BT, ?uest, and the crew brought heat like summer to the stage at Higher Ground. Having watched the Roots grow and develop over the years, it is relieving to say that the new “major label” incarnation is the best so far. After a classic set of uptempo songs from their catalog, and the now infamous cover set featuring all the hot club tracks, we were treated to the newest phase of the evolution of The Roots. Funk. Heavy, dirty funk. Not just one funk cover, but rather an hour of funked out jamming lead by ?uestlove and the Philly horn section that has joined the group for this tour. This shit was bananas. Black Thought channeled the late great godfather of soul, accenting the instrumental barrage with Brown’s trademark staccato exclamations. It was obvious that “Stay Cool” was just the tip of the iceberg. Black Thought has the rhythm and swagger of Al Green, whether he is tearing off the verse to “The Next Movement” or crooning over a classic soul cover. The most dominant live act in hip hop… hip hop music… music… the 2 one fizzif was well represented in B-Town tonight.

Catch Dj Idioma and Smoov B representin for hip hop worldwide on their weekly radio show “The Movement”, live Tuesday nights from 12-2 and available for streaming or download at www.wruv.org
By: DJ Idioma