Product Description

The Roots very first album released on Philly indie label Remedy Records. Originally released way back in 1993, then reissued via Cargo/MCA and now again in 2006 via Groove Distribution. The raw, live, jazz influenced hip hop sound that has been their trademark was first showcased on this album. New fans introduced to them on Jimmy Fallon's late night TV show should be blown away. A classic rap album.

Track Listing

1. Roots Is Comin'
2. Pass the Popcorn
3. Anti-Circle
4. Writers Block
5. Good Music (Reprise) [Preclude]
6. Good Music
7. Grits
8. Leonard I-V
9. I'm out Deah
10. Essawhamah?
11. There's a Riot Goin' On, Pt. 2 [Extended House, Acid Jazz, Hip Hop, Ra]
12. Popcorn Revisited
13. Peace
14. Common Dust
15. Session [Longest Posse Cut in History]
16. Syreeta's Having My Baby
17. Carryin' On

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #63357 in Music
• Released on: 2006-10-19
• Number of discs: 1

Customer Reviews

More Of That Organic Hip Hop Jazz (4.5 Stars)
If you're already a fan of The Roots, then run out and get this album. Actually, anyone that claims to love rap music should experience this album at least once. The production is more stripped down when compared to later releases, but the raw energy dispensed by this album more than makes up for it. You can tell that they hadn't quite begun to gel as a group yet (they hadn't even settled on a name yet because the refer to themselves as SQT or The Square Roots on several occasions), but they still manage to create the same magic vibe that's present on their other albums. You can tell that this was a young, hungry group that had a great time making a fun album. You can hear the jazz influence throught out the entire album. Be warned though, you won't find any appearances from Ursula Rucker, Rahzel, Scratch, or Dice Raw. It's still a tight LP though.

There are one or two rough spots on the album though. "The Session", while incredibly dope, is a bit long-winded (12:45). And there are times when the production can be VERY dry. All complaints about this album end there.

In short: This album is basically a rough draft of what was to come later on down the road. It's dope, but it's also stripped down and raw......and this listener loved it. I highly reccomended picking up this album if you want to witness the magic and early hunger of a classic group. The Roots never drop anything wack and this album is no exception.

Standout Tracks: Leonard I-V, The Anti-Circle, Good Music, Essaywhuman!!! (Live At The Soulshack), Grits, Pass The Popcorn (My Favorite), The Session (Longest Posse Cut In History), and Popcorn Revisited

P.S. - Whoever was responsible for the marketing and promotion of this album should've been demoted to the mail boy or something. The lack of promotion for this album borders on criminal.

The Face of Jazz to Come
Q-Tip, from A Tribe Called Quest, says within their track Excursions: "Back in the days when I was a teenager - before I had status and before I had a pager - you could find the abstract, listenin' to hip-hop - my pops used to say it reminded him of bebop". The Roots bring this connection to life within Organix. A masterful album, their first and best, Hip-Hop's brightest illustrate the future of Jazz and quality music.

No Production, A lot of Creativity
Fan of The Roots have to secretly tell themselves that this is one of the bands best albums. Personally, I discovered The Roots after some time they were already in the game, but that does not diminish how much I believe this album is one of the best ever. The blend of raw, organic instruments with incredible, fresh, eye (and ear) dropping rhyming spits by Black Thought can prove that true hip hop does not have to have the expletives, the mysogynism, and materialism other second-rate "artists" display. What you can tell from The Roots in this album is that their love of music, and overall creativity, is evident in their music. This album also transcends time, as while this album was made in 1993, the music here can still be played, full blast on 12" Infinity subs, and can still carry a groove.