RUN

Every now and then, an album comes along that is, quite simply, a classic. An album that is so solid, so complete that the listener gets caught up in it, not even realizing how much time has passed. The hip-hop world is blessed with not one, but two classics this week. (That's right, this week). The first is the Roots latest masterwork, Things Fall Apart.

Since Organix (and I won't front, I heard Do You Want More!!?!?? and thought it was their first album too) the Roots have produced innovative music behind the strength of Amir and Trotter a.k.a. ?love and Black Thought. This crew always comes with the fresh rhythms, clever and intelligent lyrics. The Roots have returned musicality to hip-hop with their live instrumentation.

On the real, this is one of the best hip-hop albums I've heard EVER. From beginning to end, there is quite simply no fast forward material. If I believed in numerical ratings, this would get five mics or a perfect 10 or whatever, plus some.

Every track has something to it to set it apart, be it a sample that you don't even hear unless you listen very carefully, a morph into a drum and bass track part way through, a blazing guest spot or a drum loop that fades out every couple of bars only to return, seeming iller every time.

All production is controlled by the Grand Wizzards (a.k.a. ?love and friends) although a few guests provided ideas (Jay Dee formerly of the Ummah, Kelo, D'Angelo etc.) and as usual, they are very selective with their guests. Having some wack guest artist just wouldn't work for the Roots. As it is, they only have guests of the caliber of Common, Erykah Badu, Mos Def and Rahzel.

Also pay attention to the usual ill lyrics from Black Thought as well as Malik B the M-Illitant who returns to blaze and Dice Raw who continues to develop into one of the illest MCs hip-hop has ever seen.

Tracks to check for: ALL OF THEM. On the real though, especially check for "The Next Movement", "Dynamite!", "Diedre vs. Dice" (with the ILL viola player), "Adrenaline!" and of course the first single, "You Got Me" (with Erykah Badu).

The final verdict: Go buy this album. Why are you still reading this review? You need to own this. If you don't own this album within the next month, don't talk to me about being a head. Oh, and incidentally, don't forget to read the liner notes. ? explains how each song came about, and it just adds yet another dimension to the music (besides, some of them are mad funny).

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