Wake Up!

Crikey! Soul music really doesn't get much better than this!
(Actually, music of any creed or kind doesn't get much better than this!)

John Legend's collaboration with The Roots is a sonic marriage
made in heaven. Mr Legend has always had a fine voice but
on 'Wake Up!' he digs deep and comes back with the most
confident and convincing performances of his estimable career.

If I had to choose one song from the big bunch of great songs
to have flowered and flourished in the listening world this year
i'll take this ensemble's rendition of Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes'
'Wake Up Everybody' (featuring the additional dulcet tones of
Common and Melanie Flora) to take with me to my desert island!
It really is wonderful beyond words. Buy it for this track alone
and then open up your ears and heart to the many other treasures
waiting to enchant, beguile and thrill you!

Marvin Gaye's 'Wholly Holy' is also given a truly sublime work-out
which really will make the hair stand up along your neck and spine!
So too the jaunty gospel-blues of Nina Simone's 'I Wish I Knew How
It Would Feel To Be Free', it's glorious message, given new breath,
life and relevance, as powerfully true as it ever was! Stunning!!

John Stephens' uplifting composition 'Shine' brings the project to a
mellow and memorable conclusion. Mr Legend sings it like an angel!

The instrumental and vocal arrangements are never less than
consummately realised. The production is warm, vivid and wholly alive.

A Masterpiece. Nothing more, nothing less!

Let me nail my colurs to the mast - in my opinion, The Roots are the finest exponents of hip-hop, period. I go back as far as Cool Herc, Soul Sonic Crew and Funk Master Flex through to KRS 1, Public Enemy, Tribe Called Quest and Talib Kweli. As far a John Legend is concerned, I'm a definately NOT a fan, hard as I've tried. I would not put him in the same class as Bilal, D'Angelo, Jaheim, Anthony Hamilton, Joe etc - the guy just does not move me as some singers can. As owner as both Get Lifted and Evolver albums, I always felt that he was a fine singer, but simply did not have the material to show off his talents. I compare the situation to why so many wanted to work with the Neptunes, Mark Ronson and JDilla (RIP) all geniuses when it comes to musical production.

What sets The Roots apart are that they are (have evolved) into a hip-hop "band"; their talent in this field is peerless being able to play absolutely anything, with anyone. This being they case, they obviously took time to dissect and analyse Legend's voice and subsequently selected a range of songs which are a perfect foil for his down-home earthy voice.

I first became aware of what was in store by seeing the live performance at the 2010 Fifa World Cup which blew me away - I finally thought "someone has actually worked out how to use this guy!" This album is testimony to that. Yes, apart from "Shine" its full of covers, but unless you have an encyclopaedic knowledge of music, there is lot to which you will not familiar. Apart from the title track, which is the "pull in a wide audience" track, there are a number of absolute gems. Personal favourites are Humanity (a very popular Lovers Rock staple) and wonderful version of Bill Withers (I can't write Left Handed)

I truly hope that Legend decides to look toward more collaborations so he can concentrate on creating some vocal highlights that will stand the test of time. As far as The Roots are concerned, I am once again in shock and awe of their ability to create music that I thought was lost when "auto-tune" became a household name.

Glorious

Arrived today as 'nearly new' but looked like it hadn't been played. Was surprised to find a bonus 25min DVD showing the guys in the studio and interviewed about the concept of the album.

Again amazing value for money. I paid about £4 for this, the CD is just as good, if not slightly better musically with a larger lineup of backing vocals, horn and string sections. The DVD audio is more detailed but that's a given. It's far from being a disappointment!
I've been a fan of the Roots since the late 90's and the fact that they are still on top of their game and still relevant in an industry that normally gives a band a 5 year window, is testament to their incredible musicianship. John Legend works very well with this group of musicians and sounds great, a whole lotta soul goin' on!

A great choice of songs, not the obvious choices but that's the good point about it.

Worth every penny even at full price, but all the sweeter getting it at a bargain price!