Home Grown: Guide to Understanding the Roots 2

The Roots | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 15, 2005)
• Original Release Date: 2005
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Geffen Records
• ASIN: B000BLI4T2
• Also Available in: Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #43,181 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

With the Roots signing to Def Jam, their soon-to-be-old label Geffen has taken advantage by releasing a two volume anthology of the Roots' best songs from this perioid (1994 - 2004). Unlike other greatest hits compilations by artists who can't justify the hubris, the Roots catalog runs ocean deep and these two albums are able to pull from off-the-beaten-path album cuts ("Double Trouble"), rare remixes (Black Thought's "Distortion to Static" mix), live recordings ("It's Comin"), plus the occasional mega-hit ("You Got Me"). Even for hardcore Roots fans, they might yet be surprised by a few of the inclusions here, especially "Good Music," a song off The Roots' very first album, Organix, released independently before they signed to Geffen. Between the two volumes, #1 is far and away superior in terms of song selection. Volume 2 isn't nearly as strong but it has some interesting tidbits, including a live medley of "The Seed/Melting Pot/Web" from BBC's Radio One. --Oliver Wang

Product Description

Luckily, for those whose familiarity with the Philadelphia crew doesn’t extend beyond watching them play with Jay-Z for his unforgettable Unplugged album or Eminem at the 2003 Grammys, Home Grown! The Beginners Guide To Understanding The Roots Volume One and Two, will provide the sonic DNA for the illustrious group. The comprehensive collections showcase everything from popular hits like the soulful "What They Do," to unreleased heat like "Quicksand Millennium" and "You Got Me," featuring Jill Scott (the Grammy winner featured Erykah Badu), to hard-to-find remixes of "Don’t Say Nuthin’" to live performances like "Sacrifice (Live On BBC’s Radio One’s Worldwide Show with Giles Peterson)." The 29-song opus features Beanie Sigel (who made his major label debut appearance on "Adrenaline"), Eve, Jill Scott, Common, Roy Ayers, Raphael Saadiq, Dice Raw, Jaguar Wright, D’Angelo, and Mos Def, and is undeniable evidence of the influence they’ve had on the musical landscape over the course of their incredible career.

Of course, as evidenced by album titles like Phrenology and The Tipping Point, The Roots have always taken a very cerebral approach to making music. ?uestlove’s musings on each song in the liner notes shows just how much thought the group puts into their creative process. Each volume has a 20-page insert that is filled with behind-the-scene insights that offer amazing glimpses into the group’s experiences. Gems like their unbelievable tale of having to go through 11 different singers before finding someone to sing on "Break You Off" or dealing with the controversy surrounding Eve and Jill Scott on "You Got Me," makes this as worthwhile a read as a listen.

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Remember The Roots are a band! Duh!, December 29, 2005

By 

Prof "Prof" (columbia, SC United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Home Grown: Guide to Understanding the Roots 2 (Audio CD)

I'm not sure who the newbies are posting reviews on this CD, but remember that the title of this CD is "The Beginners Guide to Understanding The Roots". It is not even remotely possible for a newbie Roots fan to 'understand' what is the greatest Hip Hop band ever without a listen to volume II. Whereas volume I is more of a "greatest hits" type CD, volume II is purely for 'schoolin' the newbies. I prefer this volume, because this CD has more material that I don't already have elsewhere. This CD was worth buying just for this version of "Don't Say Nothin", and who could ever have enough versions of "Essaywhuman"? Yes this CD is more of a showcase for the band, but this is a ledgendary band, what is there not to love.

I am a late 30'ish woman, and I love this music as much as students of mine that are 19 and 20. If you don't like stellar instumentation, then the Roots are not necessarily the band for you. As for me, I'll be the lady with the greying Afro dancing with abandon at the next Roots concert, hoping to hear some of these versions.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Pop It In And Enjoy The Ride Pt. II (4 Stars), November 30, 2005

By 

Norfeest "Yes Yes Y'all" (Washington DC USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Home Grown: Guide to Understanding the Roots 2 (Audio CD)

I don't normally start reviews like this, but I have to say that Mistermaxxx is out of his mind. He's a perfect example of a person that doesn't recognize any music that isn't played on the radio. If it ain't popular, he didn't hear it in the club, or it didn't come out during his heyday (probably the late 70's/early 80's) then he ain't feelin' it. He's stuck in a time warp and he makes it pretty obvious(check for yourself if you think I'm wrong). No hits? Please. I guess they got that grammy because there was no one else to give it to, right? Three words: You....Got.....Me. I guess he never heard Star, Break You Off, Silent Treatment, Distortion To Static, What You Want feat. Jaguar Wright, The Seed 2.0, or The Next Movement either, huh? What a loon. Anyway, on to the review.

Home Grown! The Beginner's Guide to Understanding The Roots, Vol. 2 is a pretty good album. In my opinion, Vol. 1 is better, but this album is still good. Vol. 2 includes some of The Roots' best material like "Adrenaline", "The Lesson Pt. 3", and "Thought @ Work". The liner notes are provided by ?uestlove and they're just as interesting and amusing as the liner notes on Vol. 1.

There are a few songs on this album that fall under "skip material". While they aren't bad, they aren't necessarily going to grab your attention. "Pass The Popcorn (Revisited)", "Break You Off (Dub/Sound Check)", "Don't Say Nuthin (Remix)" and "Sacrifice" all fall under this category. I can think of quite a few songs that would've better served this album. Other than that, the rest of the album is pretty good.

Home Grown! Vol. 2 should be a welcome addition to the library of any fan of good rap music. It's not quite on the level of Home Grown Vol.1 due to the boring/drawn out tracks, but it's still worth picking up. The Roots don't make bad music and this album is no exception. I recommend checking it out. It should make a great addition to your music library.

Standout Tracks: Adrenaline, Essaywhuman (Organix Version), Din Da Da, No Alibi, The Lesson Pt. 3, Thought @ Work, and Quicksand Millennium

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 4DaSoul.com Loves The Roots Home Grown!!, November 15, 2005

By 

Darren Monroe "The Soulful CEO of www.4DaSoul... - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Home Grown: Guide to Understanding the Roots 2 (Audio CD)

Great Albums (Vol 1 and Vol 2! A MUST HAVE for your collection!! Long time Roots fans this is a great way to get digital versions of the songs only available on wax. New Roots fans, this is the best way to get aquainted with the closest version of Earth Wind and Fire (hip hop style) for this generation!

From Jill Scott to Roy Ayers this is a classic!

The first time I saw the Roots live (they played in late 90's with Goodie Mob and The Fugees) I was sold! The Roots are known for their live shows and originality across the world!

Definetly 4DaSoul.

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