The Roots The Roots Come Alive Limited Extended Yellow Vinyl Edition

The most sought after HipHop Live-Album comes as a limited reissue.

The Roots Come Alive is a live album by the hip-hop group The Roots, released on November 2, 1999. This album captures the energy and musicianship of The Roots' live performances, showcasing their dynamic fusion of hip-hop, jazz, soul, and funk. It was recorded during various concerts in Europe and New York, giving listeners a front-row seat to one of the most revered live acts in hip-hop.

The Roots Come Alive is a live performance album that includes renditions of songs from their previous studio albums, as well as new improvisations and extended versions of tracks.
The Roots are known for their live instrumentation, a rarity in hip-hop at the time, and this album highlights their skills as a live band. Questlove (Ahmir Thompson) on drums and Black Thought (Tariq Trotter) as the lead MC, along with the rest of the band, exhibit a tight, cohesive sound with rich musical textures, showing their ability to translate their studio work into a live setting.

The album blends elements of hip-hop, jazz, funk, soul, and rock, reflecting The Roots' eclectic approach to music. It features live interpretations of their recorded tracks with a heavier emphasis on instrumental solos, improvised jams, and extended breakdowns that highlight the musicianship of the group. Unlike many hip-hop concerts that rely on pre-recorded tracks, The Roots perform with a full band, bringing a fresh and unique sound to each performance.

Key Tracks:
"Proceed" – A standout track, showcasing Black Thought’s lyrical dexterity with an extended instrumental jam.
"You Got Me" (featuring Erykah Badu and Jill Scott on the original studio version) – The live version is electrifying, with emotive vocals and powerful instrumentation that add extra depth to this already popular track.
"Essaywhuman?!!!??!" – A live favorite that features The Roots’ improvisational ability, blending live beatboxing, instrument solos, and crowd interaction.
"The Next Movement" – One of their hit singles, which gets a lively, expanded treatment in the concert setting, complete with additional grooves and audience interaction.
"Silent Treatment" – A jazzier, more relaxed live rendition of their classic from Do You Want More?!!!??!, with a focus on the band’s fluidity and Black Thought’s introspective lyrics.

The album does an excellent job of capturing the crowd interaction and the raw energy of The Roots' live shows. Audience cheers, call-and-response segments, and ad-libs contribute to the feel of being at a live concert. Questlove’s drumming, along with the band’s interplay, is a central feature throughout the performances, keeping the groove alive while allowing for spontaneous musical expression.

The album was well received by critics, who praised it for capturing the vitality of The Roots' live performances, which had earned them a reputation as one of the best live acts in hip-hop.
The Roots Come Alive was seen as a bold move, especially at a time when live albums were not common in the hip-hop genre. It reinforced The Roots' status as innovators, who brought an instrumental and performance-based approach to a genre dominated by turntablism and samples.

The album helped further The Roots’ reputation as a trailblazing group that could blend musicality with the raw essence of hip-hop, standing out among their contemporaries.
Their success with this live album also contributed to the growing appreciation of hip-hop as a form of live performance art, influencing other artists to explore live shows in more dynamic ways.
The Roots Come Alive is considered one of the most important live albums in the hip-hop genre, showing that the energy of a live band could be fused with the lyrical power of rap in a seamless, exciting way.

The album bridges the gap between studio precision and live improvisation, showcasing why The Roots were able to gain a wide-ranging fanbase across both hip-hop purists and lovers of live music. It stands as a testament to their creativity and musicianship.