http://iheartdilla.com/ihd/2011/12/review-undun-by-the-roots.html

Roots are undoubtedly one of the best live acts in the world but their recorded output has often failed to live up to their majestic performance standards.

That is until now.

undun, a concept album based around the life and death of Redford Stephens, a fictional composite figure fatally involved in Philadelphia’s crack trade, is certainly the band’s most consistent long player since Things Fall Apart and is probably their best ever.

The benefits of the band’s tenure as Jimmy Fallon’s house band began to appear on last years How I Got Over when the they let the high quality of their playing speak for itself.

That approach is all over undun with live drums, guitar, keyboards and strings dominating the soundscape.

From the opening ‘dun’, a short instrumental depicting the moment of Rerdford’s death, to the closing four song suite, this album has many moments of lyrical and musical greatness and innovation.

Exquisite details can be found in every track. The squeaking of the piano on the Redford, the multiple vocals on Sleep, the funky as hell drums on The Otherside and the Spectorish piano on One Time all denote a production team at the top of its game.

Some will say the number of guests - Dice Raw, K.R.I.T., Phonte and Greg Porn among others – hinders the skills of resident MC Black Thought.

In the past this may have had some substance but this time around, the band’s co-founder cements his reputation as one of the best rappers around.

His flow and lyrics are the high points of this album. It’s his verses that perfectly fit the atmosphere conveyed by the musicians and the overall feel of the album.

That said The Roots certainly pick and use their guests perfectly. Bilal contributes a soaring hook on The Otherside, the Jazzyfatnastees contribute beautifully to a couple of tracks and mad pianist DD Johnson lets it rip in a crazy duet with ?uestlove on Will to Power from the closing suite.

This album, though different in sound, feel and tone to both Watch the Throne and My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, extends the artistic contribution hip-hop is making. on its own, to innovation in popular music.

It is in short a work of bravery, sophistication, performance and production of the highest quality.

It deserves THE Grammy in 2013.

iHD rating 5/5