Step Into the Realm

Step Into the Realm

Ever since I picked up one of The Roots’ earlier albums, “Things Fall Apart,” in eleventh grade, I was determined to catch them perform live at least once in my life. The way the group (consisting of lead MC Black Thought, drummer ?uestlove, guitarist Captain Kirk Douglas, bassist Owen Biddle, keyboardist Kamal Gray and percussionist F. Knuckles) has managed to combine hip-hop with other forms of music, such as jazz, soul and rock, in their long careers is truly unique and unlike anything else in the hip-hop world today. After many failed attempts within the past four years to see them, I became a little hopeful when I heard they were hired to be the house band for Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. I imagined that The Roots would perform semi-regularly around the city during this new stint. Luckily, a few weeks after they announced their long-term TV gig, they also announced that they would be hosting a three-month, late night residency at Highline Ballroom for only ten dollars a ticket. How could I not take advantage of this opportunity?  

When first walking into the Ballroom, The Roots’ personal DJ, DJ Birdbrain, is spinning old school hip-hop tunes with hints of new school technology. The music immediately put the bass speakers to work, and it got the diverse crowd dancing in no time. I managed to get up to the front of the stage, noticing behind me all sorts of people. Frat boys were to my left, overdressed party girls to my right, and hipsters, bohemians, hip-hop heads and bookworms were right behind me. Noticing that such a vast array of people could come together to experience one band was surreal, since it’s rare to see all these people in the same room. The lingering smell of overpriced booze and marijuana snuck into the venue were signs that a good show was coming my way.

The Roots casually strutted on stage at about 11 p.m. They looked ecstatic and grateful about the crowded venue, and lead MC Black Thought immediately thanked everybody for coming out and “partying” with them. The six-piece band began playing, and the crowd was taken on a trip.

The show, entitled The Jam, had two main purposes: to exhibit the talents of the band’s instrumentals, and showcase the band’s many friends. One of the special aspects of The Roots is that they refuse to sample other artists’ songs, so they have the additional challenge of being wholly creative. However, the band managed to show their true talents, playing such musical genres as neo-soul, funk, pure rock, smooth jazz, and the blues during their set. Their jam sessions would last for a good ten minutes, then would be connected to a new song by a simple guitar riff or drum solo. Within these jam sessions would be solos of epic proportions, as they highlighted the immense talents of Douglas, Biddle and ?uestlove. Douglas, in particular, set the stage on fire with his one-handed guitar solos and soulful showmanship, modeling such guitar legends as Jimi Hendrix and Muddy Waters.

Along with The Roots, their posse of friends and colleagues put on a great show, which made the event into a family affair. While most of the artists who performed with The Roots are fairly unknown, their musical contributions made the concert more like a family get-together than just an ordinary concert. Up-and-coming rapper Wale made friends with the audience as he passed around his camcorder to record audience reactions to his songs, while fellow rapper Truck North reminded me of a younger Biggie Smalls as he free-styled for about five minutes, a feat that is difficult for almost any rapper. Funk metal singer and guitarist Corey Glover brought down the house with his raw, soulful voice and emotion seeping out of his guitar. Legendary jazz singer Dee Dee Bridgewater also strutted out with a ferociousness that showed that an old timer like she could entertain a younger audience. Along with all of these singers and rappers was a Brooklyn-based African band Antibalas, who, with their saxophones and bongos, added an eclectic international flare to an already diverse show.

By the end of the night, The Roots and Company had played for two hours. Although the show ended at one in the morning, I could barely feel the passage of time because I was dancing the whole time. The Roots definitely know how to throw a great party, along with performing a great show. Should one dish out their money for this residency? Absolutely. Anyone with an open-minded appreciation to music shouldn’t, and have no real excuse to miss this residency. I know I’ll be taking advantage of this distinctive opportunity; I already bought my set of tickets for next month.

The Roots Present The Jam will be presented on April 1, 6, 14, 21, May 5, 13, 18, 26, June 2, 10, 16, and 23 at Highline Ballroom on West 16th Street between Ninth and Tenth Avenue. Tickets are ten dollars in advance and twelve dollars at the door. A limited number of tickets are sold the day of the show. Doors typically open at 11 PM, unless otherwise noted. Guest artists vary from show to show.