This came out in 1999 – or at least that’s when I got it. Here’s what I said about it back then (with some minor editing):
Some bands make great studio albums but can’t recreate them onstage. Others can never manage to capture their live act on tape. Philadelphia’s hip-hop virtuosos The Roots are one of the lucky few bands who can do it all.
In fact, after spinning this stunning concert recording, it’s hard to tell whether they’re better live or on Memorex. They’re not only one of the few hip-hop acts whose members play instruments. They also play them very well, impressively translating their studio tracks with spot-on musicianship and jazzy, in-the-pocket grooves — and without any samplers, loops or elecronic trickery. Then again, they don’t need that stuff — they have Rahzel The Godfather Of Noyze, a human beatbox who recreates all those sounds (and many, many more) with just his throat. On this set, he might be the secret weapon that truly makes The Roots come alive.
