John Legend and Roots are Majestically Political

R&B/Soul star, John Legend is back with his strong and invigorating voice, this time accompanied by long time Hip-Hop band, The Roots. The album is pure funk/soul magic, lifting us off the ground with powerful lyrics and jazz/hip-hop drumming at the hand of drummer and band director, QuestLove. The collaboration begins with the track "Hard Times," with John Legend spreading his voice over the deeply soulful melody. Next is funky tune, "Compared To What," a trippy, neo-soul sound lead by a slappy guitar and high hats, gracefully inspired by the great James Brown. The track is mostly instrumental with a sassy saxophone solo, along side John Legend belting out occasional lyrics. "Wake Up Everybody" features rising singer/songwriter, Melanie Fiona and underground Hip-Hop genius, Common. With inspiring lyrics and beautiful harmonies, Melanie somewhat sounds like a young Lauryn Hill, backed up by Common with a positive hook, inviting us to change the world. Upbeat, bluesy track "Our Generation," obviously layered with horns and tambourines is also positively powerful, challenging the listeners to have hope and change their current situations for the better. (Has the sound of the beginnings of a modern freedom movement) John Legend goes straight back to church with his soulfully raspy voice, followed by a quick verse by Black Thought. "Little Ghetto Boy (The Prelude)" is a spoken word excerpt from Chicago based poet, Malik Yusef. The poem proudly presents the story of what a child sees growing up in the ghetto. The poem moves forward into the song, "Little Ghetto Boy," sung by John Legend with a political verse from Black Thought. "Hang On In There" channels an early Temptations tune, smooth and story-telling. "Humanity (Love The Way It Should Be)", inspired by Bob Marleydom, free-spirited and carefree, promotes life and love wrapped in a lighthearted melody. "Wholy Holy", very different from the rest of the album, is a very slow, jazz/R&B track, with lazy vocals and luminous relaxing energy. "I Can't Write Left Handed" is a track traveling down memory lane, visiting old Black America and the transitions that were faced after the Vietnam War. John Legend narrates while the old music, lead by the piano, inspires his tone. "I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel To Be Free" is also a spoken word track accompanied by the classic "Roots" sounds; slow and jazzy, then later fades into "Shine," a religious inspired melody coated with the voice of John Legend and his fabulously seasoned piano skills. "Shine" again appears in a different version, more classic of John's older songs such as "Ordinary People" (The Roots let him go solo on this track), with light piano rifts and powerful voice. The album comes to an end with a live rendition of "Wake Up Everybody," reminding us of the focus of the collaboration. Overall, this is a particularly political album, rising against racism, social classes and poverty in our society. The Roots and John Legend promote their content with sounds we love, lyrics we respect and magic we've longed for.