Undun /

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Amidst The Roots' busy schedule, from performing as the house band on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon to recently fronting a Pre-Emmy Awards jam session, the legendary crew has returned with their latest musical creation, a new album entitled undun (Island Def Jam). Set for release on December 6, 2011, undun marks the first conceptually-based album from The Roots and quickly reaffirms the creativity of the outfit that are notorious for pushing the envelope. The album's first single, "Make My" featuring Big K.I.R.T. is set for release November 1st on iTunes.

In addition to their new album, The Roots are set to perform in New York City on November 29th and 30th and December 5th at the Highline Ballroom. undun is an existential re-telling of the short life of one Redford Stephens (1974-1999). Through the use of emotives and Redford's internal dialogues the album seeks to illustrate the intersection of free will and prescribed destiny as it plays out `on the corner'.

Utilizing a reverse narrative arc, the album begins as the listener finds Redford disoriented--postmortem--and attempting to make sense of his former life. As he moves through its pivotal moments he begins to deconstruct all that has led to his (and our own) coming undun. "At this point in our career we'd like for our work to have a unifying theme, and an experiential quality," says Ahmir "?uestlove" Thompson, 40.

"We've been intentionally making our albums shorter in length so that they can be experienced as a continuous work. The music is band-oriented with an eye on the moody cinematic. As a DJ, I am the King of playlists, but I don't want our albums to feel like a playlist or a mixtape for that matter.

We want to tell stories that work within the album format and we want the stories to be nuanced and useful to people. undun is the story of this kid who becomes criminal, but he wasn't born criminal. He's not the nouveau exotic primitive bug-eyed gunrunner like Tupac's character Bishop in "Juice"...he's actually thoughtful and is neither victim nor hero.

Just some kid who begins to order his world in a way that makes the most sense to him at a given moment...At the end of the day...isn't that what we all do?"

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    Howard Pendleton liked and reviewed Undun /
    
    First listen turned into three consecutive listen's right through. The Roots are ever-changing, yet consistently bringing a mesh of music that leaves me wanting more. I finish an album excited to... more
    
    First listen turned into three consecutive listen's right through. The Roots are ever-changing, yet consistently bringing a mesh of music that leaves me wanting more. I finish an album excited to listen to it again and almost sad that I know it'll be a couple years before they release another set of tracks. Undun is unique in it's own way....I know there is a running story-line through the soundtrack, but I only pick up on bits and pieces when I first start listening to it, because I'm so absorbed in the sound of it all. I watched the trailers and videos on Youtube. I was already a fan before this album because of that, but then again...I can't be that biased if I also know that the Roots hold themselves to such a high standard of music making, that I know I will be getting something that is well thought out and has a concerted effort by all members. Even the heavier track's could be listened to while in bed...or in your car..bobbin' your head. All I can say is that I yearn for mor...
    
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    Art reviewed Undun /
    
    Another successful album by the Roots crew- a thought provoking concept detailing the demise of a young brother in the streets.
    
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    Cary S. Hedges reviewed Undun /
    
    Sounds good :)
    
    6 months
    
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    Jc Aboyte liked and reviewed Undun /
    
    ,
    
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    TNookie liked and reviewed Undun /
    
    awesome!
    
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    Neal Caffrey is Batman reviewed Undun /
    
    cool
    
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    ralphy8a liked and reviewed Undun /
    
    good
    
    6 months
    
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    Lutz Abella reviewed Undun /
    
    dope
    
    6 months
    
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Amidst The Roots' busy schedule, from performing as the house band on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon to recently fronting  a Pre-Emmy Awards jam session, the legendary crew has returned with their latest musical creation, a new album entitled undun (Island Def Jam). Set for release on December 6, 2011, undun marks the first conceptually-based album from The Roots and quickly reaffirms the creativity of the outfit that are notorious for pushing the envelope. The album's first single, "Make My" featuring Big K.I.R.T. is set for release November 1st on iTunes. In addition to their new album, The Roots are set to perform in New York City on November 29th and 30th and December 5th at the Highline Ballroom.    <P>undun is an existential re-telling of the short life of one Redford Stephens (1974-1999). Through the use of emotives and Redford's internal dialogues the album seeks to illustrate the intersection of free will and prescribed destiny as it plays out `on the corner'. Utilizing a reverse narrative arc, the album begins as the listener finds Redford disoriented--postmortem--and attempting to make sense of his former life. As he moves through its pivotal moments he begins to deconstruct all that has led to his (and our own) coming undun.    <P>"At this point in our career we'd like for our work to have a unifying theme, and an experiential quality," says Ahmir "?uestlove" Thompson, 40. "We've been intentionally making our albums shorter in length so that they can be experienced as a continuous work. The music is band-oriented with an eye on the moody cinematic. As a DJ, I am the King of playlists, but I don't want our albums to feel like a playlist or a mixtape for that matter. We want to tell stories that work within the album format and we want the stories to be nuanced and useful to people. undun is the story of this kid who becomes criminal, but he wasn't born criminal. He's not the nouveau exotic primitive bug-eyed gunrunner like Tupac's character Bishop in "Juice"... he's actually thoughtful and is neither victim nor hero. Just some kid who begins to order his world in a way that makes the most sense to him at a given moment... At the end of the day... isn't that what we all do?"

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Undun /

By The Roots, 2011

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Undun /

By The Roots, 2011

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