The Roots reissues ‘Do You Want More?!!!??! Deluxe Edition’ after 26 years

Nostalgia is a powerful tool in coping with and overcoming life obstacles. Well, it just so happens that the 25th anniversary of The Roots‘ jazz-hip hop hybrid, live instrumentation masterpiece and major label debut Do You Want More?!!!??! fell on one the most disastrous years in world history — 2020. Teleporting back to the safe haven of 1995 sounds way more enticing than embracing an unpredictable future, especially now that the world is coming back online. So, let’s do it! Remember “Distortion to Static”? Remember “Mellow My Man”? Even the bass-bumping, echoing “Intro / There’s Something Goin’ On” is enough to bring a smile from yesteryear to your face.

Two and a half decades later, The Roots prove their original claim — they “shall proceed and continue to rock the mic”.

But, hold on, why should I spend money on an album I’ve possessed since ’95? The Do You Want More?!!!??! Deluxe Edition 3LP set includes nine bonus tracks curated by Questlove and a 24-page booklet with images by Mpozi Tolbert, essays by the main men MC Tariq “Black Thought” Trotter and drummer Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson, as well as band commentary of every track! Wait, you ACTUALLY want more??! You got it. For the realest Roots lovers, there is the ultimate 4LP pack with the same 24-page booklet and an additional 18 songs (some never before released!!). Of course, those who aren’t purist vinyl junkies can find it all online… but, what’s the fun in that? Plus, the accompanying booklet shines a light on the band like you’ll never believe. Did you know that the catalyst for releasing this album was the unexpected and tragic death of Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain? Did you know that before this debut album was available in the United States, The Roots did a six-month stint in the UK, scrambling to make ends meet? Albeit without affluence at the time, both Questlove and Black Thought look back at their stay in England as one of the best times of their lives.

Get a real behind-the-scenes look into one of the most influential hip hop acts of all time with Do You Want More?!!!??! Deluxe Edition, available now through the streaming and purchase links below via Geffen/Ume. For more information, make sure to follow The Roots on social media to see what the dynamic duo does next (in between episode tapings of The Tonight Show, Starring Jimmy Fallon, of course).

Purchase or stream ‘Do You Want More?!!!??! Deluxe Edition’ album:

• Apple Music
• Spotify
• Amazon
• Pandora
• YouTube Music
• Tidal
• Physical vinyl [3LP & 4LP]

3LP track listing:

Side A

1. A1 Intro / There’s Something Goin’ On
2. A2       Proceed
3. A3       Distortion To Static
4. A4       Mellow My Man
5. A5       I Remain Calm

Side B

1. B1       Datskat
2. B2       Lazy Afternoon
3. B3       ? vs. Rahzel
4. B4       Do You Want More?!!!??!

Side C

1. C1       What Goes On Pt. 7
2. C2       Essaywhuman?!!!??!
3. C3       Swept Away
4. C4       You Ain’t Fly

Side D

1. D1       Silent Treatment
2. D2       The Lesson Pt. 1
3. D3       The Unlocking

Side E – (Bonus Tracks)

1. E1       Proceed II, feat. Roy Ayers
2. E2       Proceed III *available for the first time digitally
3. E3       Proceed IV (AJ Shine Mix)  *available for the first time digitally
4. E4       Proceed V (Beatminerz Mix)  *available for the first time digitally
5. E5       Silent Treatment (Kelo’s Remix)  *available for the first time digitally

Side F – (Bonus Tracks)

1. F1        Silent Treatment (Beatminerz Remix)  *available for the first time digitally
2. F2        Silent Treatment (Black Thought’s 87 You And Yours Mix)  *available for the first time digitally
3. F3        Silent Treatment (Question’s Mix)  *available for the first time digitally
4. F4        Silent Treatment (Street Mix)  *available for the first time digitally

4LP track listing:

Side A

1. A1 Intro / There’s Something Goin’ On
2. A2       Proceed
3. A3       Distortion To Static
4. A4       Mellow My Man
5. A5       I Remain Calm

Side B

1. B1       Datskat
2. B2       Lazy Afternoon
3. B3       ? vs. Rahzel
4. B4       Do You Want More?!!!??!

Side C

1. C1       What Goes On Pt. 7
2. C2       Essaywhuman?!!!??!
3. C3       Swept Away
4. C4       You Ain’t Fly

Side D

1. D1       Silent Treatment
2. D2       The Lesson Pt. 1
3. D3       The Unlocking

Side E – (Bonus Tracks)

1. E1       Proceed II, feat. Roy Ayers
2. E2       Proceed III *available for the first time digitally
3. E3       Proceed IV (AJ Shine Mix)  *available for the first time digitally
4. E4       Proceed V (Beatminerz Mix)  *available for the first time digitally
5. E5       Silent Treatment (Kelo’s Remix)  *available for the first time digitally

Side F – (Bonus Tracks)

1. F1        Silent Treatment (Beatminerz Remix)  *available for the first time digitally
2. F2        Silent Treatment (Black Thought’s 87 You And Yours Mix)  *available for the first time digitally
3. F3        Silent Treatment (Question’s Mix)  *available for the first time digitally
4. F4        Silent Treatment (Street Mix)  *available for the first time digitally

Side G – (Bonus Tracks)

1. G1       In Your Dreams Kid (I’m Every MC) *unreleased
2. G2       The Ultimate (Original ’94 Version) *unreleased
3. G3       ……(dot dot dot…on & on) *unreleased
4. G4       Pffat Time *available for the first time digitally

Side H – (Bonus Tracks)

1. H1       Swept Away (Original Draft) *unreleased
2. H2       It’s Coming
3. H3       Lazy Afternoon (Alternate Version) *unreleased
4. H4       Distortion To Static (Freestyle Mix) [Clean] *available for the first time digitally
5. H5       Distortion To Static (Quest Jim Mix) [Clean] *available for the first time digitally

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Disclaimer: All views presented in this album review are those of the reviewer and not necessarily those of Top Shelf Music.