About Product Images
This image is a general representation of the item and the actual product may differ slightly in terms of color shading, logo placement, borders, or other small details. Used items may have various cosmetic differences as well.![Enlarge](javascript:show_product_image("https://cdn1.dustygroove.org/images/products/r/roots~~~~~~_phrenolog_101b.jpg"); "View larger image")
Phrenology (limited edition CD & DVD)
CD (Item 503414) MCA, 2002 — Condition: Used CD & DVD
On Things Fall Apart ?uestlove, Black Thought, DJ Scratch, Rahzel and co. reinvigorated the scene with a Philly style soulful, melancholy groove that seemingly influenced the entirety of the NuSoul world – and it could even be argued that the Roots birthed that whole scene. Phrenology carries that torch, but it's so, SO much more, as the heady nature weighed the previous LP down in spots, and Phrenology is a sprawling exercise in expectation-busting perfection! "Rock You" kicks things off in explosive fashion, forgoing the laid back, yet angry soul backbone the group pioneered in hop hop, for a massive electro pulse pounding style – with Black Thought frenetically spitting confrontational wisdom until the synth unexpectedly dives into a short burst of live hardcore punk with "!!!!!!!" (we know what you're thinking, but trust us, it REALLY works). "Sacrifice" features a surprisingly effective chorus sung by Nelly Furtado, and other guest spots include Kweli heating up "Rolling With Heat", Ursula Rucker kicking some reverential poetry on "Waok (ay) Rollcall", and Musiq on the single "Break You Off". Other highlights include the late 80s Bomb Squad-like production on "Thought @ Work", the group's live instrumentation (and ?uestlove's always great trap work) and soul claps on tunes like "The Seed (2.0)", the epic "Water", and "Complexity" with Jill Scott. If you're solely of the 2 turntables and a mic camp you may want to head elsewhere, but if you've been anxiously awaiting the new Roots LP like we have, you'll be knocked straight on your arse, welled up with tears of joy. The best major label hip hop album of '02, and a beauty to go in the time capsule for future generations to learn, and mourn what they missed first hand. Amazing!!! Other tracks include "Quills", "Pussy Galore", and "Something In The Way Of Things (In Town)". © 1996-2023, Dusty Groove, Inc.
(Limited edition CD comes with a bonus DVD.)
(Limited edition CD comes with a bonus DVD.)
Additional Marks & Notes
If something is noteworthy, we try to note it in the comments — especially if it is an oddity that is the only wrong thing about the record. This might include, but isn't limited to, warped records, tracks that skip, cover damage or wear as noted above, or strictly cosmetic flaws.
Used CD Grade
We only use the grade "Used CD" for non-new CDs. This all-encompassing grade was chosen it because we only buy and offer used CDs in the best possible condition.
When you purchase a used CD you can expect the disc to be free of all but the lightest of surface marks, the case to be clean (we often change the cases ourselves), and the booklet to be in good shape. Used CDs may show some signs of use, but if there are significant details or defects we will describe the item's condition (just like we do with LPs), so look for notes on cutout marks, stickers, promo stamps or other details before ordering.
All of our used CDs are guaranteed to play without skipping or flaws. After you receive a used CD from Dusty Groove, you have 1 week to play it to determine that it plays correctly. If it does not, you can request a return for a full refund.
You might be interested
Blackalicious
Blazing ArrowMCA, 2002. Used
A huge moment for Blackalicious – a group who'd been gaining plenty of cred on the underground, and who reached out to a much bigger set of ears with this major label debut! The whole thing's top-shelf through and through – superb production from Chief Xcel next to the words from Gift ... CD
Lauryn Hill
MTV Unplugged 2.0Columbia, 2002. Used 2 CDs
Ms Hill's notorious double album follow up to the Miseducation Of. . . album – a pretty nice set of unvarnished, intimate performances that would have gone done a lot smoother in an earlier era! After the whirlwind success of her first solo album, Lauryn, either a) decided that the peak of ... CD
Various
Solesides Greatest BumpsQuannum, 1990s. Used 2 CDs
From the now well-known, and then unknown, Norhtern California Solesides crew: Blackalicious, Latyrx, and Shadow. Early (and formerly hard-to-find) Shadow sides like "Entropy" and "Hardcore Instrumental Hip Hop" are included, along with "SayThat", "Lady Don't Tek ... CD
Kendrick Lamar
Good Kid MAAD CityAftermath, 2012. Used
The second album from Kendrick Lamar, and the one that really helped bring his talents to the rest of the world – and maybe mark a whole new generation of hip hop in the process! At some level, Lamar is in the same territory as many of the south Cali rappers before him – with tales of ... CD
Common
Finding ForeverGeffen, 2007. Used
Common lean, filler free late 80s Finding Forever – a set that's definitely the thematic follow up to the semi-comeback BE LP – and a solid one, with highpoints that equal Com's best work of the decade! The set is largely produced by Kanye West, with some terse, harder hitting moments, ... CD
Prefuse 73
Vocal Studies & Uprock NarrativesWarp, 2003. Used
This album marks the start of a beautiful schism in hip hop production that die hard purists may or may not be so happy with. But, in no time at all, Scott Herren's debut on Warp paved a new original style of sample manipulation and composition that has awed critics and has been mimicked ... CD
Kanye West
Late RegistrationDef Jam, 2005. Used
We loved the debut as much as the rest of the world did, but this one's an easier listen from beginning to end. The production is tight, the guests earn their spots, and the whole thing's furiously soulful. Much is being made of LA hipster/orch pop troubadour Jon Brion's co-production, but this ... CD
Nas
Hip Hop Is DeadDef Jam, 2006. Used
Leave it to career iconoclast Nas to declare Hip Hop Is Dead on his Def Jam debut – a defiantly straight up hip hop record that's one of the leanest full lengths he's delivered since his abbreviated debut masterpiece! Hip Hop Is Dead, not surprisingly, is actually a very lively LP – ... CD
Madlib & Others
Madlib's Medicine Show Number 12 – Raw Medicine – Madlib RemixesMadlib Invazion, 2011. Used
The supposed conclusion in the madly epic Medicine Show series from Madlib – Number 12, and it's a hazy, funky, rawly brilliant batch of hip hop remixes from the mid 00s onward – 60+ minutes and 30+ unlisted tracks that's pretty much quintessential Madlib hip hop! We're not going to ... CD
Killah Priest
Heavy MentalGeffen, 1998. Used
One of the better Wu side projects from 1998, includes "Fake MCs", "Cross My Heart", "Tai Chi", "If You Don't Know" & "Science Project", plus Killah Priest's version of the GZA classic "BIBLE (Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth)". CD
Airto
HomelessMELT 2000 (UK), 2000. Used
Airto's working with a bit of electronics here, but the album's still got plenty of greatness to offer – loads of Mr Moreira's trademark percussion, mixed in with with a bit of flutes, cuica, and keyboards too! The production has a somewhat ambitious feel – spreading Airto's sound out ... CD
