Monday, September 17

Workaholics

From the September 13 issue of the Chronicle:

With the passing of James Brown, The Roots could easily be one of the next artists staking claim to the moniker “hardest working group in showbiz.”

Constantly touring, backing up Jay-Z or partaking in the summer festival circuit, the Philly sextet has been on the grind since 1989. Held up by lyricist Black Thought and rock-solid, nomad percussionist ?uestlove, their live shows are anything but the standard hip-hop stage comprised of an MC and DJ.

Funkified workouts of old soul songs, rock ‘n’ roll medleys including “Iron Man,” and their recent retooling of Bob Dylan’s “Masters of War” are all possibilities.

Unfairly labeled underground and sellouts by some, there’s a reason they’ve dubbed themselves “The Legendary Roots Crew” and have released eight albums.

The group, along with Big Daddy Kane and MC Lyte, lands tonight in Denver at the Paramount Theatre, 1621 Glenarm Place. The show begins at 8 p.m. Tickets are $39.50, plus service charges. Visit paramountdenver.com. By Brian Park

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