The Top Dj's Source For Music

During their tenure as house band for “Late Night With Jimmy Fallon”, the Roots– led by drummer and musical mastermind Ahmir “?uestlove” Thompson– have taken many opportunities to poke fun or pay tribute to guests by choosing punny, sly, or referential walk-on music. Oftentimes, these mini-gags double as the best punchlines of the night.

But many thought they went too far with their pick for Republican presidential candidate Michele Bachmann last week: Fishbone’s 1985 track “Lyin’ Ass Bitch”. A minor political firestorm followed, with the likes of Bill O’Reilly as well as many women’s groups voicing their disapproval. Bachmann herself called the incident sexist, and said it “wouldn’t be tolerated if it was Michelle Obama and shouldn’t be tolerated for a conservative woman, either.”

With the Roots’ new album undun due out next week, we spoke with ?uestlove on Tuesday about the Bachmann incident, which understandably had him a bit shook and scared for his job. But, as he told us with a laugh, one of his good friends and famed collaborators was actually hoping he’d get suspended: D’Angelo.

Apparently, the elusive soul singer– whose last album, the stunning Voodoo, is nearly 12 years old– saw the dustup as an opportunity to take ?uest back on the road with him when D starts a European tour in January. And as for that forever-awaited follow-up to Voodoo, ?uestlove says it’s “97% done” and that it’s “the black version of [The Beach Boys'] Smile.” While there have admittedly been countless false alarms as far as D’Angelo’s comeback over the years, 2012 is looking extremely promising at the moment.

for the whole story click here. pitchfork.com

{ 0 comments }