Ah, Root Down. I love this song.
This EP was released after Ill Communication, and at first I wasn’t sure I needed to own it. I had all the songs, right? And I don’t usually go for remixes of songs I love. However, this one is a keeper. Here’s why:
Root Down (Free Zone Mix) is a radically different imagining of the track. It’s basically a new song, in sound and approach. As much as I love the album track, I really like this too!!
Root Down (LP), of course, is the killer album version. Why this comes second in the mix instead of first, I couldn’t tell you.
Root Down (PP Balloon Mix) turns the track into more of a party jam, as if the album track wasn’t already. It’s quite a good version, more of a club feel.
*NB I linked to all three songs, so you can hear the differences. You’re welcome.
Tracks 4-10 were “Recorded LIVE in Europe, Winter 1995.” Sadly, there’s hardly (if any) crowd noise. I hate that. It’s live, let me hear it like I was there. Anyway.
Time To Get Ill is a super-cool run through. It has a great bottom end.
Heart Attack Man is a fun hardcore blast.
The Maestro has great sound… um, they’re a bit unhinged, here…
Sabrosa remains a superb instrumental.
Flute Loop has huge bass compared to the album. Huge. A superb version.
Time For Livin’ is more sweet hardcore. Woo!
Something’s Got To Give is still a cool slow groove, with a toy bomb noise added here and there for this version. Big effects on the vocals, almost like a buzzsaw or a tree frog or something. Also, from 4:28-4:57 there’s a brief hidden track, which is a snippet of So What’cha Want in Hebrew. Sounds like a radio commercial, but I can’t translate.
In sum: Is this an essential EP? Yes it is. There’s definite value for the money, even in just the title track versions alone. But the live tracks are the clincher. I don’t think they ever released an official live album, did they? A live DVD, yes (I have that), but not a live album. Weird. Anyway, this CD is great fun!
keepsmealive 
Thanx MUCHO for links to alternate versions, hadn’t heard them. Root Down is THE album for me….. doing the ‘I have to pee’ dance in anticipation ……
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They really are different, aren’t they! The Root Down ep can be had for cheap, and I highly recommend it. The live versions also kick ass.
It IS Hello Nasty you want! I can tell. Well, we’re ALMOST there…
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Also, if you have to pee, the wc is down the hall, on the right. Do NOT piss on my rug.
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With crowd noise, I like it somewhere in between. I don’t like a lot of it, which seems to be a trend these days.
So What’cha Want in Hebrew? Fucking cool, man.
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Me, I want the full show. Perfect template: Rollins Band’s The Only Way To Know For Sure. A monster live album, straight from the stage to the CD. No fixes. Now THAT is purity. And killer tunes. Damn I love that album.
It wasn’t the B-Boys doing the Hebrew, it was the radio station guys. Still, fun!
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That is what I would call a perfect live album. We are alike on that one. I feel sweaty listening to it.
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I have a “Blood of Abraham” CD -they rap in Hebrew, heavy political shit about Israel, judging from the english tracks.
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ROLLINS!! Man, that live album is the perfect workout CD. I plug that, go for a run… and there’s ol’ Angry Ass Hank kicking my ass, saying if he can do it, why can’t I? EXACTLY.
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