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John Legend & The Roots: Wake Up!

Columbia

By covering social and political protest songs from heroes of the ‘60s and ‘70s including Marvin Gaye (“Wholy Holy”) and Bill Withers (“I Can’t Write Left Handed”), along with lesser known greats like Baby Huey & the Babysitters (“Hard Times”), Wake Up! is a sonic head-slap meant to shake Americans out of their complacency. We’re still waging wars while our own cities fall apart and John Legend and The Roots, along with guests Common and Melanie Fiona, have had enough. Each track has its share of interesting moments, but it doesn’t get any better than the super funky, horn-heavy opening cover of Eugene McDaniels’ “Compared to What” and the banging rendition of Ernie Hines’ “Our Generation.” Equal parts rock, R&B, soul and hip-hop with a touch of reggae and gospel, Roots MC Black Thought spikes the punch with a fierce flow anytime things threaten to get a little too smooth.