Common, Kweli, Fall Out Boy +More Appear On Upcoming Album From The Roots

Info about the tenth album from The Roots has trickled out in small pieces, reminding us that it's being recorded without divulging too much. The latest morsel available about Rising Down is a string of artists who collaborated on tracks with The Roots. According to a post on OkayPlayer today, the album is brimming with all-star guests including Mos Def, Common, Kweli, Peedi Peedi, Styles P, Wale, Patrick Stump, Mercedes Martinez, and Chrisette Michelle. Unconfirmed guests are suspected too like Q-Tip, Lupe Fiasco and Jay Electronica. A press release last week mentioned that "Birthday Girl" featuring Patrick Stump of Fall Out Boy will be included on Rising Down. A wiki entry for the album has a quote from ?uestlove where he compares this album to Blade Runner:

"We have a bunch of keyboards and synthesizers we're using on this record. It feels like the musical equivalent of 'Blade Runner' sometimes. We've also added a horn section has divulged that while the album's direction is as yet uncertain, keyboardist Kamal Gray is utilizing more synthesizers than Fender Rhodes in his playing this time around."

This matches a statement ?uestlove made to Billboard last summer:

"To me, it's an electronic feel. It's not synthetic all of the way, like with drum machines and synths, but as far as our keyboard textures are concerned, we use a lot of old vintage synthesizer sounds. It's something we haven't done on past Roots records."

All sources agree that the album is due for release on April 29th from Def Jam.Scope OkayPlayer for more info and updates.In other news, The Roots will host their 5th Annual Jam Session on February 9th. This year, The Roots Jam Session will be a launch pad for voter awareness in hopes of encouraging and enabling more of America's youth to vote in the Presidential election. More info at PRNewswire.com