Rooty | ||||
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Studio album by Basement Jaxx | ||||
Released | 25 June 2001 | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 42:43 | |||
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Producer |
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Basement Jaxx chronology | ||||
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Singles from Rooty | ||||
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Professional ratings | |
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Aggregate scores | |
Source | Rating |
Metacritic | 82/100 |
Review scores | |
Source | Rating |
AllMusic | |
Blender | |
Entertainment Weekly | A− |
The Guardian | |
NME | 8/10 |
Pitchfork | 3.8/10 |
Q | |
Rolling Stone | |
Spin | 8/10 |
The Village Voice | A− |
Rooty is the second studio album by English electronic music duo Basement Jaxx, released in June 2001 by record labels XL and Astralwerks in the UK and US respectively.
Like its predecessor Remedy, Rooty was well-received critically and commercially. Five singles were released from the album: "Romeo", "Jus 1 Kiss", "Where's Your Head At", "Get Me Off" and the Australia-only single "Do Your Thing".
The name of the album is taken from Basement Jaxx's regular club event held at a small bar in Brixton. "We've been doing the Rooty nights for a year,' says Felix Buxton. 'It's not geared to one specific vibe. Musically, we made it so that it wasn't just for cokeheads who wanted pounding beats all night. That gave us musical freedom." As the title for the album, it was explained by the duo as "raw" and "soulful," "It's to the root, to the essence. It's about being happy about things that don't fit in. About things that are a bit different. That's why the album's got an albino gorilla on the cover." That's Basement Jaxx and their Rooty pub crew: sticking to the carpet but reaching for the stars.
Upon expressing admiration for the Basement Jaxx's debut album Remedy, Janet Jackson contacted the duo to collaborate. Jackson was offered to record the Jaxx's single "Get Me Off" for the album, though declined. "She told us she loved our stuff", recalls Buxton, "but she thought we were Zero 7. We wished her every success in hooking up with a British dance duo eventually and said, ‘Cheerio, Celine.'"
The cover art features Snowflake, the world's only known albino gorilla. His popularity was enhanced due to this appearance.