"Dave Chappelle's Block Party" (Geffen)
By Peter A. Holden
Tuesday. May 09, 1:05 AM
The name equals quality.

This is an easy one. Dave Chappelle is both lucky and unlucky in that he can put his name on just about anything and make it a success. And unlike a lot of things in this all-too-flashy pop-culture society, quality always seems to ensue when he does. Lindsey Lohan can put her name on something and it’ll get attention, but Herbie Fully Loaded isn’t exactly Stanley Kubrick, nor is it worth the tape it’s filmed on. What gives Mr. Chappelle the midas touch? Honesty and dedication to himself, even at the risk of losing everything. That, in and of itself, breeds quality and gives his ventures depth. Because with honesty comes integrity, and with integrity comes respect. Simple “if… then” statement. So, Dave Chappelle’s Block Party follows suit in being a groundbreaking experience.

But this review is purely about the music therein. The film accompaniment was meant to encapsulate the flavor and styles of Brooklyn and hip-hop that Dave grew up with. And if the assortment of artists on the soundtrack is any indication, it’s a deliciously savory buffet of hip-hop cuisine. It seethes raw rhyme and rhythm. It’s teeming with amazingly groovy tracks both soulful and honest, and celebrates the easier, beautiful, more human side of the rap world. It’s fresh (no, I don’t mean just in a slang sense), clean, and scintillating. For my money, it doesn’t get better than Mos Def and Erykah Badu. I didn’t grow up listening to hip-hop: it was all rock for me. But rock got its beginnings in juicy grooves and beats like those employed by The Roots. Great music has always been about performance, and these artists bring their energy and rhythm to the stage (quite literally). All but one track is live, as they should be, and they all sound incredible. The disc also includes little interludes of conference call material with all the performers for comedic value (wouldn’t be Dave Chappelle’s territory without ‘em. We are talking honesty, after all).

Dave Chappelle’s Block Party is just what you’re looking for if you’re after great hip-hop moments you saw in the film. But it’s just as beautiful even if you haven’t seen the movie, and I’m ashamed to say I haven’t seen it just yet. Tasty tasty stuff right here.
www.geffen.com

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Peter A. Holden

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