Wise Up Ghost
What do a British new wave rocker and the self-proclaimed “last hip-hop band” have in common? After only one listen to “Wise Up Ghost,” a collaboration from Elvis Costello and The Roots, that would not even seem like a legitimate question. The tracks are beat and bass driven, per usual from The Roots’ drum genius, Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson. However, the artists dip into soul influences for many tracks, but there is one Latin oddball, “Cinco Minutos Con Vos.” Costello, who studied Jazz composition in the 1990s, and Questlove—who has created soul versions of Claude Debussy—back the tracks with beautiful orchestrations and seamless song transitions. This wizardry is evident in the title track, continuing even after the band kicks in with prominent guitars for an almost “Kashmir” feel. Costello’s vocals and style span the musical spectrum. From the pumped up “Walk Us Uptown,” to the gentle ending ballad, this album is a musical journey that defies expectations.
