This 'Block' is hot

Michel Gondry's documentary of the Brooklyn block party may have been disappointing for those of you hoping to hear two hours of that Rick James impression you do so well. Thankfully, the music-focused film is available in a portable audio format for the rest of us. The Block Party Soundtrack is a relatively comprehensive account of the September 2004 event.\nThe performances of hip-hop saviors like The Roots, Common, Blackstar and Erykah Badu on the same stage make a formidable reunion. It seems as though Dave Chappelle is about the only personality with the power to bring together this collection of superstars who used to play with one another in New York-area hip-hop clubs.\nThe soundtrack begins with all involved parties engaged in a conference call. If you thought attending the concert would have been surreal, imagine dialing into that conversation. It quickly segues into Dead Prez's explosive version of "Hip Hop." Those "19 white people peppered into the crowd" were undoubtedly squirming though DP's militant, revolution-inspiring performance. At any rate, lyrics like "You rather have a Lexus or justice? / A dream or some substance? / A Beamer, a necklace or freedom?" accurately define every performer's view on the music industry. \nThe political edge doesn't end with Dead Prez. During Mos Def's performance of "Umi Says," he actually brings Fred Hampton Jr., son of Black Panther Fred Hampton who was unjustly killed by Chicago police, onto the stage for a call for peace and political freedom.\nThe concert's most exciting moments come from the on-stage collaborations. Jill Scott, Erykah Badu and The Roots perform an entrancing, epic rendition of "You Got Me." Bilal, Common and Badu crank out a brilliant, soulful "The Light," and Big Daddy Kane and Kool G. Rap lend a hand to The Roots with their Tipping Point hit "Boom!" The event's music was arranged entirely by Roots drummer ?uestlove, and it's apparent that he thoroughly enjoyed the process of mixing and matching the various artists at his disposal.\nThe Block Party Soundtrack's biggest disappointment would have to be the exclusion of the Fugees reunion. Chappelle managed to put Lauryn Hill, Wyclef Jean and Pras on the same stage for the first time in several years, fittingly closing the impossible concert. Listening to the soundtrack is no replacement for watching the film, but watching the film is no substitute for having attended the concert. However, like the film, it's a little piece of one of the most glorious days hip-hop has ever witnessed.