John Legend and the Roots

By:  Will Hermes

2010 08 03

"Wake Up Everybody" turns back the clock in all the right ways: The lead single from Legend's album with the Roots is a sparkling cover of Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes' 1975 hit. Over string-drenched retro-funk, Legend splashes his ultrawarm croon all over, cool-rocking the pulpit like he owns the church. Guest rapper Common, meanwhile, stays right on message: "Even in this generation livin' through computers/Only love, love, love can reboot us."