Trey Anastasio

If there is one thing that makes the Roots and Phish such great musical bedfellows, it’s that they both love to jam. That’s, of course, part of the reason they have connected at concerts in the past. But we think their relationship should move beyond a live setting, especially when it comes to the solo work of frontman Trey Anastasio. His 2012 release, Traveler, wasn’t terribly strong and we think dude could benefit from a reinvention of sorts. And what better way to do so than by recording with familiar players in a completely new setting, both physically and sonically.

Paul Simon & Antibalas

While Armchair A&R has only seen a few installments, this is by far the most logical collaboration to date. Since Paul Simon’s 1986 solo album Graceland, the folk legend has continued to focus on infusing worldbeat with his pop writings. So far in fact that some fans might wish he would change things up a bit. Perhaps that change could come from the Roots alongside Brooklyn-based afrobeat band Antibalas. Taking advantage of the powerful songwriting of Simon blended together with a different style of African beat, Questlove would have a field day conducting an entire full-length. Especially with a horn section as explosive as Antibalas’. And just imagine how fun a live show with these three acts on stage would be.