Breaking Atoms
Encyclopedia
Breaking Atoms is the debut album of American hip hop
group Main Source
, released July 23, 1991 on Wild Pitch Records
. Production for was handled by the group and took place during 1990 to 1991 at Homeboy Studio, Power Play Studios, and Libra Digital in New York City
. Recorded during the golden age of hip hop
, Breaking Atoms is distinguished stylistcally by its incorporation of jazz
and soul music
samples
. The album has been highly regarded by music writers due mostly to its production, whose heavy and original use of sampling influenced hip hop producers for a considerable portion of the 1990s.
The album has been widely regarded by writers and music critics as a significantly influential album and has been noted for debuting rapper Nas
, who appears on the track "Live at the Barbeque". His contribution to the song was sampled on "Genesis", the intro track to his debut album Illmatic
(1994). Breaking Atoms has been recognized as one of the most important records in hip hop history, and was out of print in the United States after the demise of Wild Pitch Records in 1997. It was reissued on April 22, 2008 through Fontana Distribution.
. Allmusic's Steve Huey writes that the album's acclaim lies mostly in its production, which popularized a number of now widely imitated techniques. Huey describes that the "intricately constructed tracks are filled with jazz and soul samples, layered percussion, off-kilter sampling effects, and an overall sonic richness." RapReviews' Dan Mennella also notes that the beats are the cornerstone of the record. Dan Nishimoto of PopMatters
considers the album's sampling to be "neatly layered, its subject matter is modest, and its overall tone is simply well executed fun." In his book Classic Material: The Hip-Hop Album Guide, Oliver Wang writes that Large Professor
as a producer "thinks in complete song structure, never focusing on one single element—a loop
, a break
—but always juggling them in unison."
s James Bernard writes that "Main Source may not break much new ground, but [it] offer[s] a clever, quietly seductive collection in which the bass and drum tracks casually strut instead of stomp, and the sparse samples of guitar and horns allow..Large Professor's voice to take center stage." Since its initial reception, the album has received retrospective acclaim from writers and music critics. Allmusic writer Steve Huey declared it "one of the quintessential cult classics in hip-hop history." Dan Mennella of RapReviews notes that many acknowledge Breaking Atoms to be on a similar level to Nas
' Illmatic
(1994) and A Tribe Called Quest
's first three albums.
's Henry Adaso lists it at number twenty in the "100 Greatest Hip-Hop Albums". In 2004's Rolling Stone Album Guide
, Peter Relic writes that "From the candy-colored cover depicting the three members crowded around a fantasy science project to the uptempo beats and matching fast raps, it's a period piece whose meticulous presentation...make it an enduring pleasure from a bygone era." In 1998, The Source
magazine selected the album as one of its 100 Best Rap Albums. Initially giving a four-and-a-half out of five "mic" rating, The Source gave the album a five "mic" rating in a retrospective list of "5 Mic Hip-Hop Classics" in its 150th issue.
Notes
(*) - Though often labeled as Fakin' The Funk, this is actually the Remix. The original and remix of Fakin' The Funk are often confused. There is only two ways to distinguish one is in the time lengths: Remix - 3:41, Original - 3:25. the other is censorship, the original has some swearing while the version on this re-release has been re-written and has no cursing
(**) - Although only credited for Fakin' The Funk ("Remix" a.k.a. the actual original) Neek the Exotic actually appears on the Remix and the Original
(***) - This song, depending on the release, is slightly different from the single version/The Brand New Heavies album Heavy Rhyme Experience, Vol. 1
version in that it is approximately 1 minute longer and the organ noise is less prominent
Hip hop music
Hip hop music, also called hip-hop, rap music or hip-hop music, is a musical genre consisting of a stylized rhythmic music that commonly accompanies rapping, a rhythmic and rhyming speech that is chanted...
group Main Source
Main Source
Main Source was an innovative, acclaimed Toronto and New York-based hip hop group comprising Toronto natives Sir Scratch, K-Cut, and Queens native Large Professor...
, released July 23, 1991 on Wild Pitch Records
Wild Pitch Records
Wild Pitch Records was a hip hop record label started in the mid 1980s by Stuart Fine and was eventually distributed by EMI and eventually acquired by Jay Faires, who tried to reactivate it as part of his short-lived JCOR Entertainment label...
. Production for was handled by the group and took place during 1990 to 1991 at Homeboy Studio, Power Play Studios, and Libra Digital in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. Recorded during the golden age of hip hop
Golden age hip hop
Hip hop's "golden age" is a name given to a period in mainstream hip hop—usually cited as being a period varying in time frames during the 1980s and 1990s said to be characterized by its diversity, quality, innovation and influence. There were strong themes of Afrocentricity and political...
, Breaking Atoms is distinguished stylistcally by its incorporation of jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
and soul music
Soul music
Soul music is a music genre originating in the United States combining elements of gospel music and rhythm and blues. According to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, soul is "music that arose out of the black experience in America through the transmutation of gospel and rhythm & blues into a form of...
samples
Sampling (music)
In music, sampling is the act of taking a portion, or sample, of one sound recording and reusing it as an instrument or a different sound recording of a song or piece. Sampling was originally developed by experimental musicians working with musique concrète and electroacoustic music, who physically...
. The album has been highly regarded by music writers due mostly to its production, whose heavy and original use of sampling influenced hip hop producers for a considerable portion of the 1990s.
The album has been widely regarded by writers and music critics as a significantly influential album and has been noted for debuting rapper Nas
Nas
Nasir bin Olu Dara Jones, who performs under the name Nas , formerly Nasty Nas, is an American rapper and actor. He is regarded as one of the most important figures in hip hop and one of the most skilled and influential rappers of all-time...
, who appears on the track "Live at the Barbeque". His contribution to the song was sampled on "Genesis", the intro track to his debut album Illmatic
Illmatic
Illmatic is the debut album of American rapper Nas, released April 19, 1994, on Columbia Records. Following his signing to Columbia with the help of MC Serch, recording sessions for the album took place during 1992 to 1993 at Chung King Studios, D&D Recording, Battery Studios, and Unique Recording...
(1994). Breaking Atoms has been recognized as one of the most important records in hip hop history, and was out of print in the United States after the demise of Wild Pitch Records in 1997. It was reissued on April 22, 2008 through Fontana Distribution.
Music
Breaking Atoms was produced using the E-mu SP-1200E-mu SP-1200
E-mu SP-1200 is a classic drum machine and sampler released in August 1987 by E-mu Systems, Inc. as an update of the SP-12, which was originally created for dance music producers...
. Allmusic's Steve Huey writes that the album's acclaim lies mostly in its production, which popularized a number of now widely imitated techniques. Huey describes that the "intricately constructed tracks are filled with jazz and soul samples, layered percussion, off-kilter sampling effects, and an overall sonic richness." RapReviews' Dan Mennella also notes that the beats are the cornerstone of the record. Dan Nishimoto of PopMatters
PopMatters
PopMatters is an international webzine of cultural criticism that covers many aspects of popular culture. PopMatters publishes reviews, interviews, and detailed essays on most cultural products and expressions in areas such as music, television, films, books, video games, comics, sports, theater,...
considers the album's sampling to be "neatly layered, its subject matter is modest, and its overall tone is simply well executed fun." In his book Classic Material: The Hip-Hop Album Guide, Oliver Wang writes that Large Professor
Large Professor
Large Professor , also known as Large Pro and Xtra P, is a New York City-based hip hop record producer and emcee. He is also best known as a founding member of the influential underground hip hop group Main Source, and as a frequent collaborator with Nas...
as a producer "thinks in complete song structure, never focusing on one single element—a loop
Music loop
In electroacoustic music, a loop is a repeating section of sound material. Short sections of material can be repeated to create ostinato patterns...
, a break
Break (music)
In popular music, a break is an instrumental or percussion section or interlude during a song derived from or related to stop-time – being a "break" from the main parts of the song or piece....
—but always juggling them in unison."
Reception
Upon its release, Breaking Atoms received mostly positive reviews from music critics. Entertainment WeeklyEntertainment Weekly
Entertainment Weekly is an American magazine, published by the Time division of Time Warner, that covers film, television, music, broadway theatre, books and popular culture...
s James Bernard writes that "Main Source may not break much new ground, but [it] offer[s] a clever, quietly seductive collection in which the bass and drum tracks casually strut instead of stomp, and the sparse samples of guitar and horns allow..Large Professor's voice to take center stage." Since its initial reception, the album has received retrospective acclaim from writers and music critics. Allmusic writer Steve Huey declared it "one of the quintessential cult classics in hip-hop history." Dan Mennella of RapReviews notes that many acknowledge Breaking Atoms to be on a similar level to Nas
Nas
Nasir bin Olu Dara Jones, who performs under the name Nas , formerly Nasty Nas, is an American rapper and actor. He is regarded as one of the most important figures in hip hop and one of the most skilled and influential rappers of all-time...
' Illmatic
Illmatic
Illmatic is the debut album of American rapper Nas, released April 19, 1994, on Columbia Records. Following his signing to Columbia with the help of MC Serch, recording sessions for the album took place during 1992 to 1993 at Chung King Studios, D&D Recording, Battery Studios, and Unique Recording...
(1994) and A Tribe Called Quest
A Tribe Called Quest
A Tribe Called Quest is an American hip hop group, formed in 1985, and is composed of rapper/producer Q-Tip , rapper Phife Dawg , and DJ/producer Ali Shaheed Muhammad. A fourth member, rapper Jarobi White, left the group after their first album but rejoined in 2006...
's first three albums.
Accolades
SoundProof magazine lists the album at number sixteen in "The Top 20 Toronto Albums Ever" and About.comAbout.com
About.com is an online source for original information and advice. It is written in English, and is aimed primarily at North Americans. It is owned by The New York Times Company....
's Henry Adaso lists it at number twenty in the "100 Greatest Hip-Hop Albums". In 2004's Rolling Stone Album Guide
Rolling Stone Album Guide
The Rolling Stone Album Guide, previously known as The Rolling Stone Record Guide, is a book that, along with its sister publication Rolling Stone magazine, contains professional reviews of popular music...
, Peter Relic writes that "From the candy-colored cover depicting the three members crowded around a fantasy science project to the uptempo beats and matching fast raps, it's a period piece whose meticulous presentation...make it an enduring pleasure from a bygone era." In 1998, The Source
The Source (magazine)
The Source is a United States-based, monthly full-color magazine covering hip-hop music, politics, and culture, founded in 1988. It is the world's second longest running rap periodical, behind United Kingdom-based publication Hip Hop Connection. The Source was founded as a newsletter in 1988...
magazine selected the album as one of its 100 Best Rap Albums. Initially giving a four-and-a-half out of five "mic" rating, The Source gave the album a five "mic" rating in a retrospective list of "5 Mic Hip-Hop Classics" in its 150th issue.
Track listing
All tracks written and produced by Main Source.| # | Title | Sample(s) | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Snake Eyes" |
|
3:30 |
| 2 | "Just Hangin' Out" |
Gwen McCrae Gwen McCrae is an American R&B singer, best known for her March, 1975 hit "Rockin' Chair".-Career:... Skull Snaps Skull Snaps was a funk group that released one eponymous album on the small GSF label in 1973 before disappearing. It was, in fact, the group originally known as the Diplomats, which released numerous singles between 1963 and 1970 with some success.... Mike Bloomfield Michael Bernard "Mike" Bloomfield was an American musician, guitarist, and composer, born in Chicago, Illinois, who became one of the first popular music superstars of the 1960s to earn his reputation almost entirely on his instrumental prowess, since he rarely sang before 1969–70... , Al Kooper Al Kooper Al Kooper is an American songwriter, record producer and musician, known for organizing Blood, Sweat & Tears , providing studio support for Bob Dylan when he went electric in 1965, and also bringing together guitarists Mike Bloomfield and Stephen Stills to... , and Stephen Stills Stephen Stills Stephen Arthur Stills is an American guitarist and singer/songwriter best known for his work with Buffalo Springfield and Crosby, Stills & Nash . He has performed on a professional level in several other bands as well as maintaining a solo career at the same time... Sister Nancy Sister Nancy, aka Muma Nancy, real name Ophlin Russell-Myers, is a dancehall DJ and singer. She is known to the world as the first female dancehall DJ and was described as being a "dominating female voice for over two decades" on the dancehall scene... |
4:10 |
| 3 | "Looking at the Front Door" |
Donald Byrd Donaldson Toussaint L'Ouverture Byrd II, is an American jazz and rhythm and blues trumpeter. A sideman for many other jazz musicians of his generation, Byrd is best known as one of the only bebop jazz musicians who successfully pioneered the funk and soul genres while simultaneously remaining a... |
4:10 |
| 4 | "Large Professor" |
|
3:08 |
| 5 | "Just a Friendly Game of Baseball" |
James Brown James Joseph Brown was an American singer, songwriter, musician, and recording artist. He is the originator of Funk and is recognized as a major figure in the 20th century popular music for both his vocals and dancing. He has been referred to as "The Godfather of Soul," "Mr... Melvin Van Peebles Melvin "Block" Van Peebles is an American actor, director, screenwriter, playwright, novelist and composer.He is most famous for creating the acclaimed film, Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song, which heralded a new era of African American focused films... Lou Donaldson Lou Donaldson is a jazz alto saxophonist. He was born in Badin, North Carolina. He is best known for his soulful, bluesy approach to playing the alto saxophone, although in his formative years he was, as many were of the bebop era, heavily influenced by Charlie Parker.His first recordings were... Elephant's Memory Elephant's Memory was a New York band, most notable for backing John Lennon and Yoko Ono during 1972 on a pair of albums, and a handful of TV and live appearances, including the John Lennon "One To One Concert", with two performances the 30th of August 1972 to benefit the Willowbrook School for... |
3:22 |
| 6 | "Scratch & Kut" |
Kool & the Gang Kool & the Gang are an American jazz, R&B, soul, and funk group, originally formed as the Jazziacs in Jersey City, New Jersey in 1964.They went through several musical phases during the course of their recording career, starting out with a purist jazz sound, then becoming practitioners of R&B and... Bob James (musician) Robert McElhiney James is a jazz keyboardist, arranger and producer.-Biography:During the 1970s, Bob James played a major role in establishing the smooth jazz genre. "Angela", the instrumental theme from the sitcom Taxi, is probably Bob James' most well-known work to date... |
2:57 |
| 7 | "Peace Is Not the Word to Play" |
MFSB MFSB was a pool of more than thirty studio musicians based at Philadelphia’s famed Sigma Sound Studios. They worked closely with the production team of Gamble and Huff and producer/arranger Thom Bell, and backed up such groups as Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes, the O’Jays, the Stylistics, the... The Meters The Meters are an American funk band based in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Meters performed and recorded their own music from the late 1960s until 1977... Miles Davis Miles Dewey Davis III was an American jazz musician, trumpeter, bandleader, and composer. Widely considered one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century, Miles Davis was, with his musical groups, at the forefront of several major developments in jazz music, including bebop, cool jazz,... James Brown James Joseph Brown was an American singer, songwriter, musician, and recording artist. He is the originator of Funk and is recognized as a major figure in the 20th century popular music for both his vocals and dancing. He has been referred to as "The Godfather of Soul," "Mr... |
3:07 |
| 8 | "Vamos a Rapiar"1 |
The Three Sounds The Three Sounds were an American jazz trio that formed in 1956 and disbanded in 1973. The trio played and recorded with Lester Young, Lou Donaldson, Nat Adderley, Johnny Griffin, Anita O'Day, Bucky Pizzarelli, Stanley Turrentine and Sonny Stitt among others.The band formed in Benton Harbor,... |
3:59 |
| 9 | "He Got So Much Soul (He Don't Need No Music)" |
|
3:34 |
| 10 | "Live at the Barbeque" (featuring Nas Nas Nasir bin Olu Dara Jones, who performs under the name Nas , formerly Nasty Nas, is an American rapper and actor. He is regarded as one of the most important figures in hip hop and one of the most skilled and influential rappers of all-time... , Joe Fatal, and Akinyele) |
Vicki Anderson Vicki Anderson is a soul singer best known for her performances with the James Brown Revue. She recorded a number of singles under both her birth and stage names... Melvin Van Peebles Melvin "Block" Van Peebles is an American actor, director, screenwriter, playwright, novelist and composer.He is most famous for creating the acclaimed film, Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song, which heralded a new era of African American focused films... Bob James (musician) Robert McElhiney James is a jazz keyboardist, arranger and producer.-Biography:During the 1970s, Bob James played a major role in establishing the smooth jazz genre. "Angela", the instrumental theme from the sitcom Taxi, is probably Bob James' most well-known work to date... |
4:35 |
| 11 | "Watch Roger Do His Thing" |
Funkadelic Funkadelic was an American band most prominent during the 1970s. The band and its sister act Parliament, both led by George Clinton, began the funk music culture of that decade.-History:... |
4:22 |
| 12 | "Just a Friendly Game of Baseball (remix)" |
Ruby Andrews Ruby Andrews is a Chicago-based American soul singer.Her best known songs include "Casonova " , "You Made A Believer " , and "Everybody Saw You" .-Biography:... |
5:20 |
- 1 Co-produced by Pete RockPete RockPeter Phillips , better known by his stage name Pete Rock, is an American record producer, DJ and rapper. He rose to prominence in the early 1990s as one half of the critically acclaimed group Pete Rock & CL Smooth...
Bonus tracks
2008 reissue bonus tracks.- "Fakin the Funk (Remix)" (feat. Neek the Exotic) * **
- Samples: "N.T." by Kool & The Gang
- "Magic Shoes" by Main Ingredient
- "Soul" by S.O.U.L.
- "Be Black Baby" by Grady TateGrady TateGrady Tate, , is a hard bop and soul-jazz drummer and singer.He has played with Lional Hampton, Jimmy Smith, Grant Green, Lena Horne, Astrud Gilberto, Ella Fitzgerald, Miles Davis, Blossom Dearie, Chris Connor, Sarah Vaughan, Ray Charles, Cal Tjader, Peggy Lee, Bill Evans, Duke Ellington, Count...
- "Dawn of a New day" by O'Donel Levy
- "Peace Is Not the Word to Play" (Remix)
- "Just Hangin' Out" (Remix)
- "Bonafied Funk" (feat. The Brand New Heavies) ***
- "Atom"
- "Think"
- Samples: "The Chicken" by James BrownJames BrownJames Joseph Brown was an American singer, songwriter, musician, and recording artist. He is the originator of Funk and is recognized as a major figure in the 20th century popular music for both his vocals and dancing. He has been referred to as "The Godfather of Soul," "Mr...
- Samples: "The Chicken" by James Brown
- "How My Man Went Down in the Game"
- Samples: "Get out of My Life" by Joe WilliamsJoe Williams (jazz singer)Joe Williams was a well-known jazz vocalist, a baritone singing a mixture of blues, ballads, popular songs, and jazz standards.-Early life:...
- Samples: "Get out of My Life" by Joe Williams
- "Peace Is Not the Word to Play" (12" remix)
- "Time"
- Samples: "Wah-Wah Man" by Young-Holt UnlimitedYoung-Holt UnlimitedYoung-Holt Unlimited were an American soul and jazz instrumental musical ensemble from Chicago, Illinois.Drummer Isaac "Red" Holt and bassist Eldee Young, formerly members of Ramsey Lewis' jazz trio, formed a new outfit called the Young-Holt Trio with pianist Don Walker in 1966...
- Samples: "Wah-Wah Man" by Young-Holt Unlimited
Notes
(*) - Though often labeled as Fakin' The Funk, this is actually the Remix. The original and remix of Fakin' The Funk are often confused. There is only two ways to distinguish one is in the time lengths: Remix - 3:41, Original - 3:25. the other is censorship, the original has some swearing while the version on this re-release has been re-written and has no cursing
(**) - Although only credited for Fakin' The Funk ("Remix" a.k.a. the actual original) Neek the Exotic actually appears on the Remix and the Original
(***) - This song, depending on the release, is slightly different from the single version/The Brand New Heavies album Heavy Rhyme Experience, Vol. 1
Heavy Rhyme Experience, Vol. 1
Heavy Rhyme Experience, Vol. 1 was a studio album by Brand New Heavies. It included collaborations with Guru of Gang Starr, Grand Puba, Main Source and The Pharcyde, among others, but lacked any female vocals...
version in that it is approximately 1 minute longer and the organ noise is less prominent
Personnel
Credits for Breaking Atoms adapted from Allmusic.- Akinyele – rap
- Peter Bodtke – photography
- Terry Clarke – design, cover art concept
- Amy Fine – art direction
- Chris Gehringer – mastering
- K-Cut – turntables
- Large Professor – vocals
- Main Source – producer, mixing
- Tony Papa Michael – engineer
- Nas – rap
- Anton Pukshansky – bass, engineer, mixing
- Pete Rock – associate producer
- Sir Scratch – turntables
Singles
| Single information |
|---|
"Looking at the Front Door"
|
| "Watch Roger Do His Thing"
|
| "Just Hangin' Out"
|
| "Peace Is Not the Word to Play"
|
Album
| Chart (1991) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| U.S. Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums is a chart published by Billboard magazine that ranks R&B and hip hop albums based on sales compiled by Nielsen SoundScan. The name of the chart was changed from Top R&B Albums in 1999... |
40 |
Singles
| Year | Single | Peak position |
|---|---|---|
| Hot Rap Singles | ||
| 1990 | "Just Hangin' Out" | 11 |
| "Looking at the Front Door" | 1 |
External links
- Breaking Atoms at DiscogsDiscogsDiscogs, short for discographies, is a website and database of information about audio recordings, including commercial releases, promotional releases, and bootleg or off-label releases. The Discogs servers, currently hosted under the domain name discogs.com, are owned by Zink Media, Inc., and are...
- Album Review at Oh Word