Breaking Atoms

Main Source | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 22, 2008)
• Original Release Date: 1991
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Wild Pitch Records
• ASIN: B001675STO
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (43 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #27,893 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

2008 reissue of the debut album from Main Source. It is widely thought of as a very influential album and it is notable for the debut of Hip Hop superstar Nas. It is also highly regarded thanks to the virtuoso production of frontman Large Professor, whose heavy, and original, use of sampling influenced Hip Hop producers for a good portion of the '90s. Nas makes his debut appearance on "Live at the Barbeque", which is also played in the background of "Genesis", the intro to his critically acclaimed album, Illmatic. Breaking Atoms is one of the most important records in the History of Hip Hop and also hard-to-find; it has been out of print in the United States since the demise of Wild Pitch Records in 1997.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Forgotten Classic, April 15, 2004

By 

Thomas Magnum (NJ, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Breaking Atoms (Audio CD)

Main Source never received the acclaim that like-minded artists such as A Tribe Called Quest, De La Soul, Gang Starr and Brand Nubian received in the mainstream music community. But in the world of hip-hop, Breaking Atoms is one of the most acclaimed albums of all time. Thanks in great part to the masterful production and plethora of beats that have been jacked by so many other artists. Large Professor is a solid MC and the rhymes are good, but it is the beats that set the album apart. From the opening "Snake Eyes" to the closing remix of the classic "Just A Friendly Game Of Baseball", you are playing guess that beat. The album has an overall sonic richness that has rarely been matched in the annuals of hip-hop. The album is also notable as it features the first time that either Nas & Akinyele appeared on a record as they both guest on "Live At The Barbecue" which is curiously one of the weaker songs on the album. For anyone who thinks hip-hop started with Jay-Z, Outkast or Eminem, you should try to find this album, which is unfortunately currently out-of-print.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Painfully slept on, April 9, 2006

By 

RapSuperstar "Lorenzo" (New Jersey) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Breaking Atoms (Audio CD)

Breaking Atoms (Wild Pitch/EMI 1991)

Before Main Source albumdebuted in 1991, Large Professor was most known as a producer. It was him who learned DJ Premier how to use his SP1200, and he had worked with greats like Eric B. & Rakim and Kool G Rap & Polo before he tried rappin' himself. Together with K-Cut and Sir Scratch - two relatively unknown DJ's from Toronto, Canada - Large Pro delivered an impressive record, and Breaking Atoms almost became an instant classic.

Today it may seem a little absurd to have two DJ's and one rapper, but that time as you may know DJ's played an illustrious role (in a rap-group) The whole Main Source is credited as producers here, but I think Large Pro did most himself. Well-known jazz- and soul-samples are all over this record, and he cuts and loops in known style. The result was a pleasant listen and refreshing soundpicture, and the production was this records truly strength. Many should nod their head when you hear great songs as "Just A Friendly Game Of Baseball" and "Just Hangin' Out" (which samples both "Bam Bam" and "90% Of Me Is You".) Besides there was unusually many breaks here - a trend which have disappeared along time ago (with the exception of Timbaland.) When it comes to the vocal, LP delivered the goods. He showed universality by talkin' `bout everything from love ("Looking At The Front Door") to senseless violence ("Peace Is Not the Word To Play"), but we also got a great dose with just spittin', like on "Large Professor" and "Live At the Barbeque". This song have become a classic with a big C, when both Nasty Nas and Akinyele did their record-debut. Nas' verse is legendary and should be curriculum for all hip-hop heads.

Large Professor left Main Source only a couple of years later and was replaced by the freestyle-rapper Mikey D. This new trio tried to follow up with an album in 1994 (F*** What U Think), but it ended when the record-company wrecked the project (the record did get an unofficial release though) Main Source never achieved the same status as their "spiritual-brothers" in A Tribe Called Quest, Gang Starr and Brand Nubian, probably because of their short career together. Breaking Atoms is a classic, and the production-style to Large Pro was goin' to be one of the most influential outward the 90's. Here you can hear how it all started!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Watch Main Source Do Their Thing, December 18, 1999

By 

Paul H. "rmj84" (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Breaking Atoms (Audio CD)

Like the Sex Pistols, Main Source dropped only one album that was hailed as a classic before breaking up, the only difference being that Main Source would later resurface without Large Professor. And did they drop a classic. With Large Professor on the mic and Sir Scratch and K-Cut on the tables, nothing could go wrong. The production is top-notch with slow, funky grooves on such tracks as "Just Hangin' Out" and upbeat, jazzy instrumentals on the classic "Looking At The Front Door". Large Professor proves that he can both produce and MC as he displays a nice flow and drops nice verses. Nas also makes his debut on the classic posse cut "Live At The Barbeque". It took me awhile to find this and I would suggest that you pick it up now. Main Source broke up soon after dropping their classic "Fakin' The Funk" (which sadly isn't on here) and reformed with Mikey D replacing the Large Professor. However, it just didn't seem the same. Don't sleep; pick this up ASAP.