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Editorial Reviews

The Roots' sixth studio album takes its name from a Malcolm Gladwell book about how ideas, trends, and social behaviors reach a point where they "tip" and cross into the mainstream. It's an apt title for the Philadelphia hip-hop band to use, as they attempt to match their previous musical innovation with commercial success. The quartet, along with a revolving list of contributing musicians and rappers, have done away with the self-indulgent frills of past efforts, offering a lean ten songs (plus two hidden tracks) of progressive beats steeped in hip-hop tradition. Samples pepper the mix more prominently than ever -- Sly & the Family Stone's "Everybody Is a Star" propels the disc opener, "Star," and on the hepcat vibe of "Stay Cool," jazz hornman Al Hirt's "Harlem Hendo" (used previously on De La Soul's "Ego Trippin' Part 2") gets beat-jacked to wicked effect. Both tracks are testament to the group's eye toward racing up the charts without compromising their hip-hop-nerd approach. And although the disc relies heavily on radio-friendly mid-tempo grooves and crooned choruses, rapper Black Thought balances the smooth textures with his rugged bombast. He unleashes eerie imitations of Big Daddy Kane and Kool G. Rap ("Boom"), criticizes U.S. politics ("Guns Are Drawn"), and flows rhythmically over a sinister backdrop ("Don't Say Nuthin' "). While other, lesser rap acts rely on hot producers to add a crunk song to the mix, on The Tipping Point, the Roots follow the only formula they seem to know: making music that's relevant, catchy, and visionary at the same time. Brett Johnson, Barnes & Noble

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