The Roots: The Tipping Point (2LP) [GEFFEN]

Why you'll love it

This 15th anniversary 2LP set was limited to 2,000 copies and adds "The Mic" and "Melting Pot" to the album. The Tipping Point debuted at No. 4 on the Billboard 200, selling 109,000 copies in its first week.

This edition

• 2LP set
• 15th anniversary edition
• Limited to 2,000 copies
• Bonus tracks
• Stereo mix

About the album

Toronto readers may spot a familiar name in the title. The Roots borrowed it from Canadian writer Malcolm Gladwell's 2000 book about how small things tip into big ones, and the album that followed Phrenology tipped them toward their warmest, most groove-forward sound yet.

Black Thought is on razor form throughout, with Questlove, Kamal Gray, Captain Kirk Douglas and a deep bench of players leaning into soul, jazz and funk. "Star" builds on a Sly & The Family Stone sample, "Don't Say Nuthin'" turns a near-mumble into a hook, "I Don't Care" turned up on the Gran Turismo 4 soundtrack, and the extended "Web" and "Boom!" get room to stretch on this cut. Producers include Scott Storch and the late Richard Nichols, the band's longtime manager and executive producer. The bonus "The Mic" brings in Skillz, Truck North and Dave Chappelle.

The album went on to sell more than 400,000 copies in the US, and within a few years the band had a nightly gig on late-night television. Gladwell, as far as we know, has not yet returned the favour by naming a book after a drum break.

Also at Kops: more The Roots on vinyl · browse Hip Hop / R&B

Tracklist

Listen

On Geffen / Okayplayer (cat# B0029993-01), a reissue of the 2004 album.