Breaking Atoms

Breaking Atoms was produced using the E-mu SP-1200.[1] 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."[1] RapReviews also notes that the beats are the cornerstone of the record.[4] 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."[5] 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."[6]

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[1]
Entertainment Weekly	B+[7]
RapReviews	10/10[4]
The Rolling Stone Album Guide	[2]
The Source	4.5/5[8]

Upon its release, Breaking Atoms received critical acclaim. J the Sultan of The Source hailed it as "New York hip-hop at its best", praising its "slamming beats and smooth, nod-your-head-to-this grooves thick with jazz-infused samples", as well as the "clever rhymes that you want to follow word-for-word."[8] Entertainment Weekly's James Bernard wrote 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 the Large Professor's voice to take center stage."[7]

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".[1] In 2004's The New Rolling Stone Album Guide, Peter Relic wrote 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."[2] PopMatters' Dan Nishimoto called it "deliberately smart and rough" and praised the varied scope of its production and sampling.[5] 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.[4]

• All tracks produced by Main Source, except #8 co-produced by Pete Rock.

Credits for Breaking Atoms adapted from AllMusic.[13]

• Breaking Atoms at Discogs
• Album Review at Oh Word