After the hit LP Phrenology , The Roots have returned with The Tipping Point , a LP released in July with the hope of granting more independence financially and showing the always-evident skills musically.   The group now consists of Black Thought: the vocalist, Questlove: the drummer, Kamal: the keyboardist, and Hub: the bass guitar maestro.  But they say once a Root always a Root so who really knows.  Anyway let us check out their latest LP and give it a GeoClan rating.

"Star/Pointro" is the first track and it's in two parts.   The first part is "Star" and Black talks about himself, his listeners, and the music society.   The chorus tells everyone that they are stars and they should love themselves.   The second part is "Pointro" and it is a statement put to music about the tipping point of many things including music.

"I Don't Care" is about the love of music and not caring about whatever is around as long as you hear the drums, keys, bass and lyricist.   Black talks about several situations involving the music and the day-to-day travels of the world.   This song is for jamming out and having a great time.

Scott Storch was messing with The Roots for years before any Beyonce and Fat Joe knew about him and he brings his Matrix-like beat in "Don't Say Nuthin'", an captivating sound which is perfect for Thought to spill on.   Black talks about the people who just talk about things and do the exact opposite and/or play around too much and how it could be detrimental to their lives.

"Guns Are Drawn" is a session on wax.   You hear Quest and the whole band doing their things as Black talks about real life drama and how the music is more than just shaking you ass it needs to involve what is going down in people's lives. The track has a good chorus and feel to it and a little reggae kick to it.

"Stay Cool" is just that: cool!   Starting on a mellow beat and increasingly picking up the pace, The Roots play and Black talks about incidents where you have to stay cool and recognize the situation.   Don't go overboard with reaction because it could be nothing big or it could get you hurt in some fashion. This track reminds you of something off the Do You Want More LP.

"Web" is another jam session on the CD, where the bands plays and Thought spits on everything under the sun from ladies to Malcolm X on the door, to money, to battling other MCs.   Quest's drum work is amazing and he proves again and again he is one of the best in the world!   This reminds you of an 80's showdown beat between two MCs for the local crown!

"Boom!" is crazy stupid fresh (as they would say in the day) as Black Thought goes back to the 80's using the cadences and sounds of Big Daddy Kane and Kool G. Rap to show you that he can sound like them for at least one verse apiece.   This is The Roots chance to ball with the legends of their sport like most would like to ball with Wilt and/or Kareem in their day.   The beat is straight B-Boy and racy and you may even break out with a freestyle after you listen the track five times to hear the three MCs rolled into one kill the track (Shouts out to Cab for the heads up!).

"Somebody's Gotta Do It" lets Black talk is about people who do the tough things in life and it features Mac Dub, a young West Philly native and Jean Grae, one of the most slept on MCs in the game.   Carson comes on strong in his first work on this level and Grae show why she could be the best female in the near future!   Whether you are a father, clean trashcans or run a company this song is for you.   It's a song about perseverance and knowledge of the bigger picture. Devin The Dude adds his famous voice to the chorus.

"Duck Down" sounds like something out of the Dirty South as The Roots gets loose on the track and Thought spews off about getting low on the floor and on the streets, meaning getting your grind on. This track is proof that The Roots could play any style they wanted too but they choose their own path and that is all right with us! Scott Storch once again hit us with the track.

"Why (What's Goin On?)" the initial song is The Roots ode to the theme of Marvin Gaye and Thought ask questions about why thinks are the way they are.   Why are the rich that way and the poor that way?   The song is powerful and needs to be listened by all especially considering the current state of the world and the United States.   But you slowly see your getting some bonus coverage that The Roots are famous for.

This track goes on into another track featuring Dave Chappelle and rapping company talking about a lady that wants to get together but gets no burn because the man only loves his mic more.

Then there is another track that sounds like something out of Coming To America, the movie.   The band is jamming and you hear the "dum da da do do dum" in the mix while this voice is scatting away and Quest is drumming.   Then the track breaks out into something from an 80's show (you can see the high powered lights and dance crew if you peek hard in your mind) and more scatting happens.  

Basically my only problem with the album is: why so short? The music is original, the rhymes are fresh (old school term, read up youngin) and "Boom" in particular is genius.   There isn't as many chances taken as the Phrenology LP, as this is just a jamming LP but that is okay because The Roots are so versatile.   Everyone holds their own and bonus are welcomed.   The lyrics are more than just about having a good time and group is proving to be a long-term fix not flash like most groups (though I had no doubt).   No matter what the current lineup, The Roots are one of the best groups in Hip Hop History and do a great job of keeping current without forgetting the essentials of the music.   Black Thought is underrated again and again as an MC but that story is so old there is no need to say it cause all the real heads know. 

I'll give the LP 4 globes.

Any questions, comments, suggestions email Clayton Ruley at clayton@geoclan.com.