A Taste of Kheaven
Written: Feb 21 '07
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Musically diverse as always; great production
Cons: his musical agility might not be appreciated by some
The Bottom Line: A great hip hop/soul/new wave/disco album that you can take and play ANYWHERE!! YAAAAAAAAAYY!!!
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| lyrikalbj's Full Review: Atlantis: Hymns For Disco by K-os (Kevin Brereton) |
Never before... I can’t remember the first time I heard an emcee or any hip hop group (aside from maybe The Roots) dabble SKILLFULLY in so many different genres of music in one effort as K-Os has done on his 3rd effort named Atlantis: Hymns for Disco. Maybe that is because I was one of the few that didn’t partake of his platinum plus sophomore effort Joyful Rebellion, but that’s a loss I’ll quickly remedy.
Kheaven (his parents are brilliant for that by the way) Brereton aka K-os (pronounced: Chaos) is the fantastic blend of Q-Tip’s lyrical charisma, Mos Def’s flow/skill/sonic diversity, and Black Thought’s lyrical precision and ability. And people, that’s just the hip hop face of this brotha’s musical pallet. Since he is skilled vocalist as well as emcee, K-os is gifted dimensions beyond that of your normal hip hop artist. Apparently, this has been his cosmic plan since his debut album Exit in 2002 which managed to devastate the competition to claim Source Magazine’s 2003 International Album of the Year award.
As in his previous efforts, K-os delivers at least one throw-back hip hop purist track rooted by a memorable drum and base line from a past classic. This K-Os revision named “Electrik Heat - The Seekwill” is brought to you by the sounds of “It Takes Two” by Rob Base and so many other tracks back in the day that utilized the same infectious groove. Throw it on and watch your friends launch into involuntary Running Man episodes! “Cat Diesel” and “AquaCityBoy” manage to sustain this groove as well as K-os juggles his vocal talents and his love to move the crowd by rockin the M.I.C. And please don’t sleep on the skill. Lack of profanity leaves unlimited room for poetic and thought provoking delivery that he has always been praised for. This delectable effort is 100% pure and clean allowing for young and old alike to dance, smile, sing, and laugh throughout.
Now the jaw dropping amazement comes in his sheer appreciation for music of all types. “The Rain” and “Highway 7” are completely unexpected acoustic gifts of blues and soul that force you to question what aisle you actually picked this album up from in the first place.
K-Os newcomers beware because the trip to Atlantis takes you even deeper as the 80’s-esque New wave or pop rock “Sunday Morning” sends you searching for your legwarmers and zipper jackets. The haunting nostalgia of this song and its catchy hook will find a special place in your heart for sure. That is, of course, until K-Os drops the bomb called “Born to Run” on you by slapping you with guitar riffs and bass licks reminiscent of Sting & the Police in their heyday when they ruled the airwaves. Sheer bliss I tell you.
And the album title’s promise of the return to disco is fully realized on the Jamiroquai-laced “Black Ice: Hymn 4 Disco”. Squeal, spin, and clap to the beat as Kheaven steals you for a few minutes of Studio 54 delivery.
With each and every nostalgic effort, the truly outstanding achievement of this album is that Kheaven manages to not only define himself, his style, and his musical influence, but he allows each song to take you back as well as still not sound dated in the least bit. And he does all of this without guest artists and without big name US producers and such. Most assured you'll wonder if there should be an all new genre in the music store for the 'musically agile' since he could easily fit multiple genre's. No doubt, K-Os gives today's hip hop a good name regardless. So, be a part of a musical love movement that is the manifestation of Okayplayer.com's first Canadian artist. Thanks again Kheaven for another taste of heaven.
Recommended:
Yes
Great Music to Play While: Driving
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Epinions.com ID:
lyrikalbj
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Member: BJ
Location: New Milford, CT
Reviews written: 92
Trusted by: 13 members
About Me:
With Aggie Pride and ignorance aside, I breathe passion fuel in word form...
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