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K-OS - Atlantis (Hymns for Disco) Review


by Morley Seaver

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For those of us that missed his 1992 debut Exit, k-os seemingly came out of nowhere with the success of his 2004 CD Joyful Rebellion,. The record produced a handful of hit singles like "B-Boy Stance", "Crabbuckit" and "Man I Used To Be". The Toronto native found a receptive with his appealing cross-pollination of hip-hop, rock, R&B, funk and reggae. Joyful Rebellion continued on the promise shown in Exit, which, although it did not generate large sales, displayed an artist that did not try to emulate everything else out there.

It was a huge hill to climb but with Atlantis (Hymns for Disco), k-os has equaled, if not surpassed, the creative heights that marked his last record. I thought on the first few listens that there was no home run out of the park like "Crabbuckit". I knew right away however the 14 cuts that make up the record collectively surpassed the last set of songs. Part of the appeal is the way that he blends styles in one song along with his engaging voice. He raps and then switches it up with a melodic vocal that is as smooth as melted butter. After spinning this several times, the magic contained within seeped in to my brain and I almost cannot play anything else.

Once again, you're taken through a highway of various sounds and styles and it starts right off the bat with "ELEctrik HeaT - the seekwiLL". A foot moving beat leads the way for k-os' uptempo rhymes, culminating in one of those well-crafted verses.

"The Rain" is one of the highlights of the record with K-OS tossing out an almost Marvin Gaye vocal, starting off the record in a big way. "Flypaper" is a powerhouse of a cut, burrowing under your skin, creating a big itch that can only be relieved by repeated playings. He changes things up with "Equilizer" with the gritty guitars sounding at odds with the hip-hop off the top but by the time you get to the second verse you're on line with it. "Sunday Morning" is a jewel of a track with its undeniable rhythm and sparkling chorus. In fact, you can go through this entire record and find wonderful song after wonderful song. Not find a dud in the whole thing.

Confident, composed and captivating: with Atlantis (Hymns for Disco) k-os surely has established himself as one of our most treasured musical leaders.


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K-OS - Atlantis (Hymns for Disco)
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