“Atmosphere”, the latest offering via Gravitas Recordings from legendary hip-hop producer Amp Live, delivers a patchwork of lush synthscapes molded around modern, vibey rhythms. Each of the six songs on this pay-what-you-want release share a silky, sleek, and sometimes swung feel, showcasing how compelling minimalism can be when each fraction has been crafted with care. Apart from being a founding member of Zion I, Amp has been a musical force within the hip-hop, reggae, and electronic music scenes for a multitude of years while collaborating with powerhouses such as Bassnectar, Too Short, Big Gigantic, Del The Funky Homosapien, Minnesota, Rebelution, and Gift of Gab.

Like the overture to a dreamland odyssey, ‘Gravity’ kicks off the EP slow and low, expertly setting a distinct, divine mood. Long time collaborator Eligh makes a guest appearance on ‘Breathe’, a sparse, spaced track that continues the casual stroll through an otherworldly realm. The reggae-come-future-bass tune ‘Photo Bomb’ is a true feel-good track; the uplifting dub-flavored chords hit like a dose of serotonin before seamlessly giving way to a stylish, expressive double-time melody. Wrapping up the EP comes ‘Higher’, an expressive ballad featuring the sublime vocals of Cristina Soto set atop graceful yet gripping synthesis to close out the album in style.

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