Atlantis: Hymns for Disco
Like Lauryn Hill'sMiseducationmasterpiece and Bob Marley'sUprising, K-Os'sAtlantis: Hymns for Discoflows with a constant emphasis on moving forward with positivity and unity, all within an impossibly funky package. The combination of strong melodies and K-Os's verbal dexterity means thatAtlantisis filled with a brilliance that rarely lets up. Opening track "Electrik Heat: The Seekwill" sets the tone by mixing rapid-fire lyrics with '80s hip-hop beats and samples, courtesy of world-renowned turntablist Lil Jaz. K-Os’s soul-filled vocals take center stage on "The Rain," with all the smoothness of Stevie Wonder or Marvin Gaye circa 1966. K-Os could unquestionably release a whole disc of such songs and easily hit world stardom, instead,Atlantisis his vision, and his vision tends towards delivering lyrically insightful, cross-generational hip-hop mixed with reggae and even rock. "Valhalla" is another high point, reminiscent of Bob Dylan's cadence in "Highway 61 Revisited," juxtaposed with a floating chorus courtesy of friend/rocker Sam Roberts. One gets a sense that K-Os and crew have truly brought their top game to this disc, with no words or sounds wasted.--Denise Sheppard