Vocal Studies Uprock Narratives

Vocal Studies + Uprock Narratives’s 16 tracks can be listened to as one 50-minute piece of experimental ambient hip-hop. Even the album’s more disruptive elements are somehow seamlessly integrated into the overall sense of groovy calm and funky forward motion. Atlanta-based producer Scott Herren uses a richly varied palette to create Vocal Studies’ warm, subtle sound collages. Sliced-and-diced rap and vocal performances play a key role on a number of these sonic constructions. "Blacklist,” featuring MF Doom and Aesop Rock, is an exception. Herren doesn’t mess with the MCs’ raps and the relatively straight-up track nicely contrasts with the CD’s hip-hop abstractions. The producer does subtly manipulate the mellow vocals of Sam Prekop (Sea and Cake) on the lovely "Last Light.” Listening to this flute-and-strings-laced R&B piece, it’s easy to imagine sunbeams gently slicing through cloud formations. Vocal Studies can make you feel like you’re dreaming and dancing at the same time. --Fred Cisterna

Prefuse 73

2001

801061008321

United States

CD

1

2018-06-28 16:39:12

Jewel Case

~$6.99

2026-02-05

2018-06-28 16:39:12