Zion I
Atomic Clock

Written by Newadmin. Published: Thursday, November 25, 2010.

We’ve all heard this theme repeated in music, poetry, art, film, novels and other forms of artistic expression: What would you do if your time here on Earth were coming to an end…NOW?! Lox superficially scratched the surface and discussed this in “24 hours to live”, the eccentric surrealist Salvator Dali’s “The Persistence of Memory” (images of melting clocks) reflected time and relativity, the poet Saul Williams has discussed our obsessions with time many times and the concept of ‘the end of days’/or emanate demise/final days is echoed all throughout world cultures, folklore and science fiction. We have this theme beautifully and urgently expressed with the new offering from Zion I, Atomic Clock.

We start our journey to Zion with “Foreword”, an ambient backdrop with playful bell accompanied by a ticking clock. We are put on notice immediately that we must keep pace for the alarm on this ticking clock will eventually go off, but the end result as of now is still unknown. The first song is “Always”, which throws us head first in the battlefield of this modern day Babylon Western World. Producer Amp-Live gives us a base of tribal war march drums that captivate your most inner warrior and then takes off to a angelic chorus with charging horns and rock strings that keep us holy yet aggressive and also later portion includes military drum roll. We see the spirit of Atomic Clock ever so apparent with lyrics “the body’s here and now, but the spirit lasts forever…love conquers always, gotta keep ya head up…”

Amp-Live does an excellent job in orchestrating not so much an album, but a soundtrack, a score even, of our battle against all evil forces including ourselves that is guaranteed to lead us to our ascension into the celestial realm and reality where all is as they should be. Where Amp excels and separates himself from most producers is shown in his understanding of the relation between sound and emotion. In much of this albums production he will start us with something that sounds either stripped down and tribal or hyphy sounding boom clap, then usher in a gospel organ, strings, synth or hard rock strings. He puts an organic sugar coating on the medicine to cure all the worlds’ ills.

“The Sealing” starts off with a clap and tribal sounds, brings in the electronic and then on the chorus he breaks us over the head with a hyphy bomb clap and sped high hat that took you from a warrior march and head nod to an all out sensation where you’re about to ‘go dumb’. This is the juxtaposition that is so beautiful about this production. Street youthful energy meets the celestial, rock meets reggae, gospel meets the indigenous and everything has a strong friendship with hip hop. “braced for the future in the comfort of the ancient…” this line enforces the fact that time and space have no authority here and that all time periods in history, thoughts, and notions all exist in the now.

Amp’s mix of musicial inflences directly touches on all of your emotions. You may be doing a wicked neck snapping head nod and then a chorus of strings/organs/synth may come in a pull at your heart. It is this great distraction in aspects of the beat that leave your truer self or more emotional self vulnerable and open to where when that other layer of music comes in, you are forced to feel it. This perfectly parallels Zumbi’s lyrics in how his style keeps you entertained, but the message of liberation and freedom through love before time is up is still recognized. This Atomic Clock is one that will force you to be better, to love and to live…whether you like it or not. Compare this form of tough love to that of an angel kissing you gently and protectively on the lips while putting you in a chokehold because you should have known better.

All pretentious air, ego, and elitist attitude aside, I feel I have a pretty eclectic taste in music, so this album with all its different influences work very well with me. I love the hip hop, that bay area boom clap, the electronic, rock and reggae of it, but I do understand that certain songs may not sit well with those looking for a more “traditional” format or sound. “Signs of Light” has heavy reggae influence with the triumphant victorious sounding horns, organ slides, rim shots and bass lines as does the aptly titled “Many Styles”. Both of these, more of the later, could be almost be classified as reggae tracks.

“North Star” is a great song, but may be a little too abstract-electric at times for some. As far as the emcee Zumbi goes his only downfall on this project may be from the fact Amp’s style branches out so much and is so diverse, multifaceted and musical that the audience may actually want or expect more from Zumbi. Zumbi’s style, delivery and lyrics are great and consistent, but with a sound behind him that is so varied and forward moving it may seem at times, far and in between, that something is lacking from the vocalist.

For those looking for that straight hip hop no chaser fat hangover headache take a fat chick with bad skin home for a uneventful one nighter apologizing to friends the next day hard hitting stiff shot of hip hop we have “Polarity” featuring Macklemore and Locksmith. While this song is strong in message and purpose all emcees showcase true skill and lyricism with Locksmith admitting he was “sacrificing style to show you a different part of me…” They do all but that.

My favorite cut is “The Sun Come Out” and from the intro of a looping sample you excite yourself with thoughts of the hip hop that is to come. Amp kills this track; the military style drums, strong kick, great sample flip of strong horns keep this track as hard hitting as it is spirit lifting. Great singing vocals on the chorus with lyrics that sing an almost negro spiritual-like hymn of victory over all negativity from the fact that regardless of the day, the sun does and will always come out and shine a brilliant and beautiful glory upon all children of the most high.

This isn’t your pseudo-intellectual Twitter folk preaching a false positive affirmation, but this is a certainty that considering a dark night of thoughts shrouded in an opaque fog of worry and fear, that a beautiful day is only a few hours away. The last song, song because the last track is a track of sound and music like the first, is a timeline and account of the groups’ long history ending this album perfectly showing that this album is a true culmination of all parts of the groups’ history.

That being said, I find it disturbing and confusing that when DJ/Producer/Emcee combos are discussed, I rarely hear Zion I mentioned as they should.

Yes, the Atomic Clock is ticking and will go off eventually. Yes, the way to liberation and freedom and achieving your true destiny will be through exercising honesty, love and a positive energy. The question is; when the Atomic Clock goes off and time is up, what side of history will you be on, what would you have done with you time, how would you have affected others and what have you become?

$18.50 out of $20.00

-Jamal Frederick

Category: Reviews