ALBUM REVIEW: “Atomic Clock” by Zion I

Zion I
Atomic Clock
[Gold Dust Media/Live Up Records]

Tic-tic, tock-tock, prepare yourself for Atomic Clock, the latest album by Zion I (Live Up Records) will be released on November 9th. Fans who may have been disappointed with the club sound of previous album The TakeOver will find the Bay Area duo have evolved once again.

By employing a band to jam along with his back-beats, AmpLive is able to replicate the sound of a Jay-Z stadium show. The talented producer mixes live instruments with reggae/dub beats to create powerful and raw tracks for Atomic Clock. AmpLive provides a musical muse for the introspective rhymes of Zumbi. If he sounds like just another rap artist, tune in, tune up, evolve, and wake up. This dude’s got chops.

The listener will discover Atomic Clock has a clear theme running throughout. Although the album includes a few break-out songs, listening to the 12-tracks on the album in order beginning with “Forward” gives the album continuity that may be lost when setting your iPod on shuffle.