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Non-Prog CD Reviews

RZN8R

Closing the Golden Gate

Review by Gary Hill

This collection is intriguing. It merges electronic music with soul, hip hop, jazz and more. Everything here works pretty well, although it does sometimes get a little over-produced for my tastes. This is a short set (just over 15 minutes) that has a good range and some classy music.

This review is available in book (paperback and hardcover) form in Music Street Journal: 2023  Volume 3 More information and purchase links can be found at: garyhillauthor.com/Music-Street-Journal-2023.

Track by Track Review
Music To Make You Go Oooh (Intro)
There is a trippy sort of hip hop meets techno and dance groove at play here. This is unique, yet oddly compelling.
That's On You (feat. Kaeli Earle)
The female vocal that gets this going brings some killer jazz sound to the proceedings. This has a great soulful vibe. It still has some of that electronic vibe at play, but it's less over-the-top. This feels a lot more organic and timeless. At over three-and-a-half-minutes long, this is the most extensive piece here. It's also one of the highlights.
Aphrodite In Chains (Interlude) (feat. Idea Unsound)
While this is much more electronic, it's also very jazzy and so cool. It's a lassy instrumental.
What's Good (feat. Xander Beltran)

Soul and hip hop merge with the electronic vibes of the rest of the set here. It gets more stripped back at times. While this is still solid, I prefer some of the other music here.

The Window (Interlude) (feat. Dakota)
The groove on this is positively sublime. The vocals are a little over-processed for my tastes, but this song just vibes so well that I can live with it.
Thought of It (feat. Xander Beltran)
Another solid R&B meets electronic sound is on the menu here. While this isn't a big change, it's effective, if not a standout. The fuller vocal arrangement is a nice touch.        
Which Way Is Up (feat. Kaeli Earle)
This is a slower moving cut. It's vocal heavy and has more of a retro vibe, while still feeling modern. The section mid-track is a bit heavy on the processing, but it comes back out from there to the stylish zones. This does get a very minor parental advisory on the lyrics. 
  
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