Description
The album "Vocal Studies & Uprock Narratives" is a 16-track experimental ambient hip-hop album. The album's sound is composed of warm, subtle sound collages which are layered with sliced-and-diced rap and vocal performances. The album features the vocals of Sam Prekop (Sea and Cake), MF Doom, and Aesop Rock. The producer does not mess with the MCs' raps on the track "Blacklist." The album's mellow vocals are beautifully manipulated on the track "Last Light" by the producer.
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
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