Zion I

The Takeover

[2.5/5]

The genre-bending duo of DJ/producer AmpLive and MC Zumbi have been challenging the composition of hip-hop music for 10 years. Defying the conventional breakbeat, however, is hit or miss. “Geek To The Beat” starts with an African drum intro before fading into a forgettable crunk beat. On the other hand, the hook-heavy dance beat of “Antenna” is the perfect mix of hip-hop and pop. Still, the group shine brightest on their more conventional tracks, “Take Over” and “Caged Bird Part 1.” AmpLive’s creativity works best when given some boundaries, and Zumbi’s flow is so spot-on it deserves the spotlight. The album as a whole is scattershot; it’s easy to appreciate the boundaries that Zion I are pushing, but the best authors have great editors. Zion I could use some reining in. (GOLD DUST; golddust-mediacom) Jesse Raub