As one of the Australia’s premier beatsmiths, Chasm has achieved a great deal. After signing to Obese Records, he released his debut LP Beyond The Beat Tape last year. Featuring some of the country’s most able MC’s, it cemented Chasm’s name in the local scene. His electric talent has also been on display as one third of Elefant Traks’ ARIA-nominated group Astronomy Class. The outset of summer marks a new chapter for Chasm, collaborating with soulful vocalist Vida-Sunshyne for the release of his long-awaited follow-up Move.
The LP kicks off with Lion Up, one of a handful of Chasm’s impeccable interludes. Various horns and keys work together seamlessly in an undulating series of crescendos. Lion Up heralds the infectious reggae vibes present throughout. Set Me Free is another instrumental highlight, featuring traditionally offbeat keys and beautiful vocal sample underpinned by a crisp drum loop. It’s a track that exhibits the pure class of Chasm’s production. Move takes a cannabis-fueled digression with the track The Highest. Vida Sunshyne and Damajah discuss the plant as well as its implications with regards to the law. Chasm keeps proceedings rolling along at a swift pace only to be interrupted by a smoked-out, exhaling Vida at the death. The worldly percussion sits at the forefront of the mix, providing a simple foundation for the marijuana musings. Punchy brass rings out at the beginning and intermittently throughout it’s submissive to the multiple layers of rhythm. Twinkle Twinkle brings British hip hop artist Million Dan into the mix. Along with Vida, the pair highlight the glittering, ever-growing credibility of hip hop in Australia. Ozi Batla also appears to have done a spot of ghost-writing work. Chasm, never missing a trick, provides another exquisite beat.
In essence, Move is an inadvertent dichotomy of themes. Chasm’s brightly-tinged soundscapes offset the, at times, serious introspection of Vida-Sunshyne’s lyrics. Successive tracks like Meditations, Stress and later on, Arguments reveal a strong emphasis on the mental. Though it’s hardly one way traffic with the uplifting sentiment of Give Thanks with impressive MC Mantra. Damajah is a worthy addition on a bunch of tracks throughout this invigorating LP, lending his ragga vocals. Chasm is a producer who continues to excel, every release profitting from his midas touch of sorts. Move is one of the more vibrant releases locally this year, a frantic exposition into the reggae realm of Chasm. Well worth picking up.
