Back around the turn of the year, I groused a bit about the lack of hip-hop in Central Oregon in 2011.
Today, I’m feeling better.
That’s thanks in large part to Saturday’s lineup at the Bend WinterFest (The Coup + Buck 65 + Busdriver + Mosley Wotta; read all about it in tomorrow’s GO! Magazine) and a new album from Bend-based MC Amsterdam and Vancouver, Wash. producer Goodwill. It’s called “Earth & Sky” and they put it up on Bandcamp Tuesday as a Valentine’s Day gift to you, simply because you’re so sweet and cute. Or something like that.
Oh yeah, and the whole thing is free. Grab it by clicking here.
You should. I’ve been spinning it for the past few days, and I think it’s another positive step forward in Amsterdam’s career, which has progressed through groups like The Cool Table and Top Shelf, a solo album and dozens of shows in Bend and over in the valley. On “Earth & Sky,” his clipped, grainy flow and honest rhymes are both in fine form. It helps, perhaps, to write to tracks as dope as these. Kudos to Goodwill, whose beats here are at once both subtle head-nodders and beautifully melodic. The whole thing has a very nice, easygoing, vintage feel. Guests include Luck One, Mila Gordana, Mica Parris and Amsterdam’s Top Shelf teammate Middle.
Again, listen or download it here.
Tags: Amsterdam, Earth & Sky, Goodwill
