For those unaware, Anthony “Ant” Davis is a distinguished hip-hop producer, one-half of the renowned duo Atmosphere, and a founding member of independent record label Rhymesayers Entertainment.

His decades-long career of beat-making has also included works for MF DOOM, Brother Ali, Murs, Rav, Sage Francis and a dozen others. Raised in a military family, his nomadic upbringing exposed him to many diverse influences and, coupled with his father’s love for collecting records, laid the groundwork for his deep appreciation for all sorts of music.

Ant’s latest endeavor, Collection of Sounds, is a four-volume series of instrumental works showcasing the breadth and depth of his musical expertise.

The Collection of Sounds series offers a window into Ant’s creative journey, reflecting his evolution as an artist over the years. Drawing from a vast vault of unreleased material, he’s exhumed cross sections of his catalog with surgical precision, organizing songs by sound rather than mere chronology.

This third installment delves into the rich influences of reggae, dub, and early hip-hop, crafting a vibrant instrumental landscape that pays homage to these foundational genres. Building on the textured soundscapes that define his work, this album showcases Ant’s masterful ability to weave together infectious grooves, deep baselines, and melodic samples that evoke the warmth and rhythm of reggae.

The result is an immersive listening experience that transports listeners to sun-soaked streets, lively dance halls, and basement cyphers.

Side A:
1. Blame That Dub
2. Second Try
3. Just A Business
4. Welcome Back
5. Best Teacher (Melodica Version)
6. Hello Darlings

Putting the vinyl album on the turntable, something that I always love to do, this richly textured set of soundscapes opens on the designated dubstep of Blame That Dub and then we get the rhythmic cadence of Second Try, the guitar-fed, fluctuating nuances within Just A Business, the upbeat and stridently flared Welcome Back, before the warmly sculpted Best Teacher (Melodica Version) and the veritably shimmering Hello Darlings are brought forth.

Side B:
1. Start Of Side Six
2. From Twenty Years Ago
3. Bad Motherdub
4. The Shuffle
5. Perfection
6. Early ’23 Thing
7. Rhodes, Birds And Wind

Flipping the vinyl album over, re-dropping the needle, the first track of the second side is the perfect way to open it up with the layered Start Of Side Six and the mid-temp dubstep of From Twenty Years Ago and they are in turn backed seamlessly by the drum-led brilliance of the melodious Bad Motherdub, the addictively wholesome The Shuffle, the reggae/soul/pop-embodied Perfection, the new collection rounding out on the slow roll of the beautifully languishing Early ’23 Thing and the equivocal, almost ethereal Rhodes, Birds And Wind.

The third installment of his instrumental series, Collection of Sounds: Vol. 3, features smooth beats, intricate sampling, and lush, jazzy layers that create an immersive atmosphere. He masterfully incorporates sly riffs and funk-laden grooves, stirring sentimentality and highlighting his ability to craft emotive, engaging music.

The result is a sonically complex album where Ant blends funk, soul, classic R&B, and hip-hop influences, evoking a nostalgic sense of bygone eras.

www.rhymesayers.com