1Step
Self-Released, 2025
8/10
The Bay Area producer/songwriter/performer/musician VJ Gabi brings no lack of melodic ideas to these hip-hop fueled tracks that find plenty of surprises along the way.
The strong attention to mood across “Crazy Foo” opens with beats and a hazy backdrop amid the rich singing, and “The Music Feels Right” follows with Triimurtii’s vocals complementing the soulful climate that uses swift rapping, too.
Landing in the middle, the stylish “Cool Down” comes with a breeziness that’s soothing, while “Step Lightly” recruits Naano for the grooves and thumping drums that suit the flowing vocals of the album’s best.
Residing close to the end, “One Step At A Time” emits a dreaminess and showcases layered vocals, and “That’s Crazy” exits and pairs modern hip-hop with some folk nods.
A really unique effort, VJ Gabi makes great use of classic hip-hop, acoustic guitar, psychedelic bouts and fluid wordplay that you won’t soon forget.
Travels well with: Free Radicals- White Power Outage Volume 1; The Aggrolites- Reggae Now!