Louis Atlas - Coconut Dream
Reggae luminary Louis Atlas will drop his latest offering, a new album called Coconut Dream, on March 15. Two tracks from the album were recently released as a tasty teaser for what’s to come.
Louis Atlas
The 10-tracks on Coconut Dream reflect Atlas’ current state of mind – love. Louis Atlas says, “It’s because I’m in love. Now, I can’t say I’ve never written love songs. But I’m inspired now to write songs filled with longing and joy and happiness. That’s what I’m feeling now. And I’ve always written about what I feel at the moment.”
Born in Rochester, New York, and now living in NYC, Atlas entered the world touched by Apollo, the Greek god of music. When he was old enough, Atlas played in local rock bands, followed by studying at the Boston Conservatory, followed by musical theater.
But everything changed one day on the beach on Long Island. “One day I headed out to the beach, turned on my portable player to listen to Bob Marley’s ‘Kaya.’ And I tell you, after the first note on that record, I was awestruck and just stood still in amazement. I was hooked. Something happened inside of me. I said out loud, ‘Oh my God … Oh my God!’ I’d just discovered the most wonderful thing in the world.”
After an intense period of study and practice, Atlas joined a band called Blue Reggae, followed by fronting Fatman. Along the way, Atlas learned how important it is to be who you are, and not try to fake it.
"Something happened inside of me. I said out loud, ‘Oh my God … Oh my God!’ I’d just discovered the most wonderful thing in the world.”
Atlas explains, saying, “One day at a rehearsal I was doing a cover song and one of the musicians said, ‘You sound like a mouse. Just sing it like yourself.’ That was really good advice because, man, you really can’t fake anything.”
Coconut Dream showcases a star-studded ensemble of musicians: Louis Atlas, Andy Bassford, Bryonha Parham, and Christian Cassan, each of whom has crème de la crème credentials.
Opening on a roots-based melody, “The Lunatics” rides a classic one-drop beat and tasty guitars, as Parham’s yummy, tropical tones infuse the music with gleaming animated hues. I love the rhythmic pulse on this track, textured with tantalizing accents and undulating energy.
“The People Must Be Free” starts off with bright colors and a buff rhythm. There’s a deep-toned sound appearing in the sonic milieu that injects subterranean colors, adding cool intensity. On this track, Atlas’ voice assumes tighter timbres, giving the lyrics cutting passion.
“The Lunatics” and “The People Must Be Free” demonstrate the creativity and feeling for reggae inhabiting the soul of Louis Atlas, who has it going on!
