Self-termed "kaleidosonic soul punch" band Bells Atlas is not rooted in one particular genre. Eclectic in a fashion similar to that of Hiatus Kaiyote, their easiest pigeonhole is alternative R&B, while they synthesize aspects of Afro-beat, contemporary jazz and folk, indie rock, downtempo electronic music, and even dub reggae. Along with numerous singles and EPs, they've released the albums Bells Atlas (2013) and The Mystic (2019). The Oakland, California-based band was formed by Derek Barber (guitar), Geneva Harrison (drums, percussion, keyboards), Sandra Lawson-Ndu (vocals, percussion, keyboards), and Douglas Stuart (bass, keyboards, vocals). Among their earliest recordings were a 2013 self-titled album and Hyperlust, an exceptional four-track EP that followed two years later. Both sets were self-released as digital downloads and distributed to streaming services. Soon after they became a quintet with the addition of Steven Blum (also keyboards), Bells Atlas signed with the Portland, Oregon-based Tender Loving Empire label, and in 2019 returned with a science fiction concept album titled The Mystic. ~ Andy Kellman