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 It’s been five long years since Braintax,
one of the UK’s foremost solo hip hop acts, last released an LP, the
critically acclaimed ‘Biro Funk’.
In that time, he’s no doubt been busy. As the co-founder and owner of
Low Life Records, Brains’ has been the driving force behind the label’s
forty odd releases over the last fourteen years, whilst also taking the
time to process beats and cut rhymes for the likes of Rodney P, Verb T
and Mr. Scruff.
Now though, he makes a welcome return to the mic’ with a strong, defiant
album that fuses gospel, soul and an eclectic array of hip hop beats ,
and shows just why Braintax is a name so respected by an assortment of
artists from Gorrillaz to Mr. Scruff to indie heroes Arctic Monkeys.
And on this, his second full length solo LP, both the man and his work
are aptly titled. Braintax due to the sheer volume of lyrics he packs
into this, making repeated listens a must for wrapping your head around
the whole thing, and ‘Panorama’ since such subjects take a wide look at
a bigger, global picture.
Throughout 13 tracks, Braintax rages against the music industry, world
politics and social injustice in a voice that is refreshingly real.
And it’s that right there which makes this such a good album, it has
that deep-rooted sense of being real.
In a world where most people’s perceptions of hip-hop are of American
accents, macho bravado and bling, Braintax’s style and delivery comes as
a welcome respite from all that. Here is a normal bloke. A normal bloke
talking sense about serious issues.
Whether it’s on war, such as Syriana Style where he claims ‘I don’t care
for illegal wars/then again I don’t care for them legal wars’, or on
anti-music industry war cry ‘Run The Yards’, Braintax’s sincere approach
to his subject matter gives ‘Panorama’ a sense of honesty that appeals
much more than some American waxing lyrical about his Bentley.
Yet ‘Panorama’ isn’t just track after track of heavy socially political
rage. One of the many highlights on here comes in the form of ‘Last
Tenner’, a fun tune that the man himself describes in the booklet as ‘As
close to a party track as you’ll get from me’.
Well that’s good enough for us, Mr. Tax, as is the rest of your
brilliant little album.
With cameos from Mystro, Dubbledge and Verb T, Braintax’s ‘Panorama’ is
a strong album that speaks to the people, and should be an essential
purchase for any fan of UK hip hop.
‘Panorama’ by Braintax is released on October 23rd through Low Life
records.
Recommended Links:
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www.lowliferecords.co.uk – Official Low Life Records website
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www.myspace.com/lowliferecordshq - Low Life Records @ Myspace
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