Braille’ fourth album has been described as “a dizzying journey, with eloquent rhymes and raps that always return to potent points, and with them the artist builds up a powerful foundation of advice, self observance, and self awareness…” by Billboard. A finely produced album of lyrical splendor, Braille is so on point with just about every track on the album, but what sets it apart for me is the use of numerous beat makers and producers to create diversity and variety in musical styles, yet firmly cementing a listenable album, coherent as a whole.
Beats by Ohmega Watts, Shuko, The Are, Marco Polo, 88 Keys, Staffro, DJ Spinna, S1, Barry Hampton, J-Thrill, Mr Mar, OhNo, Aetoms, Kno, M-Phazes, K-Murdock and J-Zone, now, half of these producers are unknown to me, but they shouldn’ be, this is world class production, not just a lame backbeat, but compositions that sit perfectly with what Braille has to say. Every track has a different beatsmith, and you’d think because of this it would be a disjointed affair, a mish-mash of beats and rhymes, with no cohesion to listen to an album from start to finish, but it’s the total opposite, it seems to flow and swing from track to track, it may be a new chapter, buts its definitely the same book. With guest vocals by Mr J Medeiros, Manchild, Speech, Sojourn, Barry Hampton, Theory Hazit and Ragen Fykes, that compliment Braille’ flow nicely, giving it an old-school lyrical feel, but underpinned by upfront modern production.
If you like this, you should check out more from Braille at www.myspace.com/braillebrizzy.
Wayne Stronell
