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Braintax or Jo Christie has been busy for a couple of years. Concreting his Low Life label into its place as the UK's most creative stable. So it's been a while since he released a solo record. This all puts a bit of pressure on 'The Travel Show EP' to perform, thankfully it's a fucking wicked record with all the energy of a first release from a newcomer. But Braintax is far from that man, hes been honing his rhyme skills for many a year, has a long grey beard and lives in an old peoples home. Maybe. 'Tools' is a tune about err, the tools of the trade and the path to crisp production. Kind of a cross between 'Life through life' and 'Visions of splendour'. His last solo EP 'Future Years' came at a time when hip hop was in bad shape and had no real direction especially in this country. I think Jo would agree that there is a rich future for hip hop now and it shows on this EP in his optimism and passion for making beautiful music. He also seems reinvigorated by having a full crew of equally creative bods around him. 'Rational Geographics' is probably the cut that really does it for me. It has a sort of accessible jingly loop that your girlfriend would probably like (no offense laydees) and it's just gorgeous. The sample for the hook is perfectly placed and really showcases the production skills here. Ben Grymm does his "Thing" (Geddit?) on 'Go there' with chorus vocals by the Easter Island Community Choir and theres another dope Low Life posse cut 'Making Moves' featuring Supa T and Lewis Parker. There's not many people in hip hop making beautiful music, No I.D used to do it, Yeshua does it, Hi Tek does it but the Low Life Crew does it to such a high standard it makes you well up with British Pride. Another classic flower to add to the UK's blooming scene, don't sleep kiddies.
Enough has been said about this unbelievably wicked EP. If you haven't got it, get it. Simple as that.
Solid release from Joe Braintax with this one. Lowlife has always been a home for strong hip-hop and the tunes contained on this piece of plastic are no different. Anyone getting tired of the usual tales of inner city crime/grime should definately give Braintax's travel tales a go. The production ain't bad either. Had a certain UK producer sayin to me that he wished he had produced one of 'em. 5/5 Best Track: Tools Random Quote: "You think it's funny, that I don't make money and I don't front - And no, I'm not a trendy....."
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Braintax The Travel Show EP