The Brainstormers – The Brainstormers EP (2011)

Artist: The Brainstormers (Cayoz Da Beast x A.L. Laureate x Praverb the Wyse x DJ Grazzhoppa x O*Zee)

Album:  The Brainstormers EP

Source: Bandcamp

Tracklisting:

1. By All Means (prod. by Deca One)
2. Mind’s Design (prod. by O*Zee)
3. 4 Corner Vision (ft. Crooked I) (prod. by Teddy Roxpin)
4. Proceed With Caution (ft. Skyzoo) (prod. by Teddy Roxpin)
5. Righteous Soldiers (ft. Hell Razah) (prod. by Teddy Roxpin)
6. Same Start (ft. ManChild Of Mars ILL) (prod. by DJ Frantic)

Note:

There’s a new group to speak of in independent hip hop.   Each of the lyrical members of the group hail from what essentially is the four corners of the continental United States.  The DJ, DJ Grazzhoppa, hails from Belgium.  They come to you collectively as The Brainstormers. Some groups like to project how “eclectic” they are, but in this case, each member of The Brainstormers does indeed bring a completely different style to the table.

The most unique of the four emcees, in my opinion,  is A.L. Laureate out of Florida.  He is billed  as the abstract one and that term definitely qualifies.  His style is very poetic.  It takes a while to digest what Laureate is saying, which actually is quite refreshing in this day in age where we are being spoon fed lyrically. Praverb the Wyse has always struck me as someone who has a great spiritual resonance.  He brings a level of sincerity to the mic. Cayoz Da Beast is the most pragmatic emcee of the group.  His style is very deliberate and his flow is more aggressive than the others.  O*Zee (not featured as an emcee on the project) is an excellent addition to the group.  He is lyrically gifted and can drop the ill punchlines and metaphors.   His wordplay is very elaborate and clever.

Together The Brainstormers give you a lot of food for thought on this six track release.  The production throughout the project is definitely mellow allowing you to focus on the lyricism.  For instance, on the track, 4 Corner Vision, the jazzy beat sits in the background, while A.L. Laureate, Crooked I, Praverb, and Cayoz all drop bars that really reflect their different personalities, but all remain personal.  One of the bars that stood out to me came from Praverb’s verse.  These words just reflect that sincerity I was referring to earlier.

I write from the heart I never fake the passion / Took a bite from the apple while the snake was laughing
I love hip-hop; I won’t disgrace the past tense / Or degrade women, I’m James Bond while rapping

My favorite joint off the album is Proceed With Caution which features Skyzoo.  I am feeling Skyzoo more and more with every appearance.  I also am extremely fond of this beat which is provided by Teddy Roxpin, who incidentally is becoming a very sought after producer.  The keyboard tones going on in the background and DJ Grazzhoppa’s exceptional scratching make this song an audible treat.  I hate to pick the same emcee to quote twice but here’s a few more Praverb lines to chew on:

So please proceed with caution  / Wear plastic gloves when my music leaves the walkman
I’m a lyricist, y’all claim that your pen don’t write / Every verse hits hard like a Kimbo right

Hell Razah drops some bars on the cut, Righteous Soldiers, which is a track that seemed destined for him to rhyme on.   The beat is slow and yet the vocal samples in the background give it a melodic quality.  The track has religious and spiritual overtones and references.  Check A.L. Laureate’s verse on this to see what he offers the group and this joint in particular:

Light illustrates messengers of this endangered chamber
Expository prayers for the weary in grave danger
March down streets with significance way beyond speech
In a world of deceit believing in such a thing as good grief

All in all, this is a release that got better with each listen.  The EP focuses on dope lyricism that drops over unassuming production.  The Brainstomers EP lets you get acquainted with each member of the group (minus O*Zee) and see what they have to offer, not only lyrically, but also intellectually.   The emcees each paint their own, unique pictures over a melodic canvas.  This isn’t boom-bap for the system, this is musical therapy for listeners who want a bit more substance per each bar spit.  I look forward to a full length project, but meanwhile please give this EP a listen.