Luca Brazi - Dying Proof - OneLion Review

Towards the front end of this (not yet finished) summer of muddy fields and geometric patterns in the sky, we got wind of an immanent solo LP release from a relatively unknown yet extremely powerful force in the UK underground scene.

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This force goes by the name of Luca Brazi and he makes up part of super nang live band ‘Granville Sessions’ who, if you don't already know, are a 7 piece live hip hop band that are a true spectacle and privilege to see doing their thing in the flesh and have been gathering praise and recognition since their debut release mini LP ‘No State’ back in 2008 and their critically acclaimed 2013 LP ‘Forward’ which was nominated for Wordplay magazines ‘Album Of The Year’ 2013. Brazi is one third of the lyrical input for Granville as well as producing a few tracks here and there too.

You may also recognise his name from yet another of last years ‘Album Of The Year’ nominations ‘B.O.M.B’ which is a collaborative project with Boom Bap Professionals long serving suave badman, Oliver Sudden. This project is produced entirely by the pair who split the beat making 50/50 and both put in serious work in the booth to ensure this project exploded, and it did!

This latest offering is a full length 16 track solo LP with every single tune being produced by Brazi himself (with additional funk slap space bass in places by Jon Ball of Granville Sessions and insane Cuts by the legendary DJ Sugai) and is the second release from his very own ‘Broke Records’ label.

The album is titled ‘Dying Proof’ and is an eye opening, introspective journey through the thoughts, attitudes and past experiences of its creator in the way we all love - through the medium of soulful, mould-breaking hip hop.

From the get go of the interview-style intro track titled ‘Introview’, Brazi has the listener gripped with a hard hitting rhyme scheme in which he astutely fills you in on his background. 

From this point on I guarantee you won't want to stop listening and the vast array of subject matter throughout the project, from booze and drugs to life journey’s and inner thought, combined with the brutal honesty Brazi is able to project through his music will, no doubt, make you arrive at the same decision we did - this is a sincere, raw classic.

A breakdown of each track would somewhat spoil the surprise for you lot so I won't go into too much detail but make sure you check for features from Brazi’s Granville bandmates and highly credible Emcee’s in their own right, Mnsr Frites & Archetype on track 3 of the project titled ‘The Breakdown’.

Theres also features from the other half of B.O.M.B, Oliver Sudden and SMB/Organised Mess head, Fourni P on track 11 titled ‘Skills’ in which these highly adept lyricists highlight the wasted talent amongst a mainstream industry of puppets and puppet masters.

EVERY SINGLE TUNE on this project has its own merits and would stand out in any playlist as a certified British banger. However, I would urge you to strap a spliff, make a cuppa and take the time to sit and listen from start to finish and let Luca Brazi take you on the journey he’s put so much of his heart and soul into creating for us. 

You will not be disappointed and will find yourself laughing at Trailer Park Boys samples one minute whilst deeply contemplating addiction and love the next. 

Keep your eyes peeled for B.O.M.B Number 2 which should be dropping from the sky as Luca Brazi & Oliver Sudden’s feng powered jet flys over a town near you at some point soon, as well as future releases from Granville Sessions and the elusive Moose Funk Squad. 

I would also keep up to date with Brazi’s ‘Broke Records’ label as i’m sure you can expect plenty more releases and if their of the same calibre as this LP, you're gonna want to cop them all. 


Album Available NOW: BandCamp OR Suspect-Packages
And if you like the album then please go over to Broke Records and show some love.


If you agree, disagree, hate, love or would like to have your project looked over for a review from One Lion Sound, just drop me an Email.