BR and TIMEBOMB

“Fuegissimo”, the lead track from an EP of the same name, introduces BR & Timebomb’s deliberate craft of vintage beats, organic instrumentation, and contemporary lines of lyric and flow. Leaning hard on a flashy ‘80’s aesthetic, “Fuegissimo” may very well have you juicing the boom box and lacing up a pair of Air Force Ones…um, the original kind. If this sounds like something you’d be in to…well, enjoy the synthesized back drop, complete with bass and snare beats that sound programmed off a clumpy Casio, while it lasts. ‘Cause as this EP plays through, the ‘80’s ultimately give way to a highly versed journey through Hip Hop’s long and storied history.

This kind of thing should be expected though. Diving through the collective’s bio reveals a project pulled together in the borough of Brooklyn. Twenty-seven year old BR, aka Beyond Recognition, culled the six piece band together back in 2002 with a desire to develop a cool, energetic, and focused style that allowed for plenty of lyrical versatility. The Fuegissmo EP/Single suggests he is well on his way. On “Note a Joke”, BR spits aggressive lines over an exotic, global tripping backdrop. Jammy guitar lines, violin, trumpet, and eastern flavored back up vocals; these are not the usual make up of a hip hop track, but I guess that just means BR & Timebomb are not a very usual kind of band. That is a good thing. That is a declaration of appeal… something even BR alludes to on “Toolz”. Rhyming, “I got black trash, white trash, high class, lovin’ it”, BR knows he can be all things to all people. And if his more independent leanings aren’t your thing, check the more mainstream sound of tracks like “2 for 1” and “With You Again”. – David Pitz - David Pitz

BR and Timebomb are a Brooklyn-based rap combo with the lyrical sense and vibrant energy of The Roots or The Black Eyed Peas who happen to make their music the old fashioned way – they play it; on instruments. In what may be one of the most innovative releases of the year, BR And Timebomb released their EP Fuegissimo. Hip-hop may never be the same.

What a wonderfully refreshing sound! BR And Timebomb open with Fuegissimo, a hip-hop dance tune that has entirely organic instrumentation. Violin, trumpet, bass and drums concoct an original yet recognizable hip-hop sound that is unlike anything I’ve heard. The song itself is incredibly catchy; if it doesn’t get your feet moving you’d better have someone check your pulse. It’s On You continues with the original instrumentation, but you’re used enough to it by now to notice something else: BR can rhyme with the best of them. The rhymes are intelligent, poetic and well thought out. The backing vocalist is no slouch either. Tools opens with a plaintive violin solo that turns into Celtic style fiddling after the bass, drums and guitar come in. BR is once again well-spoken in rhyme. The EP closes out with Super BR, a bit of autobiographical trash talk in rhyme that’s entertaining.

It’s amazing what a change in instrumental scheme can do for a genre that borders on overdone and tired at times. While I’ve heard a number of bands/artists go the organic music route with hip-hop, I’ve never heard anyone do it quite like this. BR And Timebomb are new and unique enough to capture attention, and talented enough to hold onto it for the long haul. Don’t be surprised if this is the beginning of a long, slow build for BR And Timebomb that results in a lengthy and steady career.
- Wildy's World