Smif-n-Wessun – “Infinity” review

Brooklyn, New York duo Smif-n-Wessun consisting of Tek & Steele of the Boot Camp Clik returning with Jamla Records’ in-house production team The Soul Council for their 8th studio LP. Their 1995 debut Dah Shinin’ is widely regarded as an East Coast classic & the Pete Rock produced Monumental, I enjoy almost as much. The All maintain the high quality consistency of Monumental by teaming with The Soul Council for the first time, looking to do it again 6 years later on Infinity.

The title track produced by Khrysis begins The All sequel by promising that they’ll be here for eternity whereas “Moses Promise” takes the soulful boom bap route instrumentally needing the whole team to be straight in order to catch wins. “Namaste” romantically tells their partners they ain’t in a rush tonight with the help of Ka$h behind the boards leading into “Medina” featuring Pharoahe Monch bringing it hardcore over a vocal sample from Sndtrak.

“Black Eminence” featuring the late Prodigy exuberantly turns it up after being asked to tone it down some while “Chuuch” works in a gospel flip talking about keeping it rolling whether it be better or worse. “Beautiful Trip” keeps the sampling chops going flexing that the reach they have has been global for 3 decades, but then “Enjoy Ya Life” brings these pianos in the fold courtesy of 9th Wonder talking about making the best of the short time we have here on Earth.

As for “Shine”, we have Tek & Steele heading for a groovier approach explaining that they value those they battle for while “Just Stay!” featuring Conway the Machine hops over this crooning vocal sample to talk about running through whole entire squads. “On My Soul” featuring Buckshot finds the trio tackling the theme of loyalty & camaraderie while “Heard About Me” featuring the late Sean Price soulfully asks if you heard everything said regarding them lately.

“Elephant in the Room” hits the final moments of Infinity with the 2nd & final single talking about never being traitors because they find those type of people to be worse than bitches & the Nottz-laced closer “Bad Guy” rounds it all out by making everyone listening choose between whether they want to hear the ugly truth or a pretty lie being told to them when most would rather pick the pretty lies since honesty hurts sometimes.

Several years after The Soul Council first got with Smif-n-Wessun, the Jamla in-house production team ensures that Infinity didn’t sound dated it all by giving the duo the classic sound they’re known for & making it feel new in the process. They reflect of their life experiences after all these decades refusing to curve to conformity & staying true to their roots with a great list of guests in addition to the stellar production.

Score: 4.5/5

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Teknology – Self-Titled review

Teknology is an east coast hip hop duo consisting of Tek & Termanology. One of whom hails from Brooklyn, New York & the other coming straight outta Boston, Massachusetts. Collaborating with each other multiple times over the years from tracks like “Walk with Me” to “Nobody” & “T2”, they’re coming off an appearance on UFO Fev’s 8th album Strapped from this summer to deliver a full-length debut of their own to start 2024’s final month.

After the intro, the title track produced by Statik Selektah sets the tone of what’s to come with a boom bap cut introducing us to both underground veterans as an official unit whereas “Hustler’s Soul” featuring Freeway groovily talks about the hustler mindset they have. “Money Deposits” featuring Ea$y Money works in more kicks & snares from Cartune Beatz advising to put your hands up just before “The Connect” featuring Bun B, Lil’ Keke & Paul Wall dabbles with trap for a homage to the south.

“I Got What You Need” featuring UFO Fev & Wais P atmospherically calls out those who don’t really want smoke when they be fakin’ it for the bullshit they be pullin’ leading into “She’s Got a Thing for Me” featuring 5 Mics shows off a more sensual side to all 3 performers & even the Statik beat gives off a laidback approach. “Boom Bap or Die” featuring Flash is Hip Hop pays homage to the titular sound that Nottz whips up, but then “The Sun Will Shine” featuring Steele warns the convo ain’t happening if money ain’t involved.

Meanwhile on “The Game Ain’t the Same”, we have Teknology atmospherically talking about the fact shit done changed while “What They Want” morbidly asks these bitches what exactly they want from them. “Toe to Toe” goes jazz rap & delivers well-articulated hardcore lyricism while “No Stoppin’” talks about them not slowing down over a Dom Dirtee instrumental. “Been Around” featuring UFO Fev ends it all by reaffirming their legacy on top of a Sndtrak instrumental.

Soon as I first heard “UFO Teknology” off Strapped during the summer, I knew that both of east coast MCs would eventually come together for an official body of work sooner rather than later & they sure did deliver on it. The production’s consistent, the guests all match the duo’s energy & they elevate their chemistry even further outstandingly bouncing off of each other’s intensities.

Score: 4/5

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Tek – “MVP: MotiVational Purposes” review

Tek is a 50 year old MC from Brooklyn, New York notable for being 1/2 of Smif N Wessun & a member of the Boot Camp Clik collective. He also has 3 solo mixtapes, 3 EPs & even a couple full-length LPs under his belt in 24KT Smoke & Pricele$$ respectively. That said: My expectations for MVP: MotiVational Purposes we’re considerably high once I learned that Stu Bangas coming fresh off G-Mo Skee’s new album Filth City was fully producing the 4th EP that Tek’s put out on his own front to back.

“Back Inda Days” begins my mixing a pitched vocal sample with kicks & snares reminiscing on when everything used to be fun & games whereas “Hour After Hour” is this orchestral boom bap crossover talking about how the grind never stops & what’s good with having heart if you don’t use it. The song “Agave” keeps it dusty pullin’ up to the block at 5 with his Glock cocked & the horn-driven penultimate track “B.O.C. (Ballin’ Outta Control)” explanatorily talks about ballin’ insanely, but then “Big” closes shop with a triumphant trap joint boasting that everything’s huge.

Some heads I know weren’t too crazy about the Teksmokeelah EP nearly a year & a half ago, but MVP: MotiVational Purposes is undoubtedly a higher step above than it’s predecessor & even surpassing Pricele$$ as the best thing that Tek has ever made without his partner-in-rhyme Steele. Stu Bangas’ production is significantly more consistent than a lot of Tek’s past solo material & the latter resists overloading it with guests getting on the motivational tip lyrically.

Score: 4.5/5

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Smif-n-Wessun – “The All” review

Smif-n-Wessun are a legendary Brooklyn, New York hip hop duo consisting of Tek & Steele from the Boot Camp Clik. Their 1995 debut Dah Shinin’ is widely regarded as an East Coast classic & now just 8 years after the Pete Rock produced Monumental marked an official return to form for the Cocoa Brovaz, they’re making their return with their 7th full-length album with Jamla Records in-house production team The Soul Council producing it in it’s entirety.

After the “Education of Smif-n-Wessun” intro, the first song “Testify” sees the duo looking back at their career over a boom bap beat with a faint vocal sample popping in & out from 9th Wonder & Khrysis. The track “Dreamland” with Raekwon sees the 3 reminiscing on their childhoods over a settle instrumental while the song “Ocean Drive” with Rapsody is a Bonnie & Clyde-esque tune over a keyboard-inflicted boom bap beat. The track “Let It Go” talks about murdering their competition over a boom bap beat with a dinky keyboard-lead.

The track “Letter 4 U” is a dedication to their families over some punchy drums while the song “Let Me Tell” with Rick Ross sees the 3 getting confrontational over an eerie beat. The title track gets boastful about their skills over an ominous beat while the song “We Good” with GQ pretty much speaks for itself over a moody beat. The track “StahfAllah” talks about being cut from a different cloth over a boom bap beat with a quiet-horn lead while the song “Illusions” tells the story of a dumb dude in the streets over a boom bap beat with some eerie background vocals. The album then ends with “1 Time” talking about their legacy over a jazzy-boom bap beat. Overall, this was a damn near perfect comeback for the duo. It’s focused, the lyrics are insightful & the production from The Soul Council suits them fantastically.

Score: 4.5/5