Termanology – “Things I Seen” review

Lawrence, Massachusetts emcee/producer Termanology linking up with Detroit, Michigan producer Bronze Nazareth for his 13th studio LP. The leader of the ST. da Squad collective, he would also form the duos G.O.Y.A. (Gunz Or Yay Available) with Shortfyuz as well as 1982 with Statik Selektah or Fizzyology with Lil’ Fame & more recently Teknology with Tek. You also have a dozen albums of his that he’s released by himself, with standouts including the sophomore effort Politics as Usual or Bad Decisions & the Dame Grease-produced Set in Stone to name a few. 3 months after Teknology’s eponymous debut, Term’s putting the Things I Seen on wax.

After the “Hex Murda” intro, the title track begins with this soulful boom bap beat talking about simply wanting to live whereas “Make It Flood”keeps it rugged instrumentally talking about being as smooth of an operator as he already is. “Beast Mode” gets back on the chipmunk soul vibe boasting his lyrical abilities just before “Fargo” featuring Wais P finds the 2 making too much money to be living in sorrow.

“Sometimes You Go” featuring Jon Connor sees the both of them talking about not living lavish & their passion being wherever they pass it while “History Lesson” also featuring Jon Connor goes back-to-back discussing God giving them the ability & that not being so much of a mystery. The “Do You Remember?” interlude should’ve been meshed with the actual song featuring SuperSTah Snuk since they tie-in well with each other chopping up the soul samples again so they can get reminiscent.

Marv Won joins Termanology on “Alotta Prose (I Know)” maintaining a soulful edge to the beat so both of them can brush off any small talk that comes their way since neither of them have any time for that shit & prior to the outro, the final song “Henny Cancer” featuring Bronze Nazareth himself & Salute da Kidd wraps officially concludes Things I Seen by getting the trio together for a hardcore hip hop barfest without a hook chasing a legacy.

Things I Seen bounces back from the mixed reception of Term’s last couple solo efforts representing the perfect intersection of two legendary forces in the underground scene bringing each of both parties’ unique flavor to the table to make an experience that transcends mere music by going on this audible journey through life, struggle & triumph. Bronze Nazareth’s unparalleled production & poetic lyricism joining forces with the ST. da Squad leader’s razor-sharp rhymes & magnetic presence results in an unrelenting dedication to their craft.

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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Paul Wall & Termanology – “Start Finish Repeat” review

This is the 2nd collaborative LP between Paul Wall & Termanology. One hails from Houston, Texas & the other coming straight out of Boston, Massachusetts. However, both of them have been holding it down for the culture for the past 2 decades with their insane work ethics & albums like The People’s Champ or Politics as Usual. They’ve worked with one another a few times within the last couple years & are took their chemistry to new heights with Start 2 Finish, so it was enough to have me anticipate the sequel Start Finish Repeat.

“Wall Paper (No Chit Chat)” is an angelic boom bap opener produced by Statik Selektah getting on that grind time whereas “Palm Trees” featuring AZ takes a more summery route from the slick instrumental to the lyrics about being fresh out the coupe after traveling high. “It’s Magic” featuring CL Smooth goes into funkier territory doing this with no apologies whatsoever leading into “Houston BBQ” featuring Bun B returning to the boom bap thanks to Large Professor providing an anthem for you to cookout to in the 713.

Moving on from there, “Talk About It” weaves this groovy sample with kicks & snares dropping smooth braggadocio just before “Positive Vibes” featuring Tony Sunshine of the Terror Squad gives off a glossy boom bap edge to the beat getting in their positivity bags. “Do It for the Ghetto” featuring Big K.R.I.T. works in some pianos & hi-hats so all 3 of them can join forces to write a ballad dedicated to the streets, but then “Got It Made” featuring Peedi Crakk of State Property discusses the way they living over an airy instrumental from Diamond D of the Diggin’ In The Crates collective.

“Blue Bill Bandit” compared themselves to thieves when it comes take $100s over a flute-tinged boom bap beat from Buckwild while “Smoke Somethin’” featuring Sheek Louch incorporates a soul sample courtesy of JR Swiftz talking about smoking weed of course. “Leather Recliner” is a synth-laced late night cruiser to bump riding with the top down while “No Apologies” brings back the Trill O.G. Bun B for a glamorously dusty joint about how they gon’ have to bring an army to take theirs.

To start the final leg of the duo’s 2nd collaborative effort, the penultimate song “Real Life” gives off a jazzier flare musically giving y’all a look into their actual lives & the title track featuring NEMS fresh off his Scram Jones-produced major label debut Rise of the Silverback rounds it all out with Cartune Beatz keeping the jazz influences in the picture bringing some kicks & snares into the fold so all 3 emcees can make it known to everyone listening with only minutes left that they back at it.

Start 2 Finish was a cool look at the Boston & Houston emcees gelling with one another, but this sequel over here is on par & even has it’s highs that’re higher than the last collab album was a year & a half ago. The production is generally based in Term’s east coast boom bap roots, but he & Paul are both spittin’ at an exceptional caliber together & the feature list is consistent on top of it

Score: 4/5

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Paul Wall & Termanology – “Start 2 Finish” review

This is the brand new collaborative album between Paul Wall & Termanology. One hails from Houston, Texas & the other coming straight out of Boston, Massachusetts. However, both of them have been holding it down for the culture for the past 2 decades with their insane work ethics & albums like The People’s Champ or Politics as Usual. They’ve worked with one another a few times within the last couple years & are now taking their chemistry to new heights by dropping Start 2 Finish.

“No Asterisk” opens up the album with a soulful Statik Selektah instrumental talking about wanting the rings & the title whereas “Ask Permission” takes a jazzier route advising to ask them in advance prior to pulling up to either H-Town or Beantown. “Recognize My Car” dives into boom bap territory with the help of Pete Rock talking about whips just before Bun B tags along for the classy money making anthem “Thailand”.

Meanwhile on “No Favors Pt. 2”, we have Paul & Term delivering a fresh sequel to a joint off The Po-Up Poet leading into Statik KXNG & Wais P coming into the picture for the triumphant “Clubber Lang” spitting braggadocio. “How You Been?” goes into a sensual direction thanks to Dame Grease getting romantic while the song “No Tolerance” with Fly Anakin & NEMS is just a dusty, 4 minute barfest. The penultimate track “Money on My Phone” has a slower beat talking about that’s all see & “Step Outside” with Millyz ends the album with a powerful boom bap ballad encouraging to forget what it’s like living in the dark.

Coming from someone who’s been a fan of these guys for a minute, Start 2 Finish is definitely one of the best collab efforts that either one of them have ever made. I think Paul sounds great on top of traditional East Coast production & his chemistry with Termanology is improving steadily also.

Score: 4/5