Review: Termanology - Time Machine

After dropping his much maligned debut "Politics As Usual", an album that fell victim to it's own premature hype, Massachusetts-bred and NYC-based MC Termanology takes several steps into the future and a few into the past for the sixth installment of his "Hood Politics" series "Time Machine".....

Unlike his album, Term's mixtapes have suffered far less from the glaring build up that came with having an all-star production lineup that gave off an "Illmatic" aura, but only yielded a "From Where???" type of performance.

Known to be electrifying in one moment with relatable, well delivered jewels and then boorish in the next with overly breathy and long winded rhymes, the Beantown sensation has had a dicey performance resume with fans at times. Even with certified bangers like "Watch How It Go Down" under his belt he seems not to trust that winning formula 24/7 like he should, and strays off course to try out other stuff that surely won't jump off with his core audience....This stupefying handicap unfortunately rears it's ugly head here sparingly, but with the production and guest list's he has enlisted it's hard not to give this "Time Machine" the good ole' Michael J. Fox look see....

Highly dope moments ensue when Term teams up with legendary New York boom bapists (TM) as well as slept-on new names. There's good variety here, no doubt about it and it's easy to let this ride through track for track.

The Reks assisted and Large Pro produced title song "Time Machine" shows the "half Latin, half white" MC's undeniable skill and oozes with that updated 90's flavor that bloggers like myself fiend over. Extra P is still doin' [I]his[/I] thang just minus the 4 inch thick specs. Other notable triumphs are the Latin tinged "Wild Puerto Ricans" that boasts an excellently re-worked Salsa sample from producer Shortfyuz and Tony Toca himself coming through to body a Spanglish verse with Ology.

The surprise chemistry comes from M.Will, the capable production offspring of all-time great Marley Marl who supplies Term with an effectively powerful didy for "God's World" and Philly product Don Cannon of "Gangsta Grillz" fame, who turns in a dope backdrop tailor made for Term's hardcore imagery on "Brown Paper Bag". Shining superiorly on every cut where he takes a critical view of society, his upbringing in the hood or just the struggle that life is in general, the Law town MC should review and digest just what his strong talking points are and aren't as a lyricist and then act accordingly. I mean damn man, a whole LP of you kicking real shit would probably be the direction to go right about now...

I digress....

While most of the vocal collabos are solid enough, the listless contributions from ST The Squad crew mates who are nowhere near their frontman's skill level put a damper on things from time to time. Specifically Superstah Snuk's inclusion (and perhaps direction) which I suspect allowed for the tape's most noticeable blemish in "Bout To Go Down"...SMH, can you say recycle bin? Term is much better suited combining with acts like Joell Ortiz for intensely executed and morally questionable jams like "It's A Shame". Lil' Fame's presence was also dully noted, as he came through and straight ripped his 16 on "Passion Is Money", the banger that borrows the late great Big Pun's unmistakable voice for a simple, yet keen chorus. I wasn't too impressed with Sheek's showing (big surprise there), but at least he wasn't rhyming gun with fun or something, like he's been known to do in the past....

A few older tracks are included, but they don't overrun the new stuff and they were all bangers from other mixes that are now conveniently packed in one place amongst a pretty hearty dose of new material. Things do end on a high note as Alchemist throws Ology a crazy jawn to zone over for the memorable 4 minute ode to necrophobia "I See Dead People", that had a pretty nice video floating around the web for awhile for promo prior to the release of "Time Machine".

In the end I'mma have to say that he got me with this one. I'm not totally sure if it was with his rhymes or his ample connections to ill producers/collaborators, but he got me...This has much re playability and packs just enough promise for his fans to keep on anticipating that he'll put it all together soon and come with some classic ish'...

7 1/2 outta 10

-BIG D O