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HI-TEK - Hi-Teknology, Vol. 2: The Chip - Amazon.com Music
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It's hard to find fault with Hi-Tek. Whether it's his Cincinnati upbringing that enabled him to have a unique and organic sound, his genuine love for music, or the high-caliber emcees and singers he has collaborated with over the years; Hi-Tek is one of the best in the game today and probably tomorrow, hands down. The proof is in the 15 solid tracks that comprise Hi-Teknology 2: The Chip (Om/Babygrande), simply another notch on the Aftermath staff producer's heavyweight belt.
Since his debut solo offering, Hi-Teknology, Tony Cottrell had pretty much ditched the confines of conscious Hip-Hop (Reflection Eternal, Black Star) for the greener pastures, finding his beats beneath the vocals of the likes of Snoop Dogg and 50 Cent. While his paychecks may have gotten fatter as result, it's clear he has preserved his creative charge to make music for purists as well as the mainstream, and everyone in between. Hi-Teknology 2 is a better-crafted, more refined version its first installment.
From the sonic perspective, the best track on the album is "Keep It Moving," a string and jazz percussion-laden song featuring thoughtful verses from Q-Tip and Kurupt. Conceptually and lyrically, "Music For Life" is the one to check for, as it features Nas narrating his musical journey and Hi-Tek professing his love for the art form. On "Where It Started (N.Y.),"Jadakiss, Papoose, Raekwon and Talib Kweli toast the ins-and-outs of their hometown over a classic Hi-Tek number, a down tempo beat with melodic strings. Less successful are collaborations with Game ("1-800-Homicide") and Busta Rhymes ("March"), and that's only because the two emcees apply their normal repertoire to an otherwise uniquely crafted product.
Overall, Hi-Teknology 2 is an elite exhibition of Hi-Tek's production virtuosity. Much like the late J Dilla, Just Blaze and Kanye, he manages to achieve something other producers have trouble doing: creating a mood without sounding redundant. Ultimately, it's that type of music-making that will stand the test of time, so Hi-Tek is on the right track.
Hi-Tek's second installment of his Hi-Teknology saga is a much more balanced, and finer product than the first. The young, inspiring producer has obviously learned quite a lot as one of Aftermath's heavyweight producers, with Dr. Dre as his mentor, and Dre's influence on Tek is evident in a few of the tracks on this album. At the same time, Hi-Tek's production remains as original as its ever been.
Tracks like "Where It Started At," which is one of the hottest singles released this year, put this album in the territory it's reached. Jadakiss, Papoose, Raekwon, and Talib all guest on that song, and as can be expected from those four talented emcees, this posse cut is undeniably ill. Dion is also on the hook, and he finds himself on this album quite a good bit; which is actually welcome, seeing as he has a pleanant tone of voice, which is different from most R&B cats out today.
"1-800 Homicide" is, musically, a trip back to Dre's style on 2001; in fact, the beat would sound completely at home on that album had it not come out 7 years ago. The Game and Dion are both on this track, and while The Game delivers his typical name-dropping fare, Dion provides an infectious hook, and the beat is too hard to pass up. It's only a shame how criminally short this song is.
"Music For Life" is the most powerful cut on the album, featuring Busta Rhymes, Nas, Marsha(of Floetry), Common, and the late Dilla. Now, while I'm all for preserving Dilla's legacy, and I know his friends lost a great person, I really think that he's being slightly over-exposed by his friends, as he's had numerous songs in dedication to him on some of 2006's most acclaimed releases. I say this out of complete respect for Jay Dee himself; I don't want to see his legacy disgraced in the same way other hip-hop artists are after they leave this earth. Nonetheless, this is still an amazing song. Everyone drops an ill verse, and the production is top-notch, much like everything else found on the album.
Other stand-out tracks include "The Chip," "Keep It Moving," "Josephine," and "So Tired." With the all-star casts, including hip-hop heavyweights like Ghostface Killah, Q-Tip, Busta Rhymes, Raekwon, Common, Talib Kweli, The Game, Jadakiss, and Nas, to highly underrated emcees like Devin The Dude, Bun B, and Papoose, this album delivers from start to finish, and should move a decent amount of units. No matter how well it sells, it's still one of this year's finest achievements, and Hi-Tek was able to compile one dope album.
Hi-Tek one of the hot producers out there, falls a little short on this colaboration. Most of the beats are hot and the production is decent overall but the overall experience lacks that hard-hitting hip-hop feel from the 1st CD. Takes a while to grow on you. Too many slow jams.
This album is hot from beginning to the end Tek blazes tight beats with MC's who can hang lyrically. He has everyone on this album from Jadakiss to Papoose to Slim Thug. This album has something that every hip hop fan will enjoy. It's too bad that this album will not get much recognition because it's not mainstream enough but in my eyes it's definitly classic
TOP Tracks
Where It Started At (NY)
1800 Homicide (THE GAME IS CRAZY ON THIS TRACK...ONE BLOOD)
What a great collection of hits. This is my first HI-TEK CD, so I have nothing to compare it to. There are so many good tracks on this cd and each one has its own feel and originality. Josephine is a stand out track as well as many others. BUY IT.
Hi-tek hit it out the ballpark with this one baby! Production is insane and amazingly he matches all the guest appearances with the right beat, favourite song would have to be "Josephene" with Ghostface who is extremely on point with his verses! Definetly one of the better releases of the year...
I love the cd its a classic. The only thing I don't like is the track "March" with Busta. But out of the rest its a great chill back cd to listen to. You have different ranges to choose from for any mood that you are in.
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