Paul Wall & Termanology Look to “Start Finish Repeat” (Album 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 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: 8/10
