Hi-Tek
Hi-Teknology 3: Underground
Reviewed by: MJ AKA Marissa J. Lonardo

It seems like only yesterday (actually it’s almost been a year but whose counting) Hi Tek killed it with his Hi-Teknology series part two and without wasting anytime at all he’s back with his third studio installment “Hi-Teknology 3.” The cd has15 tracks including an intro, an interlude, a Tektramental (aka straight instrumental made by Hi-Tek), and an outro. All of which sticks to his time honor tradition and what I like to call a proven formula shall I say and gives us some notable MC’s with sprinkles of a few un-known MC’s rapping over his super laced, highly eccentric, and of course intricate beats.

Firstly, I love a good intro on an album, so brownie points are due here. I feel it takes us the listener into the artist’s world and of course in this case Hi-Tek “the super producer’s” world. To me it feels kind of like being decompressed from the world and readying yourself for ear candy.

With features by well known artists such as Young Buck, Little Brother, Ghostface Killah, Talib Kweli, Raekwon, and up incomers such as Dion (who appears on 4 tracks), Estelle, and Push Montana just to name a few. The album starts out on the right track literally.

Starting with “Life To Me” featuring Estelle, I must say is perfectly placed. A nice slow tempo song that I feel is sure get you into a chill mood. And after that song it would’ve been a complete disaster if an interlude wasn’t strategically placed before one of my favorite songs on the album. “My Piano” featuring the dynamic Shaolin Island duo Ghostface & Reakwon, and newbie Dion, all incinerate Hi-Tek’s masterful beat with their gritty, no hold bard, rhyming style.

More stand out’s include “Time” featuring Talib Kweli a real track that shows Talib’s growth as an MC and Hi-Tek’s skill as a producer. “Step Ya Game Up (Remix)” featuring Little Brother also does it in with nice use of the turntables in the beginning. Another killer track (no pun intended) is fittingly named “Kill You” by up incomer Push Montana. The whole track in fluid from beginning to end, whether it be from this MC rhyming or Hi-Tek on the beat, a great calabo through and through.

Although the album is fluid one track that should have been left off is “I’m Back” feat. Rem Dog although the beat is hot, I don’t think it flows with the other hot tracks in the collection, a definite skip.

Overall ‘Hi-Teknology 3’ is a success and with this album making a trilogy for Hi-Tek he has genuinely imprinted himself as a well rounded producer especially by hand picking artists to shine on his skillfully designed beats. But even though you hear MC’s rhyming Hi Tek proves he is the one holding the marionette strings. A great listen right through the end.