Boston’s Termanology has been putting it down on the scene for the last couple of years, first discovered in The Source Magazine’s “Unsigned Hype” column. He has now released a total of four Hood Politics mix CD’s. Mixed by Statik Selektah, Term uses these compilations of exclusive material over original beats to show off his talent and versatility. Spearheading the release of this latest volume is “Watch How It Go Down”, produced by DJ Premier – but is that enough to get heads to take notice?

    Because Termanology is so damn nice on the mic, hell yes. “Watch How It Go Down” was easily one of the best indie hip-hop singles of 2006, as DJ Premier lends a classic, cinematic beat, complete with M.O.P. samples in the hook, egging on Term to do his best. And he does, declaring himself “the holy resurrection of Pun”, effortlessly carrying the baton from the spirit of his deceased mentor. He continues to impress right after, on “100 Jewels”, a ridiculously raw, Showbiz-influenced beat, which features the emcee spitting some of his most venomous lyrics with great technicality. Equal parts street savvy and intricate lyrical skill come through on songs like the doo-wop sampled “Think It Over” (feat. Trife Da God) and the late night hype sounds of “H.U.S.T.L.E.R.”

     But Termanology treads the line between raw street beats of yesterday and the more polished, commercially viable sound of today. While the first half of the CD shows his strengths, the second half inadvertently spotlights his weaknesses. He gets extra thuggidy on songs like the bouncy “Got ‘Em” and the local murder rate anthem, “79 Murders”, but almost takes it too far with dark and scary beats that might better suit Lloyd Banks (if that).  The smoothed out “Winter” finds Term balancing out relationships with two women, giving you some insight into his not-so-altruistic personality. He delves even deeper on “Just Like Me”, a dedication to his daughter, but it hardly comes off as heartfelt, as he spends too much time attempting to tarnish the image of his baby’s mother in the eyes of his daughter.

     Towards the end, things get back on track, as Clinton Sparks and Statik Selektah review some of Termanology’s older material, most notably “Watch Your Back”, which is literally a contest to see who can come nicer on the mic between Royce and Term. Also standing out in this section of the album is the remix of the lead single, “Watch How It Go Down”, now featuring verses from Papoose and Lil’ Fame of M.O.P. Both of these songs clear up any doubts listeners might have about Term’s style after the album’s second half.

    But really, it just depends which side of Term you like better – the rawness found on the album’s first half, or the more marketable version on the disc’s second half. Regardless, Termanology is easily one of the nicest emcees in the underground right now, and it’s only a matter of time before he fleshes out and becomes one of hip-hop’s big dogs.