What began as a Termanology solo album results in a worthwhile collaboration with Lil Fame, one half of the boisterous Brooklyn duo M.O.P. Called Fizzyology, the project unveils Fame's overlooked flair for production, and harmonizes well with Term's substantial bars.

Known for his ability to up the ante at live performances and on wax, Fizzy Womack, Fame's producer title, kicks off the album with the gloomy backdrop for "After Midnight," a track that features both artists capturing the bleak conditions that make nights in slums feel that much darker. "After midnight, when the fiends come out/ When the Bs and the Cs and the Gs come out/See the snakes in the grass when the Ds come out/Nigga please, for the cheese, enemies come out," Term spits on the hook. For all that, the bulk of the LP features soulful beats by Fizzy, including "Hustler's Ringtone," "Pray for Me," "Endtro" and "Lil Ghetto Boy." By the same token, Statik Selektah, Alchemist and DJ Premier supply strong instrumentals, the latter incorporating his iconic scratches on his lone beat.

One element from the album worthy of applaud is the way both artists complement each other. Fame generates abundant vigor during his verses, while Term brings a somber mellowness. Both strands ultimately unite by the credibility of their content, exemplified on the gritty "Fizzyology" and the LP's most personal cut, "Family Ties." Into the bargain, Fame has a handful of solo cuts, and on one of them, "Not By You," the lively Brooklynite confirms that M.O.P. is still very much alive, not to mention Billy Danze's appearance on "Crazy." Bun B, Busta Rhymes, Freeway and Styles P all make guest features on the LP, adding admirable verses. Sampling other artists, like DMX on the grim "Play Dirty," or themselves, like M.O.P. on the standout "From the Streets," contribute to the album's distinction.

Surely, some tracks on Fizzyology are much better than others, yet skip-worthy cuts weren't allowed. Term and Fame a.k.a Fizzyology mesh well, culminating in a praiseworthy collaborative effort. —Christopher Minaya (@CM_3)

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