Reflection Eternal "Train of Thought" (October 17, 2000)

Anyone familiar with Talib Kweli's impressive raps with Mos Def on the 1998 Black Star album might consider taking a deep breath before facing this semi-solo project. Like so many others in the fertile hip-hop underground, Black Star put words with a stark seriousness, measuring their flow and message with such minute precision it was no wonder they kept the beats solid but simple. It focused your attention on their small corner of the street. But, as Kweli says, he's not out for the street now, but for all the folks in it. From the Nelson Mandela impersonator who kicks things off by announcing that he always listen to Kweli "whenever I'm in Africa chilling out," to the heartrending closing tribute "For Women," this tremendously ambitious album consistently balances serious depth with serious cheekiness. Moreover, DJ Hi-Tek earns his equal billing with beats both rough and lush that bust Kweli out of the underground and into hip-hop's center stage. Not too long ago, that center was a no-man's land, but now Kweli joins De La Soul, Blackalicious, LL Cool J, Common, Jurassic-5 and all the others who have made 2000 the year the fellas got their groove back. Together, they'll help us all learn to exhale. - CMJ New Music Monthly (12/00). Revisit below...

Promo sticker and album review in CMJ (December, 2000)

Reflection Eternal "Train of Thought" (Vibe, 2000)

When it comes to wholesome heartfelt rap, it doesn't get any more idealistic or sincere than the work of Talib Kweli and his producer/partner, Hi-Tek. The duo has secured a place in New York's underground scene as hip-hop's quiet conscience. After a string of successful singles, like "Fortified Live" and "The Manifesto," and Kweli's collaborative LP with Mos Def, Mos Def & Talib Kweli are Black Star, Kweli and Hi-Tek have finally finished their thorough debut platter, Reflection Eternal. Produced mainly by Hi-Tek, the album oscillates between the sublime neo-soul sounds popularized by Jay Dee and his Soulquarian brethren and faster, more dynamic neck snappers. "Too Late" exemplifies the former with its syrupy guitar licks, pleasing record hits, and complex percussion. Hi-Tek ups the ante on "Down for the Count," which cracks with marching-band intensity. Aided by strong performances from Xzibit and Rah Digga, Kweli slaps sucka MCs with his clever battle rhymes. The LP peaks with "Soul Rebels," a surprisingly funky, up-tempo collaboration with De La Soul that showcases some awesome wordplay. Reflection Eternal's great weakness is Kweli's excessive preaching about the state of hip-hop, but at least he cares. Perhaps he'll be able to make a few others care too. - Vibe (December, 2000). The LP was released on 10/17/00, revisit it below...

A copy of the album review in Vibe Magazine (12/00) is below...

Hi-Tek Interview in Murder Dog (2001) + HBD

A quick Happy Born Day shout-out to Cincinnati's own, Hi-Tek. I first heard Hi-Tek on the underground gems from the Cincinnati crew, Mood, in the mid-90s. Their singles 'Hustle On The Side,' 'Karma,' and 'Snakebacks,' as well as their debut, 'Doom,' were exceptional records that I sold damn near everytime I put them on the turntables at Fat Beats (before they closed their doors). Those records were some of my introductions, but he'd later release a collaborative album with Talib Kweli (who also got put on by Mood), as Reflection Eternal, in 2000 on Rawkus Records. 'Train of Thought' as an entire body of work helped move the needle for underground Hip-Hop entering the new millennium. Until I read this interview, I was unaware of Hi-Tek's lukewarm sentiments to his debut producer album, 'Hi-Teknology.' In his own words, it wasn't the album he would have done, but as a stepping stone to more opportunities, he made it a point to display the versatility in his production and surely crafted a nice lane for himself with joints with Common, Jonell, Mos Def, Slum Village, etc. Subsequent albums would include more fierce production coupled with features from Nas, Q-Tip, Busta, Bun B, Raekwon, Ghostface, and more. He may always remain underrated in this climate of Hip-Hop, but he's highly respected among the elites in the industry. For those more familiar with music that transcends Hip-Hop, Hi-Tek also produced 'Come Down' on Anderson .Paak's smash album, 'Malibu,' last year, and I trust we'll be hearing a lot more from him in 2017. Click HERE and be sure to give him a follow and a born day salute! Check out Hi-Tek's 'Music For Life' below...

Reflection Eternal "Train of Thought" (2000)

There's something wonderful about an MC who can make you think. Unfortunately, at times, they seem to be part of a dying breed. But Talib Kweli, the other half of Black Star is such an MC. After being in the shadow of the charismatic Mos Def, Talib defines himself as an artist in his own right with his debut, Reflection Eternal. Talib has an invaluable gift; a rapid-fire flow that's extremely audible and easy to follow. His rhymes seem conversational, filled with anecdotal instances, like a friend setting up a great story. His grade school teachers would be proud. Unlike some marble-mouth MCs, Talib learned how to e-nun-ci-ate. So although some of Reflection''s subjects may seem heavy (Black history, activism, politics), the words are smoothly digestible. Hi-Tek proves the dramatic musical backdrop to Talib's honest and revealing rhymes. Horn blasts set off the album on "Experience Dedication," while thumping, larger-than-life production dominates throughout ("Move Something" and "This Means You"). Even the tracks that deviate most from Hi-Tek's signature crisp, grandiose beats give this set its depth. A few such standouts are "Too Late," with its unusual world-music vibe and multi-layered instrumentation, and the ethereal, organic bumps of "The Blast" and "Love Language." The latter contains Talib's exploration of the fundamental emotional differences between men and women, and observations about romantic frustrations that seem more first person than third.... Much of Talib's lyrical content revolves around attacking and mentally intimidating wack MCs, of whom he's particularly wary ... Ghostwriting requests aside, Talib might as well get used to the jealousy and envy. After all, who wouldn't want to be a thinking-person's MC? - The Source (December, 2000). Train of Thought was a phenomenal release on Rawkus Records. Dig it.

Two page advertisement and full review in The Source (12/00)...