Los Angeles, California emcee T.F. enlisting Khrysis to produce his 6th LP. Initially hearing him on “Tookie Knows, Pt. II” off ScHoolboy Q’s magnum opus Blank Face LP, he subsequently dropped his debut EP No Hooks only 7 months later, which was followed up by his full-length album ErThangSkanless & then a 2nd EP called OktoberFest. After appearing on Flee Lord’s 8th EP Hand Me My Flowers produced entirely by Buckwild & put out 2 more EPs on his own, T.F. eventually signed to Lord Mobb Music & put out Blame Kansas produced by both Mephux & Roc Marciano. Over 3 years since the latter, The Green Bottle had already built up more than enough excitement from my perspective due to the singles.
Following the intro, the first song “Ordells Kangol” was a funky soul hybrid to officially start us off talking about taking the whole entire world down not too long after giving it to him whereas “Handle Bars” featuring Flee Lord & Smoke DZA finds the trio bringing it hardcore over a dusty woodwind instrumental. “Get the Money” works in some pianos finding himself trying to do whatever it takes to make some bread while “Lawry’s” soulfully thanks everyone for fuckin’ with him.
Bun B joins T.F. for a homage to former No Limit Records signee “Mr. Serv-On” talking about what it was like for him growing up listening to Da Life Insurance instead of Lil Uzi Vert prior Baccarat Tumblers” featuring Westside Webb very well possibly being the only track during The Green Bottle that I could care less for. “Air Heads” hooks up a chipmunk soul sample explaining that he got the best of both worlds until “What It Is (TGB)” talks about the best kind of love to him.
“Nostalgia” featuring Curren$y sees the pair linking up over a soulfully drumless beat so they can discuss needing a stylist & wistfulness at the exact same time while “Street Lights” heads for a smoother direction to the beat talking about where the street dudes be hangin’ at even in broad daylight. “Line It Up” chops up more soul samples boasts that there ain’t no blemishes on his name how he came up in hip hop while “Runnin’ in Place” returns to the boom bap talking about the machine being in motion. The final song “God Speed” prior to the outro finds himself feelin’ like his success happened overnight.
Bonding over their love of chess helping each other with sobriety, The Green Bottle overcomes the moderate reception 80z Babies & Feelin’ the Powerboth went on to receive with an album I can say with the utmost confidence is the most consistent I’ve heard T.F. since Blame Kansas. Khrysis’ production on this one makes a variation of his soulful funk sound tailored for the west coast lyricist to musically back the stories he has to tell.
Score: 9/10
