| Reviews Reviews are based on a point system. 1=speed bump material, 10=masterpiece |
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| Warren G- Return Of The Regulator: West Coast rapper Warren G has had mixed luck since "Regulate," his first hit back in 1994, but as this album's title hints, he's back on form here, with a superb mix of romantic rhyming and gangsta rapping. He reunites with original 213 bandmates Snoop Dogg and Nate Dogg on the decidedly old-school "Yo' Sassy Ways," while George Clinton makes an appearance on "Speed Dreamin'," a heady mix of P-Funk and West Coast rap. "Young Locs Slow Down" is a warning to would-be gangstas that their lifestyle won't last long, while "It Ain't Nothing Wrong With You," where G's joined by Boss Hogg and Butch Cassidy, is a litany of X-rated romantic conquests. There's a sentimental recollection of his roots on "Ghetto Village," set to the tune of Stevie Wonder's "Village Ghetto Land," while El DeBarge contributes his typically sensual, romantic vocals to the album's final cut, "Keepin' it Strong." 8.75 OUT OF 10 |
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| Wu Tang Clan's last album "The W", did not have a large commercial sale, in my opinion do to the lack of quality and the abundance of guest appearances. I was expecting another straight hip-hop album but from the first track [in the hood] I was straight amazed by the scratching and total digital style of Iron Flag. RZA's influence as a producer on this album shows in the amount of vocals he does on the album, and the clean crisp digital sound Bobby Digital [RZA] is known for. "You Have Been Warned" is one of the funkiest songs this year and the beat on this song is banannas! Overall this is a AMAZING album. Many different sounds from track one through twelve. An awesome dozen of digital hip-hop songs finely produced and engineered to a perfect new Wu Tang sound, proving without a doubt that Wu Tang is one of the illest groups. The lack of O.D.B. [old dirty bastard] really doesn't effect the album, it still has a definite Wu Tang Clan sound. Overall a must have for any true Wu fan. 9.75 OUT OF 10 |
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| Though Havoc and Prodigy, the east coast duo known as Mobb Deep, have been famed since the mid-1990s as one of the most intense, powerful outfits on the hardcore gangsta rap scene, they've never resorted to in-your-face delivery or over-the-top production. In a sonic tradition continued on INFAMY, the two heavyweight rappers prefer to take a deadpan approach to their delivery of unrelenting, gritty lyrics that describe the thug life with detail and candor. Likewise, the production eschews party-hearty jeep beats for a subtle, often almost seductive sound that finds room for lilting female vocals, R&B grooves, and twinkling keyboard atmospheres. While INFAMY finds Mobb Deep losing none of their signature lyrical fire, neither have they lost the ability to make their message more palatable via some exceptional production skills. Jay Z recieves subtle yet vicious disses from the Mobb, so this beef is not dying down any time soon. Mobb Deep with a R&B twist is not what many were expecting from them, and it will probably scare away hardcore Mobb fans, but it may also entice new listeners to take a walk with Infamy. 8 OUT OF 10 |