Redman is back with a mad attack for the New Year. 'Doc's Da Name', Redman's 4th album, is a great demonstration of Reggie Noble's (a.k.a Redman) individual skill. He is a member of the former EPMD and the current Def Squad. This album is yet another jem from the man known for his crazy antics. But this album teems with maturity and with a new style, a bit tighter and more defined, like a crisp hundred dollar bill. Redman recruited a team of big name artists for this album including Meth, Busta, and his Def Squad buds, Keith Murray & Erick Sermon. However, I found his no-name featured artists played a bigger role on this album. (Watch out for Roz - she's got a molicule-splitting voice).
My favorite song, "D.O.G.S.", a laid-back, funk-tinged, indo-laced track that pumps the 'DOGS' chorus that is untouchably catchy. Sampling straight the God of Funk himself, George Clinton's "Atomic Dog", this song is a definite Dogg anthem. "I'll Be Dat", the first single, has got a catchy backbeat, and shows demonstration of Redman's confidence in his style. It's the only song off the album produced by the little-known Rockwilder, and he's definitely got mad production skills. "Cloze Ya Doorz", is an amazing song, lyrically, it's blazin'. It introduces many no-name artists who've got serious skills. Most notible is Roz who provides the introductory verses. "Cloze Ya Doorz" puts out a great quote: 'You ain't my friend, cause when I'm around, you be quiet. But when I leave, you be talkin again.' Watch out for Redman's life on "Da Da DaHHH".
Overall, I enjoyed this album. There were a few bland songs, but the rest of the album thoroughly made up for that. Most notable were Redman's skits: On most albums, you skip over the skits, cause they're just dumb or stupid, but Redman's skits kick ass!! (Watch out for the Ghetto Psychic Network.) And you'll get a great piece of advice: If someone comes into your place of employment armed with a gun and asks you who's in charge, make sure that you say that he/she is in charge. Here's a little poetry to end my review
Don't wait til fall,
To check this album out.
Well that's all,
I'm out.
www.brockwayent.com
(Originally posted on HipHopCanada.com)
This review was written January 8, 1999