REVIEW: RINGO STARR - LOOK UP

3.5/5

Country Starr 

A little bit of country from the rock and roll star. The Beatles' legendary drummer Ringo Starr asks you to take a 'Look Up' with his new LP. Just a calendar and change after his 'Rewind Forward' extended play that saw him reunite with Paul McCartney, like the new 'Now and Then' song from the entire Fab Four. This is Sir Richard Starkey's twenty-first solo album, and first full length since 2019's 'What's My Name', on the long and winding road of the eighty-four years young singer/songwriter and skin man for the three other lads from Liverpool.

Yet, going well across The Mersey, Ringo (which here in Japan means, "Apple", like that iconic green logo one, mister) gets by with a little bit of help from his friends in Nashville, Tennessee. Because, forget his 21st for a second, this is Starr's very first country album. Moving swiftly with a tip of the cowboy hat across genres as he truly becomes a country star, with 'Look Up' and the titular lead single to titillate all of those whose Lennon and McCartney is Waylon and Willie. Dear John once joked, that Ringo Starr wasn't even the best drummer in The Beatles, when asked if he was the best roller in the world, but now, he's definitely the best country and western singer of the fabulous four. All the way down to the rhinestone black and white album artwork that is instantly iconic like 'Photograph'. Choosing love and peace again, who cares if he sings out of tune? All you need is what he chooses. What else would you do?

Epic, like another record label. Especially with the somebodies like the head of the pack Molly Tuttle (the lead 'Look Up Single', standout statement 'I Live For Your Love', yearning ode 'Can't You Hear Me Call' and 'String Theory' with Larkin Poe), Billy Strings himself (on the 'Breathless' opening, beautiful ballad 'Never Let Me Go' and the stone-cold 'Rosetta' (also with Poe)), Lucius (pleading 'Come Back') and the legendary Alison Krauss, planting the 'Thankful' dedicated closer. Dialled to eleven tracks like Spinal Tap, even when the legend goes it alone with 'Time On My Hands' ("I turned my collar up/Kept my eyes turned down/I walked the empty streets/The blue side of town") and 'You Want Some' in this lavish landscape you really do, as Ringo shows and proves he has another note to him. Just like the time he stepped from the skin to lead the ship with the biggest song pumping out of the 'Yellow Submarine' not named after the oceanic vehicle itself.

Original tracks like the outstanding artist himself is, you'll find no records from the great American country songbook here...even though Starr adds a couple of his own himself. You won't find Ringo taking 'Jolene' from Dolly Parton, like that "b####" that Beyoncé threatened did the '9 to 5' singer's man. As a matter of fact, with a nod to 'Cowboy Carter', this first big name release of the New Year is the best country step since the 'Beyoncé Bowl' of Netflix and the NFL's Christmas Day gridiron games. Lassoing a cymbal crash of a cinematic campfire legend, co-written by the iconic T Bone Burnett, Starr puts the pedal to the metal, as he gazes up above at the stories told by the two sticks he rubs together. Alas, peace, love and understanding are never far from his mind, and what's wrong with that like fellow Liverpudlian Elvis Costello? We can all sing along to the lasting lyrics of, "Look up/In the midnight hour/Look up/Love is the higher power/Keep your eyes on the skies/Don't look down on the shadow town/Look up." Something we can all look up to and towards in 2025. Happy New Year! TIM DAVID HARVEY.

Playlist Picks: 'Look Up (Feat. Molly Tuttle)', 'I Live For Your Love (Feat. Molly Tuttle)', 'Thankful (Feat. Alison Krauss)'.

Spin This: Ringo Starr - 'Rewind Forward (EP)'

REVIEW: REDMAN - MUDDY WATERS TOO

4/5

Still Muddy Waters Run Deep 

Dumb and dumber, too? Nah! Never that. "I flip modes and rampage your zip codes", Redman raps on 'Da F### Goin' On' after his 'MW2 Welcome'. Referencing Busta Rhymes' Flipmode Squad and its Rampage member, as the Funk Doc' goes on his own one to begin the sequel to his 1996 classic named after a blues legend. 'Muddy Waters Too' is Reggie Noble's first album since 2015's 'Mudface' a decade ago. And it really is a noble effort. The best classic sequel, slash comeback album since Busta's (his 'Dragon Season' is upon us) 'ELE 2', AKA 'Extinction Level Event 2: The Wrath Of God', in 2020 of all years. Now, sitting at the classic cover's desk again, Redman is not caked in muddy overalls. Instead, that iconic scowl in the room, under the beanie and same sunglasses, is joined by a much better television set and bags of money and papers on the floor. Kicking it under his Timbs, as he leans on that desk with the flower in a pot, like the wallpaper that surrounds him.

Christmas may have come late, this New Year, with this review of an album that came out on the night before Christmas, when everyone else was worrying about Eve's festive photo (I was killing it, watching 'Squid Game 2'), but the sequel to 'Muddy Waters' has plenty to unwrap like your Spotify playlist and dig up. Even feeling like the diirty 'Malpractice' that really smashed something, with the way these intros and short tracks give way to skits (a hilarious Barack Obama impression by Affion Crockett ("FACTS!") replacing his 'Jerry Swinger Stickup') and the best superhero alive. The dualling parts to 'Soopaman Lover 7' featuring Mélanie Rutherford and a fictional Michelle Obama becoming his Lois Lane. This 32-track affair also features some of the biggest names in the business. Putting the heart paddles to hip-hop when the genre sorely needs it. Reuniting with 'How High' partner Method Man, after their own 'Blackout! 2' sequel, for one of the best tracks and samples on the album, 'Lalala'. Not to mention the best posse cut you've heard in years, and MC Lyte's own return had a monster one, last year, on 'Lite It Up'.

Smoking with fellow rap legends Naughty By Nature and sweet sixteen's from Artifacts, Channel Live, Heather B., Lady Luck, Lords of the Underground, Nikki D and Flipmode's own Rah Digga. Not to mention the return of the queen and great 'Equalizer', Queen Latifah, and NBA, Los Angeles Lakers legend, who can actually rap (and that wasn't a slight at the late, great Kobe Bryant), Shaquille O'Neal, still carrying on his own beef with fellow Superman, Dwight Howard, tugging his cape on what was Twitter. Legendary DJ Kid Capri and the one and only Faith Evans help Red become a 'Hoodstar'. Whilst the Boogie Down Productions of the iconic KRS-One say 'Looka Here'. Elsewhere, a 'Dynomite', like J.J. (word to Chappelle, and a cool Rhymefest shout out), Sheek Louch locks it down. And Snoop Dogg, on his own classic comeback this Christmas with the Dr. Dre 'Missionary' (no, not like that) condom wrapper (seriously), rolls up 'Kush' with the Diggy Doc, like the Doggfather and Dre's own single with Akon.

Oran "Juice" Jones II lights up both 'Whuts Hot', 'Gheddo Motivation' and more need for Grammarly than my reviews demselves. And Ke Turner gets just as 'Goofy' until '1 O'Clock'. Mr. Cream and Runt Dawg also show up on 'Why U Mad'. For an album from an outcast that is so fresh and so clean, going hard all the way to the epic end of 'Smoke With Me', with no tail-off as it clears. All for the man defying age at 54. Coming out of the gates for Brick City, with straight smash singles like 'Jersey', 'Don't Wanna C Me Rich', in bathtubs of moolah, and the new anthem 'I'm On Dat Bullsh!t' in all its exclamation. New Jersey's best boss since Springsteen, is in the hood house like his classic episode of MTV Cribs (which he references), has a vendetta, like his classic video game character, with all these def jams. 'Ignant', 'Uncle Quilly' and 'Pop Da Trunk'. 'Don't You Miss' him? 'Aye!'. The old 'Wave' is back as new rappers mumble on stranger things like the Diddy case. And all of those punks are now 'Stung' like Redman's classic hidden camera prank show with Method Man (we still can't forget how they frog marched Ludacris). Lick a 'Booyaka Shot' for the man who raps "Sawed off shotgun, now you see 'em havin' a blast" over Rockwilder beats, like his hands were still on the pump, puffing on a blunt. 'Wudeytauknbout', Willis? A sequel to a classic that feels like one itself. Get back in the mud. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

Playlist Picks: 'Da F### Goin' On', 'Lalala (Feat. Method Man),' 'I'm On Dat Bullsh!t'.

Spin This: Redman - 'Muddy Waters'

REVIEW: SZA - LANA ('SOS' Deluxe Reissue)

4/5

Sza Sister

Last Christmas, I gave Boston my heart. Spending time in a deserted Beantown, the only Laker fan in the city rocking an ugly purple and gold sweater...but that's another story. Walking down a frozen Newbury Street, the same time the Celtics cracked the whip on all the King's men, the only thing frostier would have been the icy reception I would have received if there was actually anybody about. I was there before meeting my parents in New York for New Year. The only other person rocking basketball garb was, wait for it...in a Los Angeles Laker tracksuit. My man. The biggest draw of the street was billboards for R&B renaissance woman SZA's Grammy winning (best prog R&B) album 'SOS'. It's iconic album artwork above the sea. Not to mention the same football uniform on the next project for your consideration, the deluxe edition of this classic tilted 'Lana'. Already long-delayed and eagerly-awaited to drop at this point last year, the writing on the wall was already starting to fade, as the poster began to peel.

Call off the SOS! Because, like a Rey of light, 'Lana' is finally here. And this revelation of a reissue that is actually an album in itself has come just in time for Christmas, and hopefully the New Year's Grammy consideration. No need to press CTRL-ALT-DELETE, even if it was delayed this New Music Friday and the last one before the shopping spree of December 25th. Driven by the second single and R.E.M. like opening of 'Drive', automatic for the people. Featuring 'Meet The Parents' and Knickerbocker number one fan (after Spike), Ben Stiller taking the wheel and the lip-syncing of a new music video, the same time he's driving to a new home in rural Ohio for his Hulu and Disney Plus Christmas movie, 'Nutcracker'. At the end of this road, however, he finds the formidable figure of SZA in a mask that won't be alien to you through the trees of something sensationally haunting in album art.

SZA is to modern R&B what RZA and the Wu-Tang are the children, and legendary hip-hop. And after all the stars including Boygenius Phoebe Bridgers, Travis Scott and the late, great Ol' Dirty Bastard saved our souls, frequent collaborator Kendrick Lamar (with the own surprise drive of his 'GNX' album) hits '30 For 30', in a highlight for an album whose own making is worthy of its own ESPN documentary. Or movie, like the standout 'Scorsese Baby Daddy'. Absolute cinema. Right from the coming out party of the opening offset, 'No More Hiding', to the closing circle of lead single 'Saturn', SZA is here and out of this world, all at the same time. Damn! This is all so fine. After the 'SOS' follow-up was dangling precariously over that diving board for some time, we no longer want to be saved. We're jumping all the way in.

The best 'Lana' since Lizzy Grant is not just a bounty of beautiful bonus tracks. It's a real record in its own right. Call it a fantastic follow-up. The third charm of an album after the 'Ctrl' singer's sensational sophomore set and act. The arch of St Louis' best talent since Nelly is right heere and terrific. Forget the fifteen-hour delay, mixes like this live on for eternity...or at least 'Another Life' for our generation still grateful for actual albums in the age of streaming. Sure, I'm gushing, and I need to 'Chill baby', but so is the 'Crybaby'. Giving it you raw on 'What Do I Do' ("Last night, you called on accident/Heard you f####n' on the other end/It's too late, it'll never be the same again/Too late, never be the same."), save your tears, cheaters. We've all been there on that kind of receiving end, even if we don't know it. So what are you gonna do?

A newly minted and engaged Benny Blanco produced that track. And when the 'DTM' of 'Diamond Boy' shines bright too, you'll see that there are only murderers in the studio, killing it and building like Selena Gomez as the marauder to midnight like a Tribe. On this quest for infamy, the iconic SZA also drops 'BMF' (and it's 'The Girl From Ipanema' stunning sample) like it hot (it is). Before demanding, like everybody in their right mind should, to 'Love Me 4 Me'. "I remember wanting a diamond ring/Wanted you to define me, I let you pay for everything/Why not?/Treated me like a slave/Promise you I’ll behave if you let me try again/For you, I'd change my name/For you, I'd kill my fame/For you, I'd be so different, won't recognize my face/Can't wait to go to my grave for you/All I'd care for you, you never saw me for me/Saw me for me, loved me for me." The rhythm and blues songbook just got great. The only thing missing from this BTS Hyde Park Summer hyped album is 'Joni', like Mitchell.

It's '(Her) Turn' now as we get behind here like an inspired interlude that feels as much like a real track as this feels like a legit LP. Solána Imani Rowe keeps the party going like those in the 'Kitchen' singing, "Dancing and kissing, the kitchen/Makes me forget, I forgive him/Mama told me I don't listen, back again/Crashing out on shrooms, I guard them/Cursing you solves all my problems/Vacationing in rock bottom, back again." When 'Lana' is cut together with the soul saving sensation 'SOS', you have a definitive double album with all eyez on it. Not to mention lent ears. Doing her peers proud, the Instagram postscript that was written becomes gospel. We are no longer teased, but patience has become a virtue. What else can we expect from somebody who wrote a century worth of songs over the last half decade to well and truly get this right? A yoga like mediation that shaped itself sporadically into the right frequency like Kenneth. Coming out of hiding, camouflaged in cargo and nature. Now 'Lana' is finally here like a tunnel under Ocean Blvd, the calendar is complete. Time for SZA to swim in that success. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

Playlist Picks: 'Drive', 'Scorsese Baby Daddy', '30 For 30 (Feat. Kendrick Lamar)'.

Spin This: SZA - 'SOS'.

DOCUMENTARY REVIEW: RETURN OF THE KING - THE FALL AND RISE OF ELVIS PRESLEY

4/5

Elvis Has Reentered The Building

91 Mins. Starring: Elvis Presley, Priscilla Presley, Bruce Springsteen, Billy Corgan, Darlene Love, Conan O'Brien & Baz Luhrmann. Director: Jason Hehir. On: Netflix.

Call it a comeback! The King is back. In a fond fall time for music documentaries focussing on specific periods of time in some of the radio's biggest star's lives this Christmas, Netflix give us 'Return Of The King-The Fall And Rise Of Elvis Presley'. Directed by Jason Hehir ('The Last Dance' of the legendary Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls), and looking for more like 'The Searcher', 'The Fall And Rise Of Elvis Presley' looks at the time his all-leather comeback special got people all shook up like The Beatles on The Ed Sullivan Show. They show up too, like The King does on their latest Disney documentary 'Beatles '64', about the time they took America by a storm of love and sea change after the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. Just like Elton John's own 'Never Too Late' time capsule, also on Disney Plus, looks back on fond friendships with the likes of John Lennon and Andy Warhol.

Legends never die. The neon name of ELVIS in big, bold, red letters is celebrated in testimonials by 'Elvis' (epic) director Baz Luhrmann, not to mention his wife, Priscilla Presley, who got to tell her side of the story with Sofia Coppola's 'Priscilla' (powerful). Soul singer Darlene Love stirs more of Presley's proud roots in black music. Whilst, also along for the ride, The Smashing Pumpkins' Billy Corgan, Late Night host Conan O'Brien, and 'The Boss' Bruce Springsteen (who once stormed the gates of Graceland for an audience with The King...that he didn't get), also offer their profound voices to the proceedings. Just like there is much prose on Presley (like 'Elvis and the Colonel', or 'The Gospel Side Of Elvis'), this is another great film to add to the vault. All as Netflix continue their run like Vegas, after last year's 'Agent Elvis' animation (voiced perfectly by Matthew McConaughey), after The King once dreamt of solving crimes on the side. But in this fall and rise of the house of Elvis, let's remember his wise words about life that we shouldn't sleep on. About surrounding yourself with the right people, the one girl, that will make you feel happiness. No matter how long it takes (like it should). For there is no encore.

Featuring footage from the engrossing Elvis comeback special, that began awash with nerves, but ended in the charm and charisma of a God, this documentary special is definitive, adding to Netflix's many docs that are more masterful than their movies (but we won't 'Carry-On' with all that (we literally did it yesterday) as we may as well treat Netflix like a TV channel and not a company these days). This true story of triumph comes just a few years after 'Beatles '64' in 1968, when the Fab Four were playfully shaking like him when drawing comparisons in press conferences by American media. But these four Pelvises loved The King and even nervously sat down for dinner with him, Paul McCartney even relaying a message of how much Elvis meant to them, as he couldn't find the ways to whisper it to the throne at the head of the table. The 'Return Of The King' like a 'Lord Of The Rings' has many a meaningful and mesmerizing story like that. Featuring the fall with Colonel Parker side lining the actual (who made more than Steve McQueen like a James Dean) actor into Old McDonald type movies, to his phoenix like rise and return in hell for leather. He never really left the building. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

Further Filming: 'Elvis', 'Agent Elvis', 'Beatles '64'.

DOCUMENTARY REVIEW: ELTON JOHN - NEVER TOO LATE

4/5

The Bitch Is Late

103 Mins. Starring: Elton John, Bernie Taupin, Dua Lipa & John Lennon. Directors: R.J. Cutler & David Furnish. On: Disney +.

In the same week that 'Rocketman' Taron Edgerton gives us some 'Carry-On' for Netflix (with no sign of Sid James), Sir Elton John unpacks his long, winding road tour bag, as he continues to say 'Farewell Yellow Brick Road' on streaming services. Following his live look at his last, bejewelled swing in Shohei's house ('Elton John Live: Farewell From Dodger Stadium'), Disney Plus give us their new Elton John documentary 'Never Too Late', in conjunction with and leading up to that showstopper. The final frames playing out the same in this special directed by good friend R.J. Cutler in interview and husband David Furnish. Reminding us why the bitch won't be back. Giving it all up for the greater good of what really matters. When you see Reg interact with his children on Facetime, reaching to call your own, you'll understand. When you see his radio show with Furnish (feeling strange about today's use of the word "queer")  give a stage to kids bands coming up and of age, you'll fall in love with this Sir, all over again.

This Billy Joel besting piano man can rival all the Disney documentaries touring their way through your watchlists right now. The 'Thank You, Goodnight' Bon Jovi story miniseries. Fellow Jersey boy Bruce Springsteen and his E Street Band's 'Road Diary'. 'Never Too Late', stepping in, right before Christmas, is the perfect accompaniment to the big-three of his live movie, the 'Rocketman' biopic, and the 'ME' autobiography, also Audiobook read to us by his MARV 'Kingsman' sequel co-star Eggsy, Egerton. Just like when John broke America like Beatlemania, after taking the Troubadour (captured compellingly in cinema), with five albums in the chart in one calendar (what a time to really be alive), 'Never Too Late' even rivals the new Martin Scorsese produced 'Beatles '64' doc on Disney. 'Too Late' also takes us deeper into Elton's working relationship and wonderful friendship with the late, great John Lennon. Taking the stage with the other dear John for what ended up being his last time in concert. 

Animated, like many of this movie's artistic and beautiful way of telling backstory, Elton John Lennon get up to plenty of mischief as these pop stars recall a time pop artist Andy Warhol and that camera he carried everywhere came knocking at their hotel door. This year's Glastonbury headliner Dua Lipa also shows up in this show, as the two duet over the Elton mash-up of 'Cold Heart' interspersed with 'Rocket Man'. This long, long time, gives it up for the real co-star of this show, however, in songwriter Bernie Taupin. The man he loved more than love itself (nothing sexual), as the songwriting pair matched-up to Lennon and McCartney, lyric line for lyric line. Like '64', 'Never Too Late' looks at the time Reg Dwight came to America like Neil Diamond. Detailing his success, but also the sobering story of his descent into drugs. Not to mention how the rockets red's glare reacted to him coming out. And you thought America's resistance to the "long hair" of the Fab Four was bad. This Walt Disney and Rocket Entertainment epic, that made its debut at the Toronto Film Festival in September, is never one to miss. 'Goodbye Yellow Brick Road: The Final Elton John Performances and the Years That Made His Legend' may have been too long a title, but don't be too late for this. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

Further Playing: 'Elton John Live: Farewell From Dodger Stadium', 'Road Diary: Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band', 'Beatles '64'.

REVIEW: DMX - LET US PRAY: CHAPTER X

4/5

Put Your Hands Together 

It's hard to believe it has been over three years since the passing of Earl Simmons. It's even harder to take the fact that he's gone. For the first time since DMX's 2021 posthumous 'Exodus' (featuring everyone from Alicia Keys to Bono of U2), the dog is back. Yet this album is no, life after death, vault raiding, cynical cash-grab. X's latest serves more like an EP that will remind you of the album made out of the late, great Tupac Shakur's poetry, 'The Rose That Grew From Concrete'. The man that sometimes resembles 'Pac in prayer has his words with God turned into an inspirational set that says, 'Let Us Pray' for 'Chapter X' of the legacy of a legend who will never ever really die in time. And then there was X again.

From the 1998 double Def Jam definition of 'It's Dark and Hell Is Hot' and 'Flesh Of My Flesh, Blood Of My Blood', to the unanimous 'Undisputed' end. Not to mention all the Ruff Ryding '...And Then There Was X', 'The Great Depression', 'Grand Champ' and 'Year Of The Dog...Again' in-between, D's dominant discography was always curtain concluded with a prayer up to the most-high. Him to He. And now these words are immortalized once more in song. Featuring the beautiful backing of the RoyzNoyz Orchestra, all the way to the instrumental end of this four-track, doubled-up and down to become an eighth wonder. The hip-hop mix of jazz and soul with greats Lena Byrd Miles and a 'Sweeter' Terrace Martin also join X with Killer Mike, Lecrae ('Bear With Me') the 'Shackles' of a stirring Mary Mary. Not to forget legends like the great MC Lyte (fresh off of September's '1 Of 1') and Snoop Dogg who also assumes the 'Missionary' position this New Music Friday with his first Dr. Dre album since the 30-year-old 'Doggystyle'.

Snoop sent so much according to Grammy winning songwriter and producer Warryn Campbell who curated this set that marks the spot of X's formidable fortress of faith. Breathing new life into the raw and real words of an honest and heartfelt man of God...and the world that made him. A monologue mediation of life and death, the ultimate posthumous album does E.A.R.L. proud. From the first 'Favor', 'Until I'm Gone', Simmons shimmers instead of simmers like the perfect pose on the classic cover. The real album art comes with 'One Life To Do It', mind you, as DMX and Campbell show how he did it. "Begging for direction for my soul needs resurrection/I don't deserve what You've given me, but You never took it from me/'Cause I am grateful, and I use it, and I do not worship money/If what You want from me is to bring Your children to You, my regret is only having one life to do it instead of two." And as Lyte says, "I'm gonna stand with you, D, on that one, right here, right now, I agree", we believe in that too. Now, maybe this all means that the original intended double rap and gospel album of 'Walk With Me Now and You’ll Fly With Me Later' will finally see the light of day and the glory of God. Let it be. Then our prayers will truly be answered by God and the dog. Chapter and verse. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

Praylist Picks: 'Favor (Feat. Killer Mike, Mary Mary & RoyzNoyz Orchestra)', 'One Life To Do It (Feat. MC Lyte & RoyzNoyz Orchestra)', 'Until I'm Gone (Feat. Lena Byrd Miles, Snoop Dogg & Terrace Martin)'.

Spin This: 2Pac - 'The Rose That Grew From Concrete'

REVIEW: SNOOP DOGG - MISSIONARY

4/5

The New Position

"The East Coast ain't got no love for Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg and Death Row?!" Ever since Snoop Dogg claimed his new electric chair throne as the head honcho of Death Row Records, he's been charged. Releasing albums at an alarming clip. In 2022, after many indies, the 'Drop It Like It's Hot' rapper released 'BODR' to celebrate being back on Death Row. And in the same year, he aligned with the West's best of Ice Cube, E-40 and Too $hort to form the West Coast supergroup Mount Westmore, carving up the competition with their album 'Snoop Cube 40 $hort'. Now, repackaged and ribbed for your aural pleasure, he returns with the condom cover of 'Missionary'. Converting all those who flipped the switch on him, as he reunites with 'The Chronic' of Dr. Dre, producing his first full Snoop Doggy Dogg album since the dynamic debut and stone-rollin' hip-hop classic 'Doggystyle'. Back in fashion on its 30th anniversary and assuming the position with no more "delicate" beats. Forget the Vaseline, lubricated like latex, a month after Ice Cube's 'Man Down'.

Coming out of deep cover, hip-hop has taken some hits this year. That's what happens when some of its biggest stars and pioneers turn out to be bigger d###s than the first letter of their names. Lucky for us, like Kendrick, Snoop and Dre are not like them. As a matter of fact, 'Missionary' and the short-film to come (reminding us of the joint they lit in the convenience store before their 'Up In Smoke' tour), is as much a Dr. Dre album as a Dogg-gone one. Some are dubbing this as a collaborative album and it almost feels like one. Much like when Jay-Z (erm) appeared on the last Jay Electronica album. Or, more appropriately, when Wu-Tang Clan members Raekwon and Ghostface Killah traded 'Lynx' and 'Wallets'. Better yet, when Calvin Broadus appeared on Andre Young's 'Chronic'. Murder is the case again, with only killers in the building, as Dre mans the boards of this sweet sixteen track album. Also adding a couple of those to tracks like the M.I.A. 'Paper Planes' and Lisa Stansfield (she's set for life with the hip-hop community and 'Been Around The World' and "I, I, I") sampling single 'Outta Da Blue' (with Alus), 'Pressure' (featuring K.A.A.N.), and 'Now Or Never' (assisted by BJ (stay away from Diddy) The Chicago Kid), rapping out of retirement. A year off 60, but not playing with flutes like another 'dre, the good doctor still has it.

Bowling us over even more than their Super Bowl half-time show (as legendary as Lamar is, that's quite a legacy to follow this year), this is the first time Snoop and Dre have laid down tracks together since Dr. Dre's cinematic 'Compton', a sign of the Hollywood hip-hop times that saw Snoop rap like a man possessed on 'One Shot One Kill'. With no sign of 'Detox', the boys are still at it like the 'Kush' they rolled up with Akon, when Dogg rapped, "still I am/tighter than the jeans on Will.i.am", which is still a crazily underrated rhyme. On the same New Music Friday that Snoop lends his voice to the DMX posthumous prayer album 'Let Us Pray: Chapter X' (think 2Pac's 'The Rose That Grew From Concrete'), he brings many big names to the city of stars and lost angels here. The Chicago Kid again for some 'Fore Play' (we won't say anything again about this big swing), Jhené Aiko on the 'Gorgeous' second single. Method Man and Smitty reaching for 'Skyscrapers'. Cocoa Sarai on 'Fire' and a 'Sticcy Situation' with K.A.A.N. And Dem Jointz, Stalone and Fat Money on the lean of a 'Gangsta Pose'.

Yet the man who has collaborated with everyone from Willie Nelson to Miley Cyrus (when he went by the Snoop Lion animal moniker) saves the best for the latest single, sampling Sting and featuring a member of The Police that N.W.A. won't say "F You" too in 'Another Part Of Me'. Sting will be glad to get this 'Message In A Bottle' after his last rap 'Roxanne' collaboration. Snoop even channels the late, great Tom Petty (alongside man of the moment Jelly Roll) for the heartbreaking 'Last Dance With Mary Jane'. If that wasn't enough, he interpolates Pink Floyd's 'Another Brick In The Wall (Part 2)', with a hammer for the new 'Hard Knock' life. Playing 'The Negotiator' like Soul Dog or Sam Jackson. The biggest and best collabo may just be the Aftermath of the 'Gunz n Smoke' with 50 Cent and Eminem. 50 sounding his best since he was hanging upside down like "go...go..." But on this 'Thank You' like X to the Lord, Snoop Dogg sounds his best when he goes it alone with Dr. Dre in 'Shangri-La'. Rapping, "We 'bout to rewrite history in this motherf#####/Yeah, get high, get high, get high, get high, get high/With some monumental s###/Good mornin', it's Mr. Broadus/The moment finally upon us." Mission accomplished. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

Playlist Picks: 'Outta Da Blue (Feat Dr. Dre & Alus)', 'Another Part Of Me (Feat. Sting)', 'Gunz n Smoke (Feat. 50 Cent & Eminem)'.

Spin This: Snoop Dogg - 'Doggystyle'