4/5
Even with album delays, The Game is still playing.
The long-awaited, eagerly anticipated 'The R.E.D. Album' and the Game's official Aftermath Records return may still be waiting on a certified release, but in the meantime the 'Doctor's Advocate' continues to release high quality material in a vast volume. After three stellar mixtapes last year,('The R.E.D. Tape', 'The Red Room' and 'Brake Lights') Chuck Taylor laces up his rap skills once again for 'Purp & Patron'. A 26 strong tape, consisting of mostly original production and some prescriptions from the good Dr. Dre. If that wasn't enough DJ Skee and The Game also have brought out, 'Purp & Patron: The Hangover'. A collection of B-sides that are good enough to make most rappers studio albums and careers. Game and Skee, show they are on no downward skid, despite album push backs. With the 'Purp & Patron' series the Game proves it's no headache making album worthy material for free.
PURP & PATRON
On a classic cocktail and potent mix of tracks on this tape, Jayceon Taylor once again rules the game with a high-standard release. He brings round shot after shot of hip-hop talents, from the fresh and new (Lil' Wayne and Rick Ross) to the fine wine, old-school (KRS One and Doug E. Fresh). Resulting in a selection of tracks that age well in the beginning of a release date starved 2011.
The Game starts the show and stops the press with 'L.A. Times', a broad and bold track that's as accessible for the streets as newspaper vendors. Then he joins fellow Los Angeles king, Snoop Dogg and his regular collaborator, Pharrell for 'In My 64', a laid-back, low-riding scorcher for those hot, California rides. After great collaborations like 'Red Magic', The Game once again gets gangster with Lil' Wayne before 'The R.E.D. Album' for the whistle along, catchy, classic 'Soo Woo'. It gets even harder on the mixtapes title track and 'R.I.P. Story' where the Compton rhymer gets even tougher going it alone.
The Game has that unique ability of sounding fresh even when working with raw materials and subject matter. He whips up more flash with long-time collaborator, Fabolous on the slick 'Ferrari Lifestyle' and then drives round the block again to show off with the punchline rapper for 'Whip It'. He also sends another nod of homage to the old school with his own 'Children's Story', which also takes it back to the 'Lodi Dodi' days.
The Game gets with one-time G-Unit nemesis, Ashanti for 'Soft Rhodes', a single worthy cut that they murder with their respective trademark inks. If that wasn't enough, Game tattoo's his signature sound on many Dre beats and piano lines, also unleashing his own 'Bad Intentions' for good vibrations. The California beach boy even reaches out to the rock world once again with friend Travis Barker for 'Can The Drummer Get Some' which also features Swizz Beatz on the production and ab-libs. Still Game shows most of this hard work and on the track 'Wonderful World' we see how all of Game's work has paid off. All in all, even with 25 plus tracks The Game brings a concise effort of classic sounding material for the over 21 audience. As this hood Hollywood star gets cinematic, it's time he received a round of applause for all his hard work and more notable dedication to his game of hip-hop.
PURP & PATRON: THE HANGOVER
This collection of B-sides flips out with the title track, opener. Over fluid production, The Game flows perfectly for another high point on an alcohol induced, headache of big,. diverse sounds. This tape may be full of tracks that made the cutting room floor, but nothing is throw-away or hazy about 'Purp & Patron: The Hangover'. In fact in some ways the tape is even better than the original. It is cooler and more concise, even if the main tape is bordering on classic status.
'The Hangover' awakens the best track off the two sets and one of The Game's career best. The smooth, flowful, 'California' is a West-Coast classic where The Game rides the beat with a laid back but determined flow. As the track changes up half-way through it also steps it up, becoming more complete. On 'Young Stunna' Taylor exhibits electricity with the number one stunner, Birdman. Then on 'Violin', The Game gets his Vannessa Mae on, proving he can spit classic lines and styles over any instrument.
The Aftermath rapper gets introspective on the deep 'Lost' and then finds some common, chart-worthy ground with producer Timbaland on 'Get Familiar'. Showing more love for the old-school, The Game also brings more classic sounds up to date for his own original records. Searching for the right sound, the rapper samples some A Tribe Called Quest breaks for the standout, 'This Way'.
The music doesn't stop there however, The Game gets in your face with David Banner for '3D' and then brings yet another 'Mega Mix' of rap talent for Young Chris' siren sounding, bell-ringing 'Philly'. With The Game on the line, finishing up he is joined by raps most outstanding, energetic personalities ad-libs and hypes him, as Busta Rhymes provides The Game with the perfect assist on, 'Undefeated'. A winning track at the buzzer, as time is called on this mixtape. The West-Coast king proves he's still a champion, like the Los Angeles Lakers. As his collection of unused tracks are so good, most rappers would love to have them at their disposal for their own official albums.
That's the thing about these two mixtapes, these songs are so good they are worthy of being full-length, official releases. There is still quality control here as their are no duds or tracks worthy of dodging here from the L.A. king who rides on dubs. These two, original, literal long-players show two things. One being that with their free release, this artists generosity is matched by none. While the second being that if these strokes of the brush are just sketches, how great will this artists work be when he finally paints 'The R.E.D. Album'? Still, until then we have a lot of great music from The Game to enjoy as he shows these two collections really are more than just an album. In more ways then one, The Game has won. TIM DAVID HARVEY.
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