Redman Presents..Reggie (Clean) Clean

It's been just short of 4 years since the Funk Doc last released a solo album, and the Brick City native returns with his 7th major solo. On top of that, over the years he has been a part of 4 or so group albums and a large handful of mixtapes. Flash back just about 20 year ago when Redman broke into the rap scene and started a name for himself, a name and persona that would build over the years and eventually lead him to well-known and respected veteran status in the rap game, and breaking that fame into the TV and movie world. This hear, being his 7th album, compared to his others, I'd have to say it's toward the bottom; but don't get any ideas that it means the album isn't quality. Compared to his other releases, he's done better work, but this album still is worthy of a strong 4 star rating. Here is my ratings of his other solo albums:

"Whut: Thee Album" (1992) --- 4 stars
"Dare iz a Darkside" (11/94) - 4.5 stars
"Muddy Waters" (12/96) --- 4.5 stars
"Doc's Da Name" (12/98) --- 4.5/4 stars
"Malpractice" (5/01) --- 4.5/4 stars
"Red Gone Wild" --- (3/07) --- 4/4.5 stars

On top of those I have 4 group albums he's been a Part of (Def Squad's "El Nino" from 6/98, and 3 albums with Method Man: "Blackout!" 1 & 2 and the "How High Soundtrack"), plus he has put out a decent amount of quality mixtapes over the years as well. This one has 13 songs; 1 is a Classic, 1 or maybe 2 that I'd skip over, the other 10-11 are good or real good songs. Guests are on 6 of the 13 tracks, and are mostly his normal guests from the old crew; 4 songs they are rapping on and the other 2 they provide the chorus. Production is on point for the majority of the album, (like he always provides our ears) but has a couple average or sub-par songs on here. 13 different producers each do 1 song: DJ Khalil, Ty Fyffe & Efrain Rodriguez Jr., Tone Mason, J. Rub, Rich Kidd, Rockwilder, The Futuristiks, Fyre Dept., Freak, M. Phazes, Three Sixty, The Audibles, King David, all do a song each. The man continues to show he has talent still in the tank after almost 20 years blessing our ears and drops another album worth checking out.

#1 - 9 (nice beat & has him spitting for 32 bars straight)
#2 - 8
#3 - 6
#4 - 8 (f/ Ready Roc, Runt Dawg, Saukrates -- has one of those annoying auto-tune choruses)
#5 - 5 (worst song on the album)
#6 - 8.5 (f/ Faith Evans)
#7 - 9 (f/ Saukrates, another one of the overused auto-tune choruses -- nice beat)
#8 - 9 (another nice beat)
#9 - 9 (f/ Ready Roc & Melanie Rutherford -- good beat)
#10 - 10 (CLASSIC over a Great beat)
#11 - 8.5 (f/ Method Man & Bun B -- nice beat that sounds like one of the many great, old Nintendo beats)
#12 - 8.5 (f/ Poo Bear -- good beat)
#13 - 9 (Another nice beat)

Reggie Noble -- b. 4/17/70 -- Newark, NJ
Check all my reviews

Overall, I give "Reggie" four stars because Red has evolved. Stop trying to listen for the Redman of the 90's...He's staying relevant and in doing so, remains totally overlooked and underrated...Like another reviewer said, you could put this album on and just go about your business...it's an easy listen...for me, it's putting it on my ipod and running a couple laps...the beats are there...
Anyway, I am no rap or hip-hop officianato...I just always liked Redman's music, his beats, so here goes:

1) Reggie (Intro): A pretty good intro song, nothing fancy...just something to start the blood flowing. 4/5
2) That's Where I Be: A nice beat as Red goes geographic...DJ Kool adds a nice touch...I like that high-pitch sound. 4/5
3) Def Jammable: OK, a statement about the record label, but done tastefully...I like the drum break. 4/5
4) Full Nelson: Man, I know many will disagree with me on this one. My favorite track on "Red Gone Wild" is "Sumthin' for Urrbody." Part of my bias is the collaborative effect. "Full Nelson" uses Ready Roc, Runt Dawg and Saukrates for the same goal. Nice hook. 5/5
5) Lift It Up: I just don't feel it. There's just nothing special. I like hooks and catchy breaks. 2/5
6) All I Do: If the album needs a change of pace, this is the time. I'm no R&B fan, but it is melodic. 3/5
7) Lemme Get 2: I love the (hesitation?) beats, and Saukrates kills it as his bass vocals collaborate well with Red's usual flow. 5/5
8) Mic, Lights, Camera, Action: Really poor lyrics. I wish Red wouldn't get political. 1/5
9) Cheerz: As you might have guessed, too slow for me...But Ready Roc blends in well with Red here and Melanie is spot on. 4/5
10) Rockin' Wit Da Best: "Rock the house, yo!" Now, we're talkin'...The drum beat gets my head bobbin' and Kool Moe Dee adds a touch to boot 5/5
11) Lite 1 Witcha Boi: Full disclosure, I don't smoke...so I can't relate...Typically good Red and Meth collaborative lyrics, but too slow for me 2/5
12) When The Lights Go Off: Where have I heard this sound before? Not bad for a slow song. Sounds a little "forced." 3/5
13) Tiger Style Crane: What's not to like? Great beat, Red sound raw. To me, it sounds like a mixtape track, which is good considering Red puts out awesome mixtapes. Definitely gets the blood flowing. 5/5

OK, I've owned every one of Redman's albums. He's one of the few artists I still try to buy on or near the release date. Of course, it's tough with his albums - the date always gets pushed back months, years it seems!

Relative to all the junk out there, it's not a horrible album, but I might be gracious giving this 3 stars, given what we are used to from Redman. Sadly, you see some sparks of brilliance lyrically at some points, but it just seems like he pieced together an album of a couple of great, but otherwise mediocre tracks. It's sad because Redman, in my opinion, is lyrically one of the best (and funniest) lyricists in the game and generally consistent. You just wonder what he could do, if he put more effort into it. Even the album artwork is last-minute.

And, I'm pretty sure there's not a Supaman Lova track, like he usually features. That's usually one of my favorite trademarks, and he clearly had room on the album.

Redman is one of My greatest M.C."s. This album is good ,but not great like the other ones he put out. But I like the fact that he had the courage to rap from the prospective of his real self and not hiss alter ego REDMAN on this joint. The album is still clever, just not as hyped as an average REDMAN EP.

Redman's new album has thought-provoking lyrics and dance-able beats. Redman is spitting underground hip hop lyrics over mainstream beats, thus creating some kind of club-funk spawn that will smoke all your weed while getting drunk in the club, then go outback to take a piss on the tires of your favorite mainstream rappers Bentley. Don't let the negative reviews throw you...Redman is switching it up here and keeping it fresh instead of doing same ol' same 'ol. You won't find much better rap music in 2010.