Snoop's Blue Carpet Treatment

Snoop works with producers from all over the country on this album including Los Angeles producers DJ Pooh, Soopafly, Battlecat and Fredwreck. On the East Coast Snoop enlisted Virginia producers Timbaland, The Neptunes and Nottz. Even Dr. Dre manages to not only produce two songs (co-production on two additional tracks) he also makes a return to the mic on the song “Imagine” which features the return of neo soul vet, D’Angelo. The producers have created a sound for Snoop that is current and grown up. For real, this album is smooth like Sleepy Brown.

The album has a lot of guests, but oddly enough it does not sound like a compilation album. Snoop has close to half of the West Coast with him on the album including Ice Cube, The Dogg Pound, E-40, The Game, MC Eiht (of CMW), Goldie Loc (of the Eastsiderz), KAM and Inglewood newcomer Damani. Snoop also has the West Coast’s biggest advocate, Los Angeles DJ, Julio G narrating the album. In addition to the rappers Snoop enlists George Clinton (of Parliament/Funkadelic), Damian Marley, Akon, R. (the pervert) Kelly, Jamie Foxx and Stevie Wonder. Let me say it again, Stevie Wonder. The legendary singer adds his voice to the song “Conversations”, which is a good reworking of Stevie’s song “Have A Talk With God”.

Standout songs on the album include the Dr, Dre produced, “Round Here” which flips the Dido song last heard on Eminem’s “Stan”. Snoop comes off with a fast word flipping style on the ultra smooth, “Think About It”. Timbaland creates a menacing bass heavy banger with “Get A Light” featuring Damian Marley. Akon and Snoop create a memorable ode to the good life on “Boss’ Life”.

With 21 tracks there are going to be a couple of songs that you could have done without. The generic stripper anthem, “I Wanna F*** You”, produced by Akon belongs on a mixtape somewhere, but not on this album. Snoop’s duet with Ice Cube “LAX” has a hook that falls short and a beat that does not compare with other Battlecat produced songs on the album.

Tha Blue Carpet Treatment should appeal to the teen and “twenty something” fans as well as the “thirty something” fans that have stuck with him for close to 15 years. There is something for all types of fans, even the kids (sort of). Snoop spends some of his free time coaching and working with his Snoop Football League and the song “Beat Up On Your Pads” is all about his coaching experiences. Don’t get it twisted though, Snoop still has some gangsta s*** for you on this album, “Gangbangin’ 101”, “Vato” and “Don’t Stop” are strictly street bangers. You want to hear grown up pairing of Snoop and Dr. Dre, then “Imagine” is your song. If you need a club banger, go no further than “Which One Of You” or “That’s That”. There is even a classic Nate Dogg song, “Crazy”.

Stop reading and go cop this album, like yesterday.