Warren G
Take A Look Over Your Shoulder (Reality)

THE REVIEW

The year was 1997, and Warren G, Dr. Dre's half-brother, was out causing trouble with "Take a look over your shoulder (Reality)," an album that was terrifying, and despite the various horrors of rap made in U.S.A. that have emerged in recent years (see 50 Cent), it still manages to scare even in 2006!

A true album, an album with all the credentials and qualities! Everything goes smoothly, no smudges, Warren Griffin III (Warren G), author of the lyrics and producer of most of the instrumentals, confirmed himself, after the historic "Regulate... G Funk Era," dated 1994, as one of the greatest Kings the West Coast had ever known.
This, like it or not, is West Coast Style in its purest form: hard yet delicate rhymes, melodic yet tough and decisive instrumentals that manage to hit right from the first listen; almost all of the choruses are strictly sung by soul vocalists, the beats aren't complicated but, nevertheless, they know how to be effective, the synths are sinuous and the electronic bass lines accompany the rhythm like no other bass in a hip-hop track could do.

Ok, now that I've properly informed you, let me describe some of the most impressive tracks of this work, let's go: ...let's start with the second, that is, "Annie Mae" (feat. Nate Dogg), here Warren's rhymes immediately enchant, the flows are perfect, the style is that classic of the old days and it shows, the wonderful voice of Nate is wonderful and the chorus, after listening to it just once, will embed itself in your mind forever.
"Smokin' me out" brings with it that great feeling that only funky can give, the slapped bass becomes the magic ingredient of the whole song and the legendary voice of the legendary Ron Isley is unmistakable. It's difficult for me to find a track "that doesn't fit" because here all the tracks fit, listen for example to "Reality", track no. 5, and you will have confirmation of my words: what can I say? Extremely West Coast!

If you're among those who want rap to be incisive, fierce and rough, well, for you there's "What we go through" (feat. Bad Ass, Mr. Malik & Perfec); tough track, Bad Ass's voice will kill you while Warren's, along with the beautiful instrumental, will give you the final blow... same goes for "To all the DJ's"! "Can you feel it" might be one of the best tracks on the CD, the backing vocalists create their rightful chaos, the bass tells you how to move and Warren G's voice is Warren G's voice: full of flow and with unprecedented lyricism! I stated that "Can you feel it" might be one of the best but when you get to the fabulous "What's love got to do with it" things change: Adina Howard's wonderful soul voice doesn't just give you goosebumps... it does more! As for the verses and the chorus, I have no words, I adore this song, in fact, I’d say I love it, just like I love the funkily awesome cover of Bob Marley’s "I shot the sheriff"; strange, you might say, usually covers don't turn out well, but I assure you this one came out of the recording studio in excellent condition! When an artist, especially within hip-hop, pours their heart into an album, the difference is palpable; listening to this product, I would swear Warren G and company didn't just put their heart into it, but their entire soul! A black soul, of course.

Let’s draw conclusions... this is an album I recommend to all those who need real music, soul, rap, funk, and energy! Warren G, "Take a look over your shoulder (Reality)", 1997... a must-have at all costs in your record shelf!