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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Amazing album all around, Warren G in classic form., January 4, 2002
Warren G is one rapper/producer who is known for his supreme laid-back production and rapping style. Because of this, you can immediately trust Warren to come with G-Funk in its best form. Return Of The Regulator would definitely be one of the better albums to come out this year. Warren improves lyrically and vocally with each album, and beat-wise, one should know he's going to impress. This album actually out-does his previous effort I Want It All (which was a West Coast classic) in some ways. This time, Warren brings more of a street flavor to the table, and relies a bit less on assistance from guests. However, don't expect to see Warren all by himself, he's joined by such respected West Coast stars as Butch Cassidy, his old pal Mr. Grimm, Snoop Dogg, Nate Dogg, CPO Boss Hog (who also appeared on songs with MC Ren and Tupac), WC, Soopafly, George Clinton, Kokane, LaToya Williams, El DeBarge and others. Warren's half-brother, Dr. Dre, stops in to produce a track, and Soopafly also handles a song but Warren produced all of the other tracks. With this effort, he establishes himself once again to prove that on his fourth album he hasn't lost his touch. Whether it's a club single or just a laid-back song reminiscing on people he loves or his childhood, giving a positive message, or even just letting you know he hasn't fallen off, Warren proves all non-believers wrong.The album starts out with a really good introduction, which has a good old G-Funk beat and Warren's new discovery Damone puts in a verse about Warren to start the album off. One of the better introductions I've heard in a while. "Lookin' At You" is the first single from the album, produced by Dr. Dre and LaToya Williams sings on it a bit. The beat is actually very nice and Warren rips the song, which is basically a sex track, with some good keyboard-effects added. "Here Comes Another Hit" features Mr. Grimm and Nate Dogg for a fun, bouncy track. Vintage Warren here, and it's nice to hear Mr. Grimm's voice again. "Something To Bounce To" features Soopafly, who also produced the track, and it has a nice summertime feel to it. Warren talks against people saying he fell off, and Soopafly is in his usual cool form. "This Gangsta Heat Is Too Much" is a classic G-Funk track, the harmony on this cut is too good. Warren puts in a nice performance and it's cool to hear Butch Cassidy singing on the hook, because the beat blends perfectly with his style. "Young Locs Slow Down" is a positive track featuring WC, about how being young and a gangsta isn't all it's hyped up to be. Warren and WC make a nice combination, this track is somewhat similar to "Young Fun" from Warren's second album, Take A Look Over Your Shoulder. "Speed Dreamin'" is a funky track featuring the one and only George Clinton and Mr. Grimm again. It has a funky beat that sounds a little happy, again nice production from Warren G, and he and Mr. Grimm trade lines, which sounds very good. "Your Sassy Ways" is a 213-reunion song, and is one of the best 213 tracks to come out since, well, "Game Don't Wait" from I Want It All. The beat is classic, and the introduction even has the same character who spoke on Snoop's old classic "Doggy Dogg World". The beat is so nice, and Nate Dogg blends perfectly, plus good verses from Snoop and Warren rounding this song out to be one of the album's best. "It Ain't Nothin' Wrong With You" is a posse cut, featuring CPO Boss Hog, Mr. Grimm and Damone. The song is about women and has a nice laid-back feel to it, Damone shines on this track proving he has potential. "Ghetto Village" is Warren at his best, with its nice Stevie Wonder sample, Warren talks about how the ghetto was important to his success. The song is simply real, which makes it even better to listen to. "They Lovin' Me Now" is a swift track with CPO Boss Hog and Butch Cassidy, and has a typical Warren beat. CPO comes surprisingly nicely here, and Warren also is on track. "Streets Of LBC" is one of Warren's best songs, here he's solo again, and to be honest, this track wouldn't sound out-of-place on Regulate. It's serious, interesting and realistic. Warren's lyrics come out better than ever on this track. "G-Funk Is Here To Stay" is a bouncy track that has the Battlecat sound to it, with the signature cowbell sound effect. Warren and Mr. Grimm trade back and forth here, and Kokane comes in with his voice that sounds suspiciously similar to George Clinton, who was obviously one of his major influences. G-Funk is truly here to stay. "Keepin' It Strong" is the final track, and it's Warren rapping about personal parts of his life, such as the death of his mother and feeling lonely being on tour. El DeBarge sings a nice chorus. Overall a very good way to end the album. Warren definitely delivered a classic here. The only problems with the album are the two skits, which are annoying and pointless filler, and the fact that the song he did featuring Kurupt and Daz didn't make the album. Other than that, you can just let this album play the whole way through. There isn't a bad song on this effort. Every track has meaning behind it. Get this one, especially if you like West Coast rap, that's laid-back but still has the gangsta feel to it.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Warren's weakest effort, still worth a listen, November 22, 2007
Warren G has always been and will always be among my favorite hip hop artists, one of the West Coast's most ingenious producing minds. His 2001 album "The Return of the Regulator" is his weakest effort, but one that's still worth a listen for his fans in my mind. This album succeeds in most of the areas that his earlier efforts do, but fails in a few notable areas. His first three albums, 1994's classic Regulate...G Funk Era, 1997's Take a Look Over Your Shoulder, and 1999's I Want It All were all marked by his wonderful production, his signature g-funk sound with rich instrumentation, laidback vibes and a soulful, slow-rolling feel that evoked images of his sunny California home. On "The Return of the Regulator," the sound is a little different, adjusting to the evolving West Coast sound following Dr. Dre's influential 2001 album. The beats are generally more upbeat and less smooth than before. Personally I find the beats here to be weaker than on any of his other LPs, but his musical talent remains. He still fills his tracks with clever arrangements, and they're always catchy, even if they don't have the irresistable soulfulness he's known for.
"The Return of the Regulator" has many good songs, but few really great ones. Time and time again, Warren has proven able to craft true anthems and classic songs, and there are none to be found on this effort. That's not to say it's not a solid album though, because there aren't any noticeably bad songs either. Overall, it's just not as memorable an album. Part of this is due to the subject matter. Warren's always been a producer first and a rapper second, but this is brought to the forefront here. Usually, he makes do by rapping about his Long Beach, California hometown and reminiscing over growing up, and his likable character makes his verses appealing. This doesn't happen enough here, and his crew of guests too often lacks the big names of his earlier albums, replacing them with more ordinary MCs like Mista Grimm, Boss Hogg and Damone. "The Return of the Regulator" is Warren G's weakest album, but despite its flaws it still showcases his talent as a producer and artist.
The album opens with a full-length intro, which consists of a simple, bouncy beat, Warren's commentary, and a verse by Damone. "Lookin' at You" is an eerie Dr. Dre production with an appearance from Ms. Toi on vocals, Warren's verses are a bit lackluster but it's a solid cut. The joyful-sounding "Here Comes Another Hit" features Nate Dogg on the hook and a verse from Mista Grimm for an early, energetic highlight. "Somethin' to Bounce To" is also upbeat and sunny, Soopafly and Warren display nice chemistry without any substantial lyricism. "This Gangsta S... Is Too Much" isn't quite as memorable, despite a cool beat and guest by Butch Cassidy. "Young Locs Slow Down" is probably the best song, featuring Butch Cassidy at his eerie best and WC with a nice guest as well. The beat is somber, catchy, and clever, using a twangy guitar line. The album takes a turn for the worse at this point, beginning with "Speed Dreamin'," an awkward collabo with George Clinton and Mista Grimm, and "Yo' Sassy Ways," a forgettable 213 collabo. After the okay posse cut "It Ain't Nothin' Wrong With U" comes one of my favorites, "Ghetto Village." This song makes use of a famous Stevie Wonder sample, and Warren speaks of growing up in his Long Beach neighborhood over a clever laidback beat. "They Lovin' Me Now" is cool, but like too much on this album, not substantial enough to be truly memorable. "Streets of LBC" is likably unsettling, and "G-Funk Is Here to Stay" is alright but just doesn't quite work. The album closes with a deep, well-executed ode to Warren's mother called "Keepin' It Strong." It's a more soulful, somber version of "Ola Mae" from I Want It All.
"The Return of the Regulator" has a few flaws, but the catchy production for the most part makes it a solid album that I recommend to his fans. The title and cover art recall his classic debut, and this album would never be compared to it. I highly recommend each of his other LPs, and this one should only be owned by those who already own and love his other four. If not for the wonderful quality of his earlier records, this album would be remembered as a better effort.
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4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars
Warren G is capable of more, April 7, 2003
To keep it real, I bought this album and returned it the same day. Warren G is at his best when puts out mellow, laid back beats and laces them with simple, but catchy rhymes. This album is full of bouncy beats, and the flows don't really ride the beats well. I though reuniting with mista grimm would be a good idea, but it wasn't used right, and George Clinton doesn't belong here. This album was made for a particular west coast type of fan, and not really intended for hip hop fans in general. warrens best was his first, and take a look over your shoulder was tight too, I still don't know why people hated on his second album. That album was tight. His third, I want it all, was okay, but you could notice a bit of a decline, and this one just dropped his status. His next album, the g files:code 213 should get him back on track though, as I heard he is taking it back to his roots. That should drop sometime this summer, 2003.
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