There are lots of different styles here from funk, soul, R&B, Latin, reggae, gangsta rap and what sounds like '50s pop-soul on 'Wait a Minute Baby' and 'Everybody Watching' that have a strong throwback feel. I love good R&B that goes somewhere, but too many of these R&B/soul tracks end as they start. There is virtually zero build up. 'Higher Power' is one such example that also ends with a rap where the rapper raps in this annoying melancholy expression that so many seem to think sounds good. While the project is titled 'Death Row Summer', there isn't much of the genre here that Death Row was famous for. The best of them is Tha Dogg Pound's 'Whoopty Whoop'. Like I said, too many slow moving songs that go nowhere. If you love that D'Angelo type of R&B you may get more out of this than me. Best Tracks: Bad, Touch Away, Whoopty Whoop, Baila Conmigo

I thought I'd checked out everything Ice Cube had major involvement in, but then I found this. The rappers aren't as controversial and ear-catching as groups like Da Lench Mob, or as good as other west coast rappers he has been associated with like WC. The best songs have elements of originality, and you won't have an issue playing this through numerous times if you like g-funk, but the high moments aren't here and many of the songs sound like so much other mid-'90s west coast g-funk production. Between a 3 and 3.5 out of 5. Best Tracks: What You Wanna Do, OG's Trippin', Bounce Rock Skate

The first two songs bump. 'Bell Biv Devoe' borrows from Nas' 'What Goes Around' and then 'Late Night Ridin' Again' picks up the funk. That is the best it gets. Track 3 is good, 4 is the weakest and 5 is just basically a funky instumental. The production doesn't sound as crisp as what he had on 'Brains All Over the Streets' but is still enjoyable to listen to and T-K.A.S.H. talks about how no one is rapping about anything anymore and about pro-Black, socially 'conscious' topics. Best Tracks: Bell Biv Devoe, Late Night Ridin' Again.

I checked this out after 'County Jail' popped up in my recommended which remains as the best song. The 20th Year Anniversary version is on the streaming platforms and it adds three new songs to the beginning of the album. I was shocked when I heard 'Thug Need Love' as the first song. After hearing 'County Jail' the poppy sounds and subject matter wasn't what I expected. The next 'Photo Shoot Remix' is weak too. 'Comin for You' is harder and better but none of these are worth going back to. I don't know if these are left overs from the '98 recording sessions or new songs. 'Thug Need Love' does seem to have a more modern sound though. On to the original songs that are more my thing. Interestingly, one of these members sounds very similar to Ice Cube at times. I kept checking the feature list to check if it was Cube. Listen to the final song and tell me it doesn't sound like him. There are many better g-funk and west coast albums, but at only about 40 minutes, minus the new three songs, it's an easy listen. Fans of the genre will get something out of this, but there is nothing top tier. Between a 2.5-3 out of 5. Best Tracks: County Jail, Caps, Dopest on the Planet, Rollin' Wit Connect

On Z-Ro's 1 Deep Entertainment label, Lolita has many similar traits. She sings and raps, and does so about many similar topics. There's no doubt he saw some of himself in her. I've played this through about six times and never felt the urge to hit skip. It's a really consistent mix of hard rap with some singing. One thing I like about Lolita, again like Z-Ro, is that she can actually spit. She doesn't talk through the bars like so many hip hop artists these days. She has also written some catchy, well-written hooks and some noteworthy bars that will catch the listeners attention. Z-Ro is officially on six tracks, but I also hear him on 'Top Back', but only Killa Kyleon is credited with a feature. Maybe the Z-Ro vocals are samples? Or it's a mistake. If you like Z-Ro, you should check this out. I actually think it's more consistent than Z-Ro's latest album, 'Pressure'. I couldn't give this less than a 3.5/5. Best Tracks: Top Back, I’m Not Lying, Fresh Set of Dominoes, Listen, My Bad, Nothin but Real Shit