After hating 'Boomiverse' (unbelievably to me it has a better overall rating than this album), I didn't go in expecting too much, but it's much better in my opinion and an enjoyable listen. There is nothing I adore, but it's a consistent album with a number of different sounds. Killer Mike on four songs is always a welcome addition when he is talking sense. Some songs like 'Intentions' are a touch too poppy, but no song is lacking anything to take from it. Beats: ★★★☆ Rapping/Bars: ★★★★ Hooks: ★★★★ Best Tracks: The Big Sleepover, Lower Case (no cap), Recreation, We the Ones, Return of the Dope Boi

Firstly, it's pleasing to see Daz heavily back amongst the producer credits, after he has seemingly taken a back step to that on many of his recent albums. Here he produces nine songs and the production is an improvement when compared to many of his albums from the last number of years. A high 3/5. It's easy to listen to from front to back, the rapping and beats are all enjoyable, that make for some bangin' songs like 'Ball Sipp'n', and there are some catchy, likeable hooks. On the flip side, there are no amazing moments and the content is nothing we haven't heard before. The worst moment is the annoying Kevin Slow Jammin James on the end of 'What's the Bizznizz'. Who TF talks like that? Beats: ★★★☆ Rapping/Bars: ★★★☆ Hooks: ★★★☆ Best Tracks: Compton & Long Beach, 8 Ball Sipp'n, Just Like Gz, Eazy, U R Not Who U R, Rest N Peace

An entertaining reality fitness program where there is no nastiness or backstabbing or anything ill-feeling at all between the competitors. The challenges are unique and enjoyable to watch. The only issues with this is how it's edited. The first few episodes are very slow going. Most of the first episode is introducing the 100 competitors, many of which are eliminated in the first challenge. Then the second challenge is 1on1 with the 50 remaining competitors, so that is 25 bouts of similar challenges shown in full. I skimmed many of them, as I did some of the next challenges as well. It's a show you can watch on double speed. The other problem is the annoying way things are repeated. "Whow!!!"

According to my rating history, I'd listened to this, but I had no memory of it whatsoever, so with 'Liberation 2' dropping, I thought I'd give it a play. Talib comes with his usual enjoyable flow, but the production at times leaves something to be desired and there are some hooks that I can't deal with. 'Happy Home' is one example which is a shame as the verses are likeable. I don't like 'Engine Running' either. 'The Function' is just okay. 'Soul Music' is boring. It does nothing. The finale track, 'What Can I Do' is the only one I do remember hearing before. It has the best production on the album as it never sits still. The souly 'Funny Money' is another highlight. For only 30 minutes and 9 tracks, I don't think the quality is consistently high enough to be deserving of hovering near 4/5. Around a 3 out of 5 effort. Beats: ★★★☆ Rapping/Bars: ★★★★ Hooks: ★★ Best Tracks: Funny Money, Over the Counter, What Can I Do

Original review: Overall, this is a solid album and as far as the inconsistent Busta goes, it's probably up there for the most tracks with replay value partly due to Dre providing some good production, that sound a bit like what Jay got on Kingdom Come. 'Don't Get Carried Away' with Nas is one such Dre beat, and is the standout with Nas stealing the show. Nevertheless, like every Busta album, the problem is that there are too many tracks that don't do a lot for me. It's worth a listen if you're a fan, but as the rating shows, not all will like. He is one of the many talented veterans in the rap world, but he is still yet to make an outstanding album front to back. -------------------- 2023 revisiting review: After basically dropping an album every year from '96-'02, Busta took some time off before this hit the shelves in '06. From the start, the haunting chorus and production by Dre on the opener is dope. Swizz gives us something original, but not that great, with 'Touch It' before the thumping 'How We Do It Over Here'. From there, it's almost all good music and it would be hard to argue against this being Busta's most consistent project. It's also probably his most consciously-minded lyrically. It drops off with 'Get Down' and 'I'll Do It All' towards the end of the album, but they are the only real average moments. 'I Love My Bitch' could be mentioned as well, as it does feel somewhat out of place on this album, but it's catchy enough to not dislike. Whether it be the unexpected Stevie Wonder and Rick James features or just the producers bringing their A game, there is something to like in almost every song. The production, executive produced by Dre and Busta, is more enjoyable, and includes some bangas like the ones I mentioned plus 'Don't Get Carried Away' with a great Nas feature. It's worth mentioning two songs that didn't make the album. 'I'll Hurt You' features Eminem and is produced by Scott Storch and Dr. Dre. Em and Busta flow over the fast violins making it sound like a unique song. I don't think we get the best Eminem here though. The more soulful 'Where's Your Money?' is the other, that features Ol' Dirty Bastard. Both songs would have been worthy additions to the album. In the old days, Busta filled his CDs to the brim and they probably would have been included but perhaps with Dre at the helm, he was talked into more quality control. They both purportedly received a lukewarm response when they leaked which may have been why neither were included. There aren't enough amazing moments to rate this higher, but there is a lot to enjoy and I find more here in the second tier of songs than I originally did. Beats: ★★★★ Rapping/Bars: ★★★★ Hooks: ★★★☆ Best Tracks: Get You Some, How We Do It Over Here, New York Shit, Goldmine, Don't Get Carried Away, Legend of the Fall Offs