Silverback Gorilla 2

THE LOX、D-BLOCKのSHEEK LOUCH(シーク・ローチ)。Bad Boy、Ruff Rydersとヒップホップ・レーベルを渡り歩いてきた後、D-Block Recordsを創設した彼が、Tommy Boy Entertainmentから新作『SILVERBACK GORILLA 2』をリリースする。 2008年にリリースしたSHEEK LOUCH3作目となるソロ・アルバム『SILVERBACK GORILLA』の続編(?)となる本作、前作同様にTHE LOXの盟友であるJadakissとStyle Pが客演している他、Swizz Beatz、Pusha T、Fabulous、さらに現在Tommy Boyでレーベル・メイトとなったGhostface Killahもフィーチャーされている。

No stranger to being overlooked, Sheek Louch places a distant third behind his fellow LOX members Jadakiss and Styles P when it comes to popularity, but even that crew needs some hidden gems, and Silverback Gorilla 2 is certainly one of them. Really, this could have been SG3 as 2010's Donnie G: Don Gorilla fell into the same angry "beast mode" category of the 2008 original, but when "Naw, I don't pillow talk/You can suck my dick or not" is dropped early on, it's the knuckle-dragging beast in all its glory, and returning fans wouldn't be returning if they didn't like it raw. Raw with some big-star co-signs like when Raheem DeVaughn helps turn "I'm Working" into a funky blaxploitation theme for Sheek's imaginary movie, then GOOD Music soldier Pusha T high-kicks next to the Gorilla as "Bang Bang" karate chops through the speakers thanks to a raw dancehall, maybe dubhall, beat from producer Shroom. The A$AP Mob crew is brought into the LOX world as "What's on Your Mind" with Jadakiss and A$AP Ferg falls somewhere between a posse cut and a superhero team crossover, then Wu-Tang veteran Ghostface Killah joins Sheek for "I Luv It," a more lighthearted look back at the old rap game, and with lines like "Eatin' shrimp scampi with scallions and medallions on" plus an infectious chorus, it's an easy pick. Seventeen cuts long and only a couple of them skits means this one is just shy of being overstuffed, although fans coming off a five-year wait will find it just right and, overall, a good reason to crave more. ~ David Jeffries|

ジェイダキスの新作に続いて放たれたシークのニュー・アルバムは、2008年リリース作の続編に。プッシャ・Tやゴーストフェイス・キラー、スウィズ・ビーツが各々参加した先行曲群でも聴けた緩急自在な猛スピットはアルバムにも受け継がれている。ロックスの仲間をはじめとする豪華なゲストが参加するなか、ジョエル・オーティスらが参加したサイプレス・ヒルへのオマージュ的な"Hood Nigga"がインパクト大。
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