Album: Ghostface Killah – The Big Doe Rehab

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While the future of the Wu-Tang Clan as a collective appeared to be in doubt, the groups most consistent member Ghostface Killah continued releasing a steady stream of solid albums, including two in the span of one year, hitting the market with more product before the close of the James Bond year (2-007) as he enters The Big Doe Rehab.

Overall, this LP sees the updating of the Tony Starks blueprint while still maintaining the same qualities that have had him held in high reverence since those Cuban Linx glory days. The above is exemplified succinctly and effectively on the lead single We Celebrate; as the name suggests it is a celebration of everything that Ghost holds dear and brags about so effectively and creatively that it doesn’t grow tiring. Ghost spouts “gourmets with four grenades/when the suns in my face, all I do is lower my walls for shade”. He is indeed waxing lyrical about material items and it may not even technically make sense, but it is delivered in such an entertaining way that it’s damn near addictive. As he is joined by the iconic Kid Capri on the hook, you get the feeling that everyday is a celebration of life and over-the-top ridiculousness for the Staten Island veteran.

The captivating and descriptive tales of madness continue on Rec-Room Therapy, which features fellow Wu-Tang members Raekwon and U-God, as the trio deliver menacing lines laced with equal parts threats and talk of the drug game. While it has the Ghostface stamp all over it, it also sounds like the kind of track that should have been included on Wu-Tang Clan’s disappointing group project 8 Diagrams. Raekwon appears again, along with a rejuvenated Method Man, on the stellar cut Yolanda’s House. The three clansmen trade verses without seemingly losing a step. Ghost plays the outlaw running to his girl’s house for refuge from the cops, meanwhile Meth is the disgruntled friend who is already at the same home with his girl. Rae later joins in as a hard-nosed cartel leader asking for his money.

As with any Ghostface release The Big Doe Rehab is laced with irreverent humor, case in point the entertaining White Linen Affair (The Toney Awards). Ghost plays the MC of a fictitious award show, as he runs through an all-star line-up of Hip Hop’s brightest stars supposedly appearing at the event. In between talk of “packing metal like braces”, he announces the luminaries in attendance “we got D-Block, Wu-Tang, Jay-Z and Nas. Also performing 50 Cent, Terror Squad”. Meanwhile, Theodore Unit member Sean Wiggs puts on an impressive performance, playing the role of the show’s producer.

The main point that will stick out, particularly to loyal Ghost and Wu disciples, is the fact that The Big Doe Rehab shares more than a few similarities to his previous work, especially his back-to-back releases from 2006. The feeling of ‘too much of a good thing’ does come to mind during the full listening experience of the album, most noticeably on the cut Yapp City.

However, when it is pulled off with such aplomb and infectious energy it becomes more of an interesting point to note rather than something that takes away from the album and Ghost’s artistry. Consider The Big Doe Rehab another triumph for Hip Hop’s Quentin Tarrantino.

Available Through Def Jam Records