Snoop Dogg
Bush
(Doggystyle Records)

Rewind to 2012’s Snoop Lion and 2013’s underground duo of 7 Days of Funk (collaboration with DJ and funk all-star Dam-Funk), and one begins to fully understand the task of Snoop Dogg’s Bush.

Having teamed up with Pharrell on his biggest hit, “Drop It Like It’s Hot,” and the sweet “Beautiful” with Charlie Wilson (from 80’s soul outfit The Gap Band), Bush sees Snoop changing gears yet again. Listening to the Pharrell-produced album is akin to teleporting to the 1970s funk and soul scene. Though definitely not a bad thing, at times it can come off a bit contrived — for those unaccustomed to Snoop’s singing abilities. Still, Bush has many high points with lead single “Peaches N Cream” featuring Charlie Wilson, “California Roll” with Pharrell and the legendary Stevie Wonder and “Edibles” with rapper/actor T.I. So be it rap, reggae, funk or soul, it’s one of the coolest things about Snoop, he knows how to stay relevant and keep it interesting.

And though I’m not the biggest Rick Ross fan, his appearance on “I’m Ya Dogg” alongside favorite rap newcomer Kendrick Lamar, has become one of my favorite tracks on Bush. So there.