Search - Roscoe :: I Luv Cali

Roscoe - I Luv Cali

Constant | Vancouver, BC Canada | 05/16/2006

(3 out of 5 stars)

"After a three-year hiatus Roscoe returns with his second solo album "I Luv Cali" (2006). Roscoe's debut album "Young Roscoe Philaphornia" was one of my favorite releases of 2003, and the song "Smooth Sailin" off that album was a memorable summertime anthem. I am sure Roscoe is happy to be alive yet alone releasing another album as he was almost killed last year when a car he in was hit by a drunk driver. Roscoe was actually pronounced dead at the scene but miraculously woke up. The album's first full length track and a likely single is "Summertime Again", Roscoe provides a laidback cut celebrating his love for California and the summer on a feel good head nodder. The decent "That's Wassup" follows, and has Roscoe showing his appreciation for one night stands. Roscoe reps himself and his squad on "Get My Grind On", remembering how his older brother Kurupt always encouraged him to get his hustle on. No West Coast Rap album would be complete without a weed song Roscoe's is "Get High Like An Eagle". After the single the next real standout for me is "Rain and Shine", Roscoe goes deeper with his lyrics on this laidback love ballad. Roscoe grooves through "I Feel Like" and talks more to the ladies on "Flip Flop". Roscoe provides yet another sex based track with another single "F*** Buddy", the title to this track explains what its about. Roscoe needs to work on his thugged out cuts, he comes across half-hearted and lacking intensity on cuts like "Gangsta Gangsta Riderz" & "You Don't Know Me". Some girl's clearly got Roscoe twisted as he drops another love cut with "She's On My Mind". The album's closer is "Easy Come Easy Go", Roscoe gets more introspective on this cut talking about his life, property, paying respect to notable politicians and musicians and giving thanks to those who supported him. Standouts on this release for me are "Summertime Again" & "Rain and Shine". Roscoe's got a great remake joint called "Sometimes" on his myspace page which I would love to see drop. I feel like Roscoe provided less variety with this release, whether it is the lyrics, production (heard Roscoe's getting some Scott Scorch production on next album) or lack of notable guest appearances (EG Sleepy Brown) this joint's a step down from the last one. All the same "I Luv Cali" is a decent release, which I recommend checking out.

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Scoldie Mac

Tonic | Chi-town | 05/23/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is album is great from front to back...Its good to hear the West coast style again...everyone else is going to a southern style, but Roscoe keeps delievering lyrics over all beats, not just crunk beats... Much recommended if you like Y.A., DPG, or West Coast rap at all"