"After close to a decade being on Jive Records and releasing some timeless classics (to me ALL of his albums on that label are classics), Spice 1 goes independent on this one. Actually, quite a few of the songs there were released on compillations, but most of the material is fresh and new. To me, this is a very important album. It's not as perfect as his previous ones, so why do I call it important? Because I think that on this album, it's the last time we get to hear Spice's trademark sick-flows. On this album, Spice came out with much energy and heat. In his albums after "Tha Last Dance" (released in 2000), it's seems that although the albums were good, Spice 1 lost his edge a little bit. But on this album, you still get some of the old Spice 1. The reasons I didn't give it 5 stars are that first of all, there are quite a few mediocre guest rappers on it, and that takes away from the album quite a bit. However you also get some awesome star appearences - C-Bo, MJG, UGK, Bad Azz and Black C all come out with some tight verses and cotribute a lot to the songs they're on. Most of the production is still very good, handled by some relatively known producers (such as G-Man Stan, DJ Squaky, DJ Daryl and a few others) and that's also something that changes in his future albums (Spicebierg Slim and The Rydah) were produced mostly by some no-name producers. As I told you, Spice 1 came out with quite much heat on this album, lyrically he still doesn't dissapoint, although he's not as original and violent as he once was. The bottom line is that "The Last Dance" (I have no idea why he named it that way - maybe he thought it would be his last album) is a solid West Coast album, by one of it's legends Spice 1 - still hungry, still gangsta, and still one of the realest ones out there. This album was very slept-on, since it was released on a small label (Mobb Status?? - who are these guys?) In these days, when we're surrounded by those industry-made-thugs Spice 1 is just something else, and he stands above his competition and he deserves his music to be heard."
Solid 7th solo cd from a great
G$ | B-More, MD | 11/02/2004
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Spice 1 comes out hard once again. Has a few great songs on this one but also has a few below-par songs (which I think he's only made less than a half dozen on his fist 6 solo efforts). Nevertheless it's a good cd and a must have for Speezy Ace fans, as usual he doesn't let you down. Production is pretty good and handle by a number of producers, G-Man Stan (4 songs), DJ Squeaky (2 songs), and Pimp C, BLACKjack, Payback, Sean T, DJ Darryl, and Beezie 200 all do 1 song.All he needed was some airplay on the east coast and he'd have sold over 15 million solo records. It has 1 classic, 2 near classics, and only 1 weak track and 2 that are ok. He's been puttin' out quality cd's on major labels since late '91 and made his first cd in '88 so you know he's got longevity & skill.
#1 - 9.5
#2 - 9.5 (f/ Bad Azz)
#3 - 9
#4 - 8.5 (f/ Bun B & Pimp C {UGK})
#5 - 10 (classic song and one of my personal favorites w/ Young Noble & Napoleon from the Outlawz)
#6 - 7.5 (f/ Michelob, 40 Glocc, & Bad Azz)
#7 - 9 (f/ Pimp C {of UGK} & Black C {of RBL Posse})
#8 - 7 (f/ Reefah - has a rock beat to it)
#9 - 5 (f/ Sean T & Crime Boss)
#10 - 8 (f/ C-Bo)
#11 - 8
#12 - 7.5 (f/ MJG)
b. Robert Lee Green in Texas around 1971 - moved to Hayward, CA
"Can't fu*k wit the East Bay G"
Check out all my reviews"
SPICE 1 - GREATEST MC (EVER)
R. MILLER | Lismore, Australia | 04/15/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Being from Australia, there is not a lot of hip-hop around, and the rap that people around here do know is always the most commercial (ie. eminem, 50 cent). A friend who is also into American hip-hop introduced me to Immortalized in 2002, when I was 19. I had never heard Spice 1 before and the moment i had put it on I knew straight away that this man represented a completely unique edge within gangster rap. After hearing Immortalized I listened to the rest of Spice 1 albums, and have listened to him practically every single day since then. Spice 1 has made a huge impact on me as a human being and will continue to do so. "The Last Dance" is my favourite Spice 1 album. Spice realy shines on this album and clearly stands out over any MC that features with him. Look at tracks like 'Murder Man Dance' and listen to Spice's verse. He has so much style and can bust harder lyrics than anybody. Just listen to 'Kizz My Azz' of 2004's 'The Ridah' Just to see the amazing versatility he can create within one song, all by himself. Spice still is releasing continuos albums nearly every year, which nobody else seems to be doing. Look at his latest album 'The Truth' from 2005, which to me is already a classic. I have already listened to this cd over 50 times the whole way through and am no where near sick of it. Spice 1 doesn't get anywhere near the credibility he deserves. He is a pioneer of this genre. I already know that when I buy a new spice 1 album that there is no chance of being disappointed which is something I cannot say for any other act."
Classic East Bay Gangsta
Jaylin | Los Angeles, Ca | 05/24/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The east bay gangsta hits us again with one of his wildest and best albums yet featuring a host of popular Lyrical talents. The Outlaws absoulutley come off on "Got Gunz" not to mention the UGK'S Badd Azz and C-Bo just to name a few. Spice one really took his time on this project and made quality gagstafied straight out the low rider, hand waven, flag sportin, Ben Davis wrearing Khacki strollin, Crip waling music...no games"
Good stuff
Jaylin | 01/17/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is his most melodic. How we Ride really flows. Also Chocolate Philly and Player Pieces are melodic too. His melodies are getting good enough to be mainstream but he still has the edge. However, the man seriously needs some new words. I suppose it gets hard being creative so long tho. This isnt my favorite CD of his but it is his best, I do think."