Compton/Long Beach rap unfolds like a family tree: N.W.A. branches into Ice Cube, Eazy E, and Dr. Dre; Dre begets Snoop and Warren G; and, with Twinz, Warren brings on his own brood of disciples. But don't necessarily expe... more »ct these follow-up acts to succeed by association. After all, Warren scored by asserting an identity completely apart from his big brother Dre. In fact, the Twinz' Conversation barely steps out of the shadow cast by Warren's smooth G-Funk/Long Beach flow. The Twinz--identical sibs Deon (Trip Locc) and Dewayne (Wayniac) Williams--rip through Conversation with muscular rhyme skills, though their best material rides on the more subtle waves created by Warren G's exquisite music production. "Hollywood," for instance, relies on a silky Chaka Khan interpolation and guest rap from female duo Five Footers (the real stars of Warren G's stable) to make it Conversation's standout track. --Roni Sarig« less
Compton/Long Beach rap unfolds like a family tree: N.W.A. branches into Ice Cube, Eazy E, and Dr. Dre; Dre begets Snoop and Warren G; and, with Twinz, Warren brings on his own brood of disciples. But don't necessarily expect these follow-up acts to succeed by association. After all, Warren scored by asserting an identity completely apart from his big brother Dre. In fact, the Twinz' Conversation barely steps out of the shadow cast by Warren's smooth G-Funk/Long Beach flow. The Twinz--identical sibs Deon (Trip Locc) and Dewayne (Wayniac) Williams--rip through Conversation with muscular rhyme skills, though their best material rides on the more subtle waves created by Warren G's exquisite music production. "Hollywood," for instance, relies on a silky Chaka Khan interpolation and guest rap from female duo Five Footers (the real stars of Warren G's stable) to make it Conversation's standout track. --Roni Sarig
CD Reviews
"...this is what the locals sit back and rap to..."
SmokaJ | TORONTO | 07/18/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This album is a slept-on classic...not a masterpiece but a damn classic. Warren G's protege's Tripp Locc & Wayniac are blessed with (in my opinion) Warren's best production.
This is the definition of funky, laid back Cali-style Hip-Hop. I live in Toronto, therefore the east-coast & this is one of my favorite summer albums ever. Front to back, Warren & the Twinz teleport me to a loungin' Cali mindstate w/ every track. Everytime I'm coolin' out in the summer w/ some booze & weed I find myself puttin' this classic on. It also works as a great album for a backyard party/BBQ whatever, it's versatile and always a crowd pleaser.
The thing that makes this album so unique is the fact that all the amazing beats sound like something Snoop and/or the Dogg Pound would have the pleasure of rhyming over - however, the Twinz do every track justice and they keep it pretty clean w/ meaningful, insightful lyrics & themes. So it's like classic DPG sh*t, only not as dirty. Dope beats, dope MC's - an overall amazing album.
Bottom Line: Any fan of Snoop & the DPG will love this. Any fan of gettin' blunted and loungin' to a phat album will love this. This album is sadly slept-on and EVERYONE I play it for absolutely loves it. 5 stars (it's not a masterpiece, but I just love this album too much), Peace."
Just lay on back, fire up a sack...
S.J.S. | 08/29/2004
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Ok, first off I do not give an album 5 stars unless I think of it as a unique and absolutely outstanding release. So neither the rating nor the fact that this album is generally unheard of should get you the wrong idea. If thinking an album is great equals 5 stars to you, consider this a five star rating
"Conversation" is 40 minutes of pure G-Funk with little flaws. If you're into Cannibal Ox and Awol One then this MIGHT not be just the hiphop you're looking for, but if you like listening to smooth and melodic mid-90's west coast rap you can hardly go wrong with this. And if you like Warren G's "Regulate" chances are incredibly slim you won't like it
Matter of fact Warren G is responsible for doing all of the album's production except for the song "4 Eyes 2 Heads". And he pretty much stuck to his style on this one. Most tracks consist of smooth melodies and often a catchy hook that holds the song together and while not being as aggressive, violent and sexist as many of their likes, the Twinz are usually on the subjects they're supposed to be on...cars, street life, women and drugs. It's the type of G-Funk you'll associate with cruising, palm trees and sun, far from the menacing compositions and aggressive high-frequency style used by Eazy-E or Brotha Lynch Hung around the same time.
Basically, what this album will do is entertain you. While the pop appeal of Warren G's "Regulate" resulted in impressive commercial success, this album remained underrated and unnoticed, far from living up to the potential its melodic beats, overall moderate lyrics and clever choruses actually provided while never seeming to be forced. "Conversation" is not three joints for the ladies, two for the clubs and one for the thugz. It's an unadulturated, yet radio-friendly piece of G-Funk that can be recommended to anybody who likes Warren G or Snoop's world famous "Doggystyle"."
Deep Conversation
Dooky Breath | Virginia Beach, VA USA | 06/26/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Certain things in music can make you remember where you were and how it made you feel when it is being played, depending on the impact of the songs. This is one of the most slept on albums of all time. When you listen to this album you'll think of palm trees, chronic, Snoop of course and gangbangin. This album puts you in a WestCoast mindstate. You'll feel like your in Long Beach choppin it up with some Rollin 20's or some Insane's. If I could've gave this album a 4.8 then I would've but it wasn't fair to give this album a 4 because it's better than a 4 and closer to a 5. Straight riding material and did I mention that you can play this album in the year 2005 and the beats and wordplay still sound relevant. And thats why people label certain album classics. Meaning they're timeless."
"Twinz Got The Sound That Goes Round & Round" (Rating: 9 out
Chandler | Atlanta (College Park), Georgia | 12/30/2007
(4 out of 5 stars)
"To me, "Converation" is one of the many lost gems from the west coast. Being signed to G-Funk records branched from Def Jam, you know the fate that this group received (along with Warren G., Dove Shack, and Da 5 Footaz- I don't think "Worldwide" even saw the light of day...remember the "Gimmi Sum" video?). Twinz conisted of two bilogical twins Deon (Tripp Loc) & DeWayne (Wayinac) Williams, spitting some rhymes over some funky west coast production. After hearing these guys on Warren G.'s Regulate...G Funk Era LP, I couldn't wait to get this album.
The lead single "Round & Round" is excellent starting point on this album. The track vibes so perfectly. Then next is more laid back "Good Times", a track to just sit back and listen to. More great tracks are "Jump Ta This", "Eastside Long Beach" the second single. "Journey With Me" is real great with Bo Roc of the Dove Shack. "Hollywood" is excellent with Neb Love and Jah Skillz. "Pass It On" is a traditional bud smoking track with some members of Foseum.
The album is excellent. I guess I have to give a reason why I didn't give this a perfect 10. "4 Eyes 2 Hands" I wasn't feeling. Personally I believe that the west shouldn't try their hand in any reggae sounding tracks unless they sound perfect (i.e. DJ Quik's "Bumbudd II"). The track is still good.
Overall "Conversation" is a must have. However many albums these brothers sold was probably word of mouth, because Def Jam placed no money behind pushing this album (yet they can sign artists like Chingy and Rick Ross). It sucks that this album is out of print. Trust me, however much you pay for this album, it's well worth it. This is one of those albums that makes me wish I was living in California riding on the road listing to this. Peace!!!
Lyrics: A
Production: A+
Guest Appearances: A+
Musical Vibes: A+
Top 5 Tracks:
1. Good Times
2. Round & Round
3. Hollywood (featuring Neb Luv and Jah Skillz)
4. Journey With Me (featuring Bo Roc)
5. Pass It On (featuring Foesum)"
Dope Funky LBC
G-Funk 4ever | Listenin' to the Delfonics | 02/18/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
""Conversation" is one of the most slept-on, but best albums to come from Long Beach, Ca. If you love smooth G-Funk and Warren G, then this is a surefire hit. The songs are loaded with great rhyming and smooth whiny g-funk beats that epitomize Cali funk. "Good Times" is a dope track with the Twinz reminiscing of the positives in coming up in such a rough neighborhood. "Don't Get it Twisted" is also strong; it has a harder beat with a whiny, whistly keyboard synthesizer implemented in each verse before the hook."
Track Listings (12) - Disc #1