Redman - Red Gone Wild (Def Jam)

Redman returns from the lab with his original formula.

Red Gone Mild?

Red Gone Wild is not not so much wild as it is a fun, funky ride. The man also know as Reggie Noble is back with his first studio release in over six years and it's worth the wait. He's still bringing the comedy, reppin' the Brick City and loving his main lady, Mary Jane. Though slightly uneven, Gone Wild is a highly listenable return.

Something For the Old School, Not Much for the New

Lyrically, Redman remains imaginative with the distinctive flow that made him one of hip-hop's antiheroes. In an age of gross materialism that places product far ahead of skills, Redman remains the local weed-smoking, around-the-way dude that is just getting by with a regular job. Fans that grabbed his 1992 debut, Whut, Thee Album? won't be disappointed--Red Gone Wild will take them back to their middle school, high school, or otherwise carefree, purple-hazy days.

But, can Redman stand the test of time? It's way too soon to tell if his newest adventure will eventually become a classic. His present challenge is to remain relevant to today's hip-hop climate by sticking with his more mature audience, or else make a real attempt to appeal to the young'uns who are bumping Yung Joc in their iPods. If he's shooting for the latter, then a too-long and largely irrelevant skit like "Mr. Ice Cream Man" should have been cut from the jump. Redman pandering to any group or really anyone, however, is highly unlikely.

All-Star Lineup

Red made good choices with guest appearances including, the tried-and-true, Keith Murray, Erick Sermon, Method Man and the always dependable Snoop Dogg. The most notable difference between the Redman of '92 and the Redman of '07, is the production. Timbaland and Scott Storch in particular, merge futuristic, slightly spacey sounds with classic funk. And yes, he did it again: "Soopaman Lover 6," reminds us why he is the original Funk Doc.

The Bottom Line on Red Gone Wild

• "Walk in Gutta" ft. Def Squad and Biz Markie
• "Gimme One"
• "Whatchoogonnado"

Red Gone Wild Tracklist

1. "Fire" f/E3
2. "Bak Inda Buildin'"
3. "Put It Down" f/DJ Kool (Prod. by Timbaland)
4. "Gimmie One"
5. "F**k Ur Opinion" (Skit)
6. "Sumtn' 4 Urrbody" f/Blam, Runt Dawg, Ready Roc, Icadon & Saukrates
7. "Pimp Nutz"
8. "Freestyle Freestyle" (Prod. by Scott Storch)
9. "WutchooGonnaDoo" f/Melanie Rutherford
10. "Walk In Gutta" f/Erick Sermon, Keith Murray & Biz Markie (Prod. by Erick Sermon)
11. "Dis Iz Brick City" f/Ready Roc (Prod. by DJ Clark Kent)
12. "Rite Now" (Prod. by Erick Sermon)
13. "Blow Treez" f/Ready Roc & Method Man
14. "Suicide"
15. "Mr. Ice Cream Man" (Skit)
16. "Hold Dis Blaow!"
17. "Get 'Em" f/Saukrates & Icadon (Prod. by Tha Chill)
18. "Merry Jane" f/Snoop Dogg & Nate Dogg (Prod. by Rockwilder)
19. "Gilla House Check"
20. "No Mo Soopaman Luva" (Skit)
21. "Soopaman Luva" 6 f/E3, Hurricane G & Melanie Rutherford
22. "Soopaman Luva 6 1/2"
23. "Suicide"