Various Artists - Tha Blue Carpet Treatment (CD)

There's no question that Snoop Doggis one of hip-hop's most beloved artists; Snoop has not only ridden with hip-hop from the margins to the mainstream, he helped get the big rig there. All reverence aside, though, the quality of Snoop's output has frequently come into question since the release of his undisputed classic, 1993's DOGGYSTYLE. While all his albums have had their share of hits, they've often lacked cohesion as Snoop aimed for broader appeal, catered to big-name pop guests, and alienated hardcore fans in the process. But on his eighth effort, it seems Snoop finally has the formula locked down, seamlessly blending smoothed-out 1970s funk ("Think About It," "Boss Life") and catchy R&B ("That's That," "Round Here") with new millennium G-Funk ("Crazy," "Don't Stop") and more than a few hardcore street anthems ("Vato," "Gangbangin' 101"). Every track is a triumph as Timbaland, Nottz, the Neptunes, DJ Pooh, Rick Rock, and Dr. Dre, among others, bless Calvin Broadus with some of the most fitting soundscapes his laidback gangsta drawl has ever touched. THE BLUE CARPET TREATMENTis another crowning achievement for the D-O-double-G, perhaps even eclipsing the pure gangsta charisma of his classic 1993 debut.