Snoop oversees Def Jam's creme de la creme on his new album, and Silk Sonic (Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak) embraces cheese in their debt debut album in the 1970s

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"What is an algorithm?" Snoop Dogg asked in his new album introduction. The robot's voice uses dictionary definitions to answer. This is a red herring, designed to make you expect something cold and clinical. In fact, what followed was a boisterous party in which Snoop played the benevolent godfather of hip-hop—the "most presenter"—to celebrate with the past, present, and future Def Jam artists.

Algorithm, the 50-year-old's second complete project this year, came after he was appointed as the executive creative and strategic consultant of Def Jam. He obviously takes this role very seriously. Algorithm has launched creme de la creme: established stars such as Mary J Blige, Redman and Jadakiss, and recent signings include the Mississippi-born gospel singer Camino. It all fits together seamlessly, the slow jam of overgrown weeds, the drowsy psychedelic infusion and the rich tapestry of the pimped West Coast drive.

It opens the gin soaked "okay". Redman snapped off his bar with a growl, then handed the microphone to Method Man; their rough tone was tempered by the siren Nefertitti Avani and the sweet and shiny synth lines. "Anxiety" seems to be inserted into the bass improvisation from Amy Winehouse's "You Know I'm Not Good", and it feels more like a tribute to New York's nervous backstreets than Snoop's hometown California. However, "Big Subwoofer"-a joint effort by the Mount Westmore Super Band-will bounce up and down like low riders driving around Long Beach. It must be an excitement to hear Mary J Blige express her self-love in "Diamond Life". Followed by Jane Handcock, the best ghostwriter in the Bay Area, she enjoyed a well-deserved spotlight time as the lead singer of "Whatever You On". Snoop ends at the end of the 25th track, at the end-"You have reached your destination"-but this record will never go wrong. This is a trip.

Silk Sonic – A night with Silk Sonic

Silk Sonic: Anderson Parker and Bruno Mars

Anderson.Paak and Bruno Mars want you to get into a certain mood: think about red wine, satin pajamas, and raging fire. Together they form Silk Sonic, a playful but well-crafted tribute to funk and soul music in the 70s. Mars, who has long become the king of retro whispers, has carried out a full-scale imitation here. "We make music to make women feel good, to make people dance, that's it," he sold it to Paak, the "Come Down" rapper explained to the Rolling Stones. But the attention to detail is equally amazing. They are loyal to the music that inspires them, just as they are loyal to the "feel good" spirit.

For Paak, this is an opportunity to relax. He was fascinated by his comical color albums Venice (2014) and Malibu (2016) until the executive Oxnard, produced by his former mentor, Dr. Dre, in 2018. In contrast, Oxnard felt hard and empty, based on bluffing, and even Parker himself didn't sound persuaded. Now, he is leaning against the welcome smile of "Leave the Door Open", letting go of the Marvin Gay-style harmonies, gleaming like butter on hot toast. There are bright piano jabs, flashing synthesizers and lyrical gems: "I sip wine in my robe (sip, sip) (drip, drip) / I look too good (looks too good A) alone (whooping)."

"Fly Like Me" is an adaptation of James Brown. It bounced along the brisk little guitar improvisation, accompanied by wow licks and fashionable piano rolls, whimpering and grooving. Mars and .Paak both get tips from the master and use their voices for extra percussion, grunting, "um" and "yowwwwwwws!" as if their lives depend on it. They are also very interesting to hide Easter eggs. They refer to Prince’s "Purple Mist" and recruit the real Bossy Collins to introduce a sultry trilogy: "After Last Night", "Smoking Outside the Window" and " Put on a smile". Yes, it's tacky like a big bucket of hot pot. But it is also very interesting.

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Silk Sonic: Anderson Parker and Bruno Mars

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