Ghostface Killah Big Doe Rehab CD

On the heels of two exceptional albums in 2006 (FISHSCALE and MORE FISH), Ghostface Killah continued his hot streak on his third major-label LP in two years, THE BIG DOE REHAB. Coming with a fresh batch of wicked wordplay and dizzying stream-of-consciousness lyrics on cinematic hood vignettes ("Yolanda's House," "Rec-Room Therapy"), violent do-or-die tales ("Walk Around," "Yapp City"), and comically surreal award-show scenarios ("White Linen Affair (Toney Awards)"), Pretty Tony sounds as distinct as ever.

Stylistically, BIG DOE REHAB borrows from the old school, as Ghost revisits one of Redman's most memorable shticks on "Supa GFK" and lifts a classic EPMD beat on "Killa Lipstick." More centralized on the production side than either "Fish" album, the majority of the record's beats are provided by the Diddy-affiliated production duo of LV and Sean C, while supplemental production work comes courtesy of Ant-Live, Scram Jones, Anthony Acid, Frequency, Baby Grand, and Ghost himself. Featuring ample guest spots that represent both the Wu (Raekwon, Method Man, U-God, Master Killa, Cappadonna) and the Theodore Unit (Trife Da God, Shawn Wigs, Sun God), BIG DOE REHAB is another exemplary piece of gutter hip-hop from one of New York's most original and inventive rhyme-stylists.

Recording information: Baseline Recording Studios, New York, NY; Killion Floor Studios, North Hollywood, CA; Reddline Studios, Staten Island, NY.

Photographer: Daniel Hastings.

Personnel: Raekwon, Shawn Wigs (vocals); Ant-Live (various instruments); Ed "Wolverine" Goldson (guitar, bass guitar); Josh Lopez (guitar); Arden "Keyz" Altino (strings, piano, Fender Rhodes piano); Bryan Velasco (keyboards); David Wilder (bass guitar); Sean Oshea (drums); Dantai, Davey Warf Rat Chegwidden, Dave Chegwidden (percussion); Matt DeMerritt (flute, tenor saxophone); Geoffrey Gallegos (alto saxophone, baritone saxophone); Jordan Katz (trumpet); Ricky Rodriguez (drums, percussion); Amille D. Harris (background vocals).

Additional personnel: Chrisette Michele, Rhythm Roots All-Stars, Kid Capri, Masta Killa, Method Man, Raekwon, Sun God, U-God, Beanie Sigel, Trife da God, Shawn Wigs, Ox, Cappadonna.

Rolling Stone (p.132) - 4 stars out of 5 -- "Ghost's bouncy, more direct approach on cuts like 'Walk Around' shows off his ability to turn crack-slinging narratives into big, hooky pleasures."
Entertainment Weekly (p.130) - "[W]ith REHAB, Ghostface proves his tried-and-true technique has plenty of juice left in it."
Q (Magazine) (p.95) - 3 stars out of 5 -- "[I]t's packed with big numbers showcasing his maniacal rhyme style..."