Dr Dre: The Chronicle

By GRAHAM REID

(Herald rating: * * *)

In the liner notes to this 12-track selection taken from albums by Snoop Dogg, TuPac and his own Death Row albums of the early 90s, the Dr says "I always been just a producer at heart." But Dre has not been just any producer, as the sound of these tracks affirms.

His canny use of samples, placement of music and riffs in either foreground or as a backdrop, and his ear for a hook the size of a whale gaff is undisputed. However - and this is despite that when you enter the world of gangsta rap you have to expect the usual bitches'n'ho's, chronic ingestions and aural movies complete with street noises - over the long haul this is too samey in its genital-grabbing bravado, tedious threats and menace, and banging on about murder and so on.

Chuck D said gangsta rap was the CNN of the ghetto but as we know the camera will typically follow the biggest mouth for the promise of action. Brilliant producer, some great albums like The Chronic and 2001 to his credit, but this collection broadcasts on a narrow frequency.

Label: Shock