Snoop Dogg - Dead Man Walkin (2000)

Comprised of 12 tracks pulled from the Death Row Records rubble, this is the album that Snoop Dogg doesn't want you to hear. Why? Because these songs come straight from the studio floor. Disrespectfully titled Dead Man Walking by imprisoned Death Row president Suge Knight, the album hashes together unreleased and early versions of cuts from Snoop's Doggfather and No Limit Top Dog eras. "Head Doctor" features uncredited guest vocals from Raphael Saadiq and Tha Dogg Pound make saving appearances on the keyboard- and snare-driven "Tommy Boy" and "Cee Walkin'." The slow dragging funk of "Too Black" offers a hypnotic jazz feel. But the album's best offering is "Change Gone Come," with its eerie synthesizers and rippling bass line. If you want everything Snoop this ain't bad. But for the nonfanatic, there just isn't enough cream in this crop. --Kenji Jasper