Method Man and Redman are one of the best duos in hip hop history. In 1995, Red and Meth’s single, “How High” from “The Show” soundtrack showed their undeniable chemistry. They encompassed charisma, wittiness, lyrics and a free-spirited demeanor. So, in 1999, Blackout was born. The album contained the hit songs, “Tear The Roof Off”, “Da Rockwilder” and “Y.O.U.” As Gangstarr can say, “The ? Remains”, is the chemistry still there? Was the 10 year hiatus a blessing or a curse? In the classic song “How High”, Redman says “I get it on like Smif-N-Wess, who cliques the best.” He answers the question on the BO2 intro with “talk that greasy, on and off tv, even pigs love the bosshogg’s cd, what you find hard, I do it easy, I could see why the next guy want to be me.” However, Method Man’s timeless flow is a perfect union with Mathematics production. He proclaims the teams supremacy with the poisonous dart, “Blunt Brothers see we at a level they can’t touch”. Phyllis Hyman cosigns with a sexy “Uh huh”.On “Ayo” featuring Saukrates, Red and Meth shadowboxes with Pete Rock’s production. It’s a light, summer tune to zone out to in your car or at the beach. The beat exemplifies Rock’s longevity of creating a unique sound incomparable to others. Saukrates is a nice addition to this track. His singing perfectly matches Pete’s sound. He massages the beat and rides it’s flow with consistency. (pull)Erick Sermon’s production for “Dangerous MCees” is a “Headbanger”. The beat booms as Meth and Red lyrically massacre the track. The song takes you back to the era when NY producers were specialists in hard and gritty music.(/pull) The tips of the “MCees” darts are venomous. Redman opens with the comedic line, “you can find me up inside a whore, make her legs go up like ferrari doors.” Johnny Blaze continues the assault and battery with “back when Chef mama use to sell plates, we use to sell base, I learn to wipe my nose and wipe the prints off the shell case, don’t want no jail case, 3 to 9 standing at hell’s gate is hot.” Erick Sermon changes his job description on “Mrs. International” to R&B crooner. He softly harmonizes “International” as Meth and Red talk of a woman who has specific intrinsic and extrinsic qualities. The Buckwild track makes you wanna sport a pair of khakis, a polo and a pair of Alden’s to a outdoor cafe with your Queen.

“Diz Iz 4 All My Smokers” begins with Method Man and Redman at a concert where the crowd yells, “Diz Iz 4 All My Smokers”. The Nancy Wilson sample caresses Red and Meth’s visual imagery of their adventures with Mr. Cannabis. However, Bink’s sample for “4 Minutes To Lockdown” is reminiscent of Gza’s “Shadowboxin”. The sound makes you rhythmically nod your head. Raekwon and Ghostface bring their special Shaolin techniques to the track to assist Method Man and Redman. Rae spits with a laid back style and confidence. Ghost dismantles the beat into granular sugar with emotional energy. Also, Method’s verbal scud missiles and flow shows why he’s a mainstay in the game. He says, “what you getting is the truth, my bird eye vision spot the pigeon in the coop, same way I live it, how I spit it in the booth, next to Rza ain’t no n*gga bigger than the group”.