Revenue Retrievin': Night Shift

Like Revenue Retrievin’: Day Shift, E-40’s Revenue Retrievin’: Night Shift was a 19-track album released on his son’s label Heavy on the Grind Entertainment on March 30, 2010. Since both releases revolve around related material and similar-sounding beats, it’s hard to consider these as two completely separate concepts, but Night Shift focuses a little more closely on songs for the clubs. As an old-timer (who has proudly served over 20 years in the rap game), E-40 seems a little out of his element here, spitting Luther Campbell-style pickup lines “Make that booty earthquake…left cheek, right cheek, let me see it vibrate” (“Show Me What U Workin’ Wit’”) and “Stilettos & Jeans” sounds too ‘90s to keep up with current trends (rhymes like “you say you are a cougar, f*ck it, I’m a lion” are telling of his age bracket). Lil Jon’s production would have been a welcome addition to make this truly club-oriented, but instead, E-40 returns to the sounds of his roots, with simple arrangements and skull-pounding kicks. Tedium starts to seep in by the halfway point, and considering that 38 songs were written in just over a year, it becomes obvious that not much fat was trimmed. If you accept that this is a case of quantity over quality and sort through the filler, the slow-moving (practically screwed) “Over the Stove,” comically profane “Ahhhh Sh*t!,” and instantly memorable “How I’m Feelin’ Right Now” are solid thumpers, showing an apt return to form. “Spend the Night” is the most drastic departure, and a successful one at that, which ties together Björk samples and hood swagger with a buttery hook by Droop-E. Overall, E-40’s lyrics are as crude and entertaining as ever, and guest appearances by fellow veterans Too Short and Snoop Dogg — as well as a couple dozen other rappers — keep things moving. Fans of hard, sparse beats and hyphy drawl will find a lot to like here. – Jason Lymangrover