Enter the 36 Chambers: My Lifelong Obsession with the Wu-Tang Clan

[EyesWideOpen]

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc261/gothamcentral79/WuTangClan.jpg

9 Members. All with unique flows, lyrics and personalities. They have a library of close to 100 group and solo albums. Their first album came out in 1993 and every member except for the deceased Ol' Dirty Bastard is still releasing music to this day.

My introduction to the Wu-Tang Clan was with the Method Man music video "Bring the Pain". I was a freshman in high school and the hip-hop I was listening to at the time was mostly G Funk/West Coast stuff popular at my school (Dr. Dre, Snoop, Eazy E, Ice Cube, etc). And here was Method Man in a low production video looking homeless, crazy and with one clear eye with a style and dusty flow I hadn't heard before. I immediately went down to the mall music store and bought the cassette single.

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc261/gothamcentral79/wu-tang.jpg

Now I'm 32 and I've never stopped listening to them. Through the group and solo albums I don't think I've gone a month in my life where I haven't listened to a Wu-Tang song. I've went from high school where I was almost solely listening to hip-hop, to a punk phase, and then listening to all different types of music but Wu-Tang has always been my constant. I can always hear a Wu song and be sucked right back in.

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc261/gothamcentral79/WTFWuTangClan.jpg

I wanted to make a thread where I go through and break down my thoughts on each album. I know their are some fans around here who dropped off the Wu-Tang train a long time ago and some people who have never heard their music so I'll link to songs/videos when available. Hope you all enjoy.

Scores so far:
1. Wu-Tang Clan - "Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)" / A+
2. Gravediggaz - "Six Feet Deep" / C
3. Method Man - "Tical" / B
4. Ol' Dirty Bastard - "Return to the 36 Chambers: The Dirty Version" / C
5. Raekwon - "Only Built 4 Cuban Linx..." / A
6. Genius/GZA - "Liquid Swords" / A+
7. Ghostface Killah - "Ironman" / A+
8. Wu-Tang Clan - "Wu-Tang Forever" / A
9. Killarmy - "Silent Weapons for Quiet Wars" / B-
10. Gravediggaz - "The Pick, the Sickle and the Shovel" / C+
11. Killah Priest - "Heavy Mental" / B-
12. Cappadonna - "The Pillage" / C+
13. Wu-Tang Killa Bees - "The Swarm" / A+
14. Sunz of Man - "The Last Shall Be First" / C+
15. Killarmy - "Dirty Weaponry" / B+
16. Method Man - "Tical 2000: Judgement Day" / C+
17. La the Darkman - "Heist of the Century" / C-
18. RZA - "Bobby Digital In Stereo" / B
19. "Wu-Chronicles" / A-
20. Wu-Syndicate - "Wu-Syndicate" / C-
21. Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai - "Soundtrack" / C
22. Genius/GZA - "Beneath the Surface" / B
23. Inspectah Deck - "Uncontrolled Substance" / B+
24. Ol' Dirty Bastard - "Nigga Please" / F
25. Method Man & Redman - "Blackout!" / C-
26. U-God - "Golden Arms Redemption" / B
27. Shyheim "Aka The Rugged Child", "The Lost Generation", and "Manchild" / C
28. Raekwon - "Immobilarity" / C
29. Ghostface Killah - "Supreme Clientele" / A-
30. Killah Priest - "View From Masada" / C+
31. Wu-Tang Clan - "The W" / B
32. Cappadonna - "The Yin and the Yang" / C+
33. Remedy - "The Genuine Article" / C-
34. "Wu-Chronicles Chapter II" / B
35. RZA as Bobby Digital - "Digital Bullet" / D+
36. Killarmy - "Fear, Love & War" / B+
37. Ghostface Killah - "Bulletproof Wallets" / C-
38. Wu-Tang Clan - "Iron Flag" / C
39. Wu-Tang Killa Beez - "The Sting" / C-
40. Gravediggaz - "Nightmare in A-Minor" / B-
41. Sunz of Man - "Saviorz Day" / D
42. Genius/GZA - "Legend of the Liquid Sword" / B
43. 9th Prince - "Granddaddy Flow" / B
44. Inspectah Deck - "The Movement" / C
45. RZA - "Birth of a Prince" / C
46. Raekwon - "The Lex Diamond Story" / C
47. Ghostface Killah - "The Pretty Toney Album" / B
48. Method Man - "Tical 0: The Prequel" / D+
49. Masta Killa - "No Said Date" / A
50. Theodore Unit - "718" / C+
51. U-God - "Mr. Xcitement" / D-
52. "Wu-Tang Meets the Indie Culture" / A-
53. DJ Muggs vs GZA - "Grandmasters" / A-
54. Ghostface Killah & Trife da God - "Put It On the Line" / B
55. Ghostface Killah - "Fishscale" / A-
56. Inspectah Deck - "The Resident Patient" / C-
57. Masta Killa - "Made in Brooklyn" / C+
58. Method Man - "4:21 ...The Day After" / D+

Wu-Tang Clan - "Legendary Weapons" / A

[Winston*]

Interested in this. You read the Tao of Wu?

[EyesWideOpen]

Interested in this. You read the Tao of Wu?

Thanks for reminding me. I had literally forgot they had released that book along with The Wu-Manual. I just ordered them from amazon.

[D_Davis]

Nice. Should be a good read. I always wished I liked Wu Tang more than I do, which is not very much, given their love for old school Kung Fu cinema. But their music just doesn't do much for me. I do, however, love the RZA's soundtrack for Ghost Dog, and he's a great producer.

[EyesWideOpen]

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc261/gothamcentral79/36chambers.jpg

"My Wu-Tang slang is mad fucking dangerous!"

1. Wu-Tang Clan - "Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)"

The beginning. "Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)" Released in November 1993 this their first album is considered by most to be their best. This is where we get introduced to their use of kung fu samples, comic book and other pop culture references, and grimy RZA production who helped pioneer the use of classic soul samples which become a signature of the Wu-Tang sound.

We get at least one verse by every Wu member with Masta Killa (with only one) and U-God (with only two) getting the least amount. The RZA who is the groups leader and producer made all the members battle to get their verses on the album. Masta Killa who was the newest to rapping wasn't as polished as the others and barely made it on to the album. Method Man and Raekwon get the most verses. We also get our first taste of Ol' Dirty Bastard's very unorthodox sing song flow.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8PIJs8vm4Jk

I love this album. At almost 20 years old it still sounds as fresh now as it did back in 1993. We get 12 tracks (7th Chamber Part 1 and 2 are the same song with different production) and not a weak link in the bunch. Every member does the most with their verses and shines. The way that "After Laughter (Comes Tears)" is used on "Tearz" is phenomenal. I wasn't listening to old school soul when this came out but it made me want to search out these songs.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eOR3LZGGWHY

Normally I'll pick my favorite and least favorite tracks but this album is perfect.


Review Score: A+

[megladon8]

Nice. Should be a good read. I always wished I liked Wu Tang more than I do, which is not very much, given their love for old school Kung Fu cinema. But their music just doesn't do much for me. I do, however, love the RZA's soundtrack for Ghost Dog, and he's a great producer.


He's also done some great commentaries about old kung fu movies. If I remember correctly, The 36th Chamber of Shaolin features a commentary track by him, and it's quite good.

[EyesWideOpen]

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc261/gothamcentral79/Gravediggaz.jpg

2. Gravediggaz - "Six Feet Deep" (Released in August 1994)

At around the same time the RZA was getting the Wu-Tang Clan together he was asked by Prince Paul to be in a group he was getting together and along with Frukwan and Too Poetic, The Gravediggaz were born.

Six Feet Deep is considered to be a part of the "horrorcore" sub-genre of hip-hop which consists of horror themed lyrics. The album also featured appearances by future frequent Wu-family members, Killah Priest, Scientific Shabazz, and Dreddy Krueger. Most of the production was done by Prince Paul with the RZA doing two tracks so the sound is grimy but in a different way then what we see on his Wu stuff. The single "1-800-Suicide" was used on the Tales from the Crypt Presents: Demon Knight soundtrack.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gE-5Q_xyiwo

It had been a long time since I listened to this album. I remember it taking me a while to warm up to since the sound is pretty different from the mainline Wu stuff I had been listening to. Overall it's not a bad album and there is not really a bad song on it but besides from two standout tracks ("Diary of a Madman" and "1-800-Suicide") the rest of the songs don't really have anything special that makes me want to listen to them over and over again.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cTXeg-Swq9w

Review: C

[Robby P]

This reminds me that I still need to check out the new Raekwon album.

I take it you're including Ghostface's solo stuff?

[EyesWideOpen]

This reminds me that I still need to check out the new Raekwon album.

I take it you're including Ghostface's solo stuff?

Yep.

[D_Davis]

I like the Gravediggaz album quite a bit, and I'm a huge fan of Prince Paul. Good write up.

[D_Davis]

He's also done some great commentaries about old kung fu movies. If I remember correctly, The 36th Chamber of Shaolin features a commentary track by him, and it's quite good.

Oh yeah - he knows his shit. He's like my black brother from another mother. We both love kung fu and producing music. :)

[EyesWideOpen]

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc261/gothamcentral79/methodman.jpg

"You Don't Know Me and You Don't Know My Style"

3. Method Man - "Tical"

The first solo Wu-Tang release "Tical" came in November 1994 almost one year after the group's debut album. Method Man who was considered a standout of their group album had the most outgoing personality and was a good fit to lead them off. It had verses from Raekwon, Inspectah Deck, RZA and also introduced us to some of the extended Wu family (Streetlife, Carlton Fisk & Blue Raspberry). All tracks were produced by the RZA with Method Man & 4th Disciple co-producing one track each.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T0BlXy3Roj4

A RZA remixed version of "All I Need" called "I'll Be There for You/You're All I Need to Get By" (not on the Tical album) featuring Mary J. Blige won a Grammy for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pqi4Rj8Cedo

"Tical" is a solid consistent album but doesn't have the number of classic tracks that the other early solo releases did. I love all the Wu members but Method Man isn't one of my favorites and he can't carry a full album ("Tical" has far less fellow Wu-Tang appearances then most of the upcoming solo albums) the way some of the others can.

Highlights: "Bring the Pain", "Mr. Sandman", "Meth vs. Chef"

Review: B

[endingcredits]

The first solo Wu-Tang release "Tical" came in November 2004 almost one year after the group's debut album. ]

Enter the Wu-Tang: 36 Chambers came out about 1993. Do you mean 1994?

[Adam]

Is everybody else aware that a RZA-directed, chop-socky martial arts movie starring Russell Crowe is apparently coming out this year?

[EyesWideOpen]

Enter the Wu-Tang: 36 Chambers came out about 1993. Do you mean 1994?

Like I said in the Enter the Wu-Tang: 36 Chambers post it came out in november 1993. Tical came out in November 2004.

[Ezee E]

Is everybody else aware that a RZA-directed, chop-socky martial arts movie starring Russell Crowe is apparently coming out this year?
Only if you listened to the podcast. I've got the inside scoop! ha.

[Glass Co.]

What a fun thread. I got heavily into the Wu last year. Everything up to Wu-Tang Forever is brilliant. I like 6 Feet Deep a lot more than you apparently, but like Davis I am a big Prince Paul fan. The album is like hearing his beats RZA-fied.

[ledfloyd]

awesome. i've always been fascinated by the wu tang clan. 36 chambers is one of my favorite albums but aside from some obvious ins (liquid swords, only built for cuban linx, ghostface's stuff) i've been kind of intimidated by their solo stuff. tical is actually one of the albums i checked out and was disappointed by. i will stay tuned and hopefully pick up some recommendations.

[EyesWideOpen]

It's been fun re-listening to these albums all the way through for these write-ups. Some of these like the next one aren't really my go to Wu-Tang albums so I haven't listened to them in a while.

[EyesWideOpen]

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc261/gothamcentral79/ol-dirty-bastard-return-to-the-36-chambers.jpg

4. Ol' Dirty Bastard - "Return to the 36 Chambers: The Dirty Version"

Released in March 1995 it features appearances by Wu members Raekwon, Method Man, GZA, RZA, Masta Killa, and Ghostface Killah along with affiliates Killah Priest, Buddha Monk, Brooklyn Zu, Prodigal Sunn, and 60 Second Assassin. Like most of the early Wu-Tang solo albums the production is mainly done by the RZA who works on 14 of the albums 17 tracks.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h2zgB93KANE

To be honest Ol' Dirty Bastard has always been my least favorite member but when he is on his game he's amazing as is the case with "Brooklyn Zoo" and "Shimmy Shimmy Ya" but overall he is far better in songs where he is collaborating with other artists instead of trying to carry a song on his own. Most of his solo tracks here are less actual songs and more just ODB's misogynistic ramblings.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T3re3Qf7JaE

On this album we also get a type of song which pops up on almost every future Wu album which is the sexually explicit song. These are the tracks I usually skip over because besides the lyrics there also usually not very good as is the case with "Drunk Game (Sweet Sugar Pie)". I don't want to be listening to my ipod and hear a song with Ol' Dirty Bastard orgasming or going into to detail about a girl giving him a blowjob. We do get some good posse cuts on here with "Snakes", "Raw Hide" and "Protect Ya Neck II The Zoo".


Highlights: "Shimmy Shimmy Ya", "Brooklyn Zoo", "Protect Ya Neck II The Zoo"

Lowlights: "Don't U Know", "Drunk Game (Sweet Sugar Pie)", "Harlem World"

Review: C

[endingcredits]

Like I said in the Enter the Wu-Tang: 36 Chambers post it came out in november 1993. Tical came out in November 2004.

The Method Man LP Tical came out in 1994 on Def Jam.

[EyesWideOpen]

The Method Man LP Tical came out in 1994 on Def Jam.

That's exactly what I said. I said it in the Tical post and again in the post responding to you. I don't know what you are asking.

Like I said before:

Enter the 36 Chambers came out November 1993
Tical came out November 1994.

[Glass Co.]

That's exactly what I said. I said it in the Tical post and again in the post responding to you. I don't know what you are asking.

Like I said before:

Enter the 36 Chambers came out November 1993
Tical came out November 1994.

Not sure if serious...

[Boner M]

Guess I'll be the first to say 6 Feet Deep is a masterpiece and a top 5 hiphop album for me.

[EyesWideOpen]

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc261/gothamcentral79/raekwon.jpg

5. Raekwon - "Only Built 4 Cuban Linx..."

“And Shallah Raekwon he the Chef
He cookin up some marvelous shit to get your mouth waterin
On some “O shit” "

Released in August 1995 Raekwon's first solo album features appearances by every member of the Wu-Tang Clan along with Nas, Blue Raspberry, 60 Second Assassin, Popa Wu, and the first appearance of Wu-Tang's unofficial tenth member: Cappadonna.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9yUk683Sl3U

Generally considered to be one of the best Wu-Tang solo albums and a plateau for Raekwon that he would forever be chasing. This album helped start the mafioso movement in hip-hop and was heavily influenced by Once Upon a Time in America, The Killer (which is sampled multiple times), and Brian DePalma films.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2MV7mJlZazY

This was the first Wu-Tang solo album that blew me away. Classic track after classic track this album feels more like a group album since Raekwon is only on his own on a couple songs. From Blue Raspberry singing the hell out of the chorus on "Rainy Dayz" to Cappadonna's breakout verse on "Ice Cream" this album fires on all cylinders.

Highlights: "Criminology", "Rainy Dayz", "Guillotine (Swordz)", "Verbal Intercourse", "Wu-Gambinos"

Review: A

[EyesWideOpen]

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc261/gothamcentral79/gza-_genius_-liquid-swords.jpg

6. Genius/GZA - "Liquid Swords"

“And the GZA, the G is just the Genius, hee
He’s the backbone of the whole shit
…
It’s self explanatory, Genius
…
He the head, let’s put it that way
We form like Voltron, and GZA happen to be the head"

Released in November 1995 "Liquid Swords" featured every member of the Wu-Tang Clan along with Killah Priest (who even gets his own solo song) and Dreddy Kruger. The cover art was done by DC artist Denys Cowan.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JyxBCzLh-Tc

The GZA is not only my favorite Wu-Tang member he's also my favorite hip-hop artist ever and "Liquid Swords" is my favorite hip-hop album. Every track is top of the line stuff with the samples and GZA's precise flow and intelligent lyrics. I remember the first time I watched Shogun Assassin I had a big smile on my face the whole time getting to see all the scenes that were used in this album.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WVWWO_76m6Q

"Liquid Swords" is the album I would give to someone who never listened to the Wu and wanted to know what they were about.

Highlights: "Duel of the Iron Mic", "4th Chamber", "Hell's Wind Staff/Killah Hills 10304", and "Swordsman" specifically but the whole album is a highlight.

Review: A+

[Glass Co.]

Two of my top 100 albums without a doubt, probably 50. Liquid Swords in particular blew me away like only a handful of albums have on my first listen.

[Winston*]

Are you going to go through all the Wu Tang solo stuff with this thread, or just the classics?

[EyesWideOpen]

Are you going to go through all the Wu Tang solo stuff with this thread, or just the classics?

Everything!

[Winston*]

Everything!

Even Cappadonna's stuff?!!

[EyesWideOpen]

Even Cappadonna's stuff?!!

I'm a Cappadonna fan so yes.

[ledfloyd]

well, now i have to listen to liquid swords.

[EyesWideOpen]

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc261/gothamcentral79/ghostface.jpg

"Just me and you motherfucker, just me and you.
I'll put trademarks around your fucking eye."

7. Ghostface Killah - "Ironman"

"Ironman" was released in October 1996. It had appearances by all members of the Wu-Tang Clan except GZA and Ol' Dirty Bastard. Also featured Cappadonna, Jamie Sommers, Force MD's, The Delfonics, and Mary J. Blige. The RZA handled the production on all the tracks but one "Fish" which was done by True Master.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qo8DFMo6HXY

Where "Liquid Swords" would get me thinking, "Ironman" gets me amped up. I used to listen to this before basketball games to get me ready for battle. We have maybe my favorite Wu-Tang song of all time "Winter Warz" with U-God giving a fantastic verse and then Cappadonna giving one of my favorite verses ever where it feels like he's never going to let the track end. Both Inspectah Deck and Masta Killa killing it on "Assassination Day" and then Ghostface getting sentimental with "All That I Got Is You" with Mary J. Blige.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iehBqhtLGAs

The way RZA picks out samples that are so memorable (here the main quotable ones are from the film "The Education of Sonny Carson") and so fit the tone of the album he picks them for is pretty remarkable. His production on "Ironman" takes the kung-fu flick sound of "Liquid Swords" and adds a Blaxploitation element to it which fits perfectly. No disrespect to Robert Downey Jr. but Ghostface Killah will always be the one and only Tony Stark.

Highlights: "Winter Warz", "Assassination Day", "Iron Maiden", "Black Jesus", "All That I Got Is You"

Review: A+

[ledfloyd]

i don't like that one nearly as much as you. is 'wildflower' the insanely misogynistic track i'm thinking of? probably the most vile wu-tang track i've heard. it's still a pretty good album, but nowhere near the heights ghostface would reach, IMO.

[EyesWideOpen]

i don't like that one nearly as much as you. is 'wildflower' the insanely misogynistic track i'm thinking of? probably the most vile wu-tang track i've heard. it's still a pretty good album, but nowhere near the heights ghostface would reach, IMO.

Yeah, Wildflower has great production but that's usually the one song I skip on the album.

[D_Davis]

Legend of the/Liquid Swords are brilliant. Great film, too.

http://chinesemov.com/images/1993/legend-of-the-liquid-sword-1993-2.jpg

[EyesWideOpen]

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc261/gothamcentral79/wutangforever.jpg

"I bomb atomically, Socrates philosophies and hypotheses can't define how I be droppin these mockeries, lyrically perform armed robbery, flee with the lottery, possibly they spotted me"

8. Wu-Tang Clan - "Wu-Tang Forever"

"Wu-Tang Forever" is a double cd album released in June 1997. It has guest appearances by Cappadonna, Ms. Roxy, Tekitha, and Streetlife. It's produced mainly by the RZA but True Master, 4th Disciple, and Inspectah Deck also produce some of the tracks.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ClFw-ekZ08

RZA's production values took a huge step up in this album using strings heavily this album makes me feel like I'm listening to a hip-hop opera at times.
Every Wu member gets their time to shine here with Inspectah Deck and Cappadonna both getting people anticipating their solo releases with more classic verses.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0R8BMY12JSU

"Triumph" is pretty much the perfect Wu-Tang song. It features every member of the Clan on it in top form and has a great beat. RZA considers Ghostface Killah's verse on "Impossible" the best Wu-Tang verse ever written.

Highlights: "Reunited", "For Heaven's Sake", "Severe Punishment", "It's Yourz", "Triumph", "Impossible"

Tracks I skip: "Wu-Revolution" (an almost 7 minute spoken word was a horrible way to start the album), "Maria", "Black Shampoo", "Second Coming"

Review: A

[Ezee E]

Wu-Tang Forever was my introduction to them. It's probably still my favorite, with "Triumph" being one of my favorite songs period.

[EyesWideOpen]

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc261/gothamcentral79/killarmy.jpg

9. Killarmy - "Silent Weapons for Quiet Wars"

"Silent Weapons" was the first major Wu-Tang affiliate release. Killarmy is a 7 man group consisting of Killa Sin, Beretta 9, Islord, 9th Prince, P.R. Terrorist aka Dom Pachino, ShoGun Assasson, and producer 4th Disciple. This album featured appearances by Masta Killa, Cloud 9, Hell Razah, and Prodigal Sunn. The album was produced mainly by 4th Disciple with RZA producing two of the tracks.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jamFl8qw0PA

Killarmy is probably most known for their more miltary themed lyrics then the typical more kung-fu/mafia raps of the Wu-Tang Clan. "Silent Weapons" uses samples from Full Metal Jacket, M.A.S.H., and the Incredible Hulk theme in a very similar way to how RZA created a cohesive feel to "Liquid Swords" and "Ironman".


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I5BVmudU614

For me P.R. Terrorist aka Dom Pachino and Killa Sin are the standouts of the group as far as lyricists go although the other guys aren't bad either. My favorite track is "Blood for Blood" which stands out with the Dead can Dance sample as the chorus. "Silent Weapons" is a solid album with out any skippable tracks but the flows and verses overall don't stand out as much as the main Wu-Tang albums do.

Highlights: "Clash of the Titans", "Blood for Blood", "Wake Up", "Wu-Renegades"

Review: B-

[EyesWideOpen]

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc261/gothamcentral79/gravediggaz2.jpg

10. Gravediggaz - "The Pick, the Sickle and the Shovel"

Released in October 1997 the Gravediggaz second album is a pretty big departure from their first album. The album's production is also heavily split up between members of the group and other Wu-affiliates with no one person producing more then 3 tracks. Features guest appearances by Kelis, Scientific Shabazz, Omen, Killah Priest, Hell Razah, True Master, Blue Raspberry, 9th Prince, and Aleem Brothers.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eguV51VwAos

The "horrorcore" sound of "Six Feet Deep" is completely removed and founding member Prince Paul only appears to produce a skit and the outro (even though he appears on the cover). Unfortunately "The Pick, the Sickle and the Shovel" has four standout tracks but the rest is just average with lackluster production and in the case of "Elimination Process", "Fairytalez", and "What's Goin' On?" good verses with a terrible chorus or hook.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0WlsE5GuQRo

It's a shame that is the last real Gravediggaz album since shortly after this album's release Prince Paul and RZA left the group and Poetic (the group's best rapper besides RZA) died in 2001.

Highlights: "Dangerous Mindz", "Twelve Jewelz", "Pit of Snakes", "The Night the Earth Cried"

Review: C+

[ledfloyd]

i haven't even heard of that killarmy record.

[EyesWideOpen]

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc261/gothamcentral79/Heavymental.jpg

11. Killah Priest - "Heavy Mental"

Killah Priest is a Wu-Tang affiliate who is best known for his solo track "B.I.B.L.E." on GZA's "Liquid Swords" and is also a member of Wu-group Sunz of Man. His debut album "Heavy Mental" features guest appearances by Inspectah Deck, GZA, Ol' Dirty Bastard, Tekitha, Hell Razah, 60 Second Assassin, and Antonio Chance. The production is mostly handled by 4th Disciple and True Master.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yycEmz8Tpgc

I've always wanted to like this album more than I do. I wish Killah Priest would get more amped sometimes like his verse in "Cross My Heart" but most of the album he's rapping at a kind of monotone level where while the lyrics are good it's lacking energy. Same thing with the production it's serviceable but not exceptional.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VeFB7JNTPLI

I find Killah Priest and "Heavy Mental" as a whole more enjoyable when I listen to it a few tracks at a time mixed in with other Wu stuff. But if you haven't heard him before check out the highlights and give him a shot.

Highlights: "Cross My Heart", "One Step", "Heavy Mental", "If You Don't Know", "The Professional", "B.I.B.L.E.", "From Then Till Now"

Review: B-

[EyesWideOpen]

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc261/gothamcentral79/cappadonna.jpg

12. Cappadonna - "The Pillage"

Cappadonna's first album "The Pillage" was released in March 1998 with guest vocals by U-God, Method Man, Ghostface Killah, Raekwon, Solomon Childs, Blue Raspberry, Tekitha, and Rhyme Recca. Production was mostly split between RZA, True Master, and Goldfingaz with 4th Disciple and Mathematics doing a track each.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DEr-9urWE30

Cappadonna is pretty slept on in my opinion as far as Wu lyricists go. He easily holds his own when he's on a track with Ghostface Killah and Raekwon the two Wu members he collaborates with the most. He's delivered some great verses on other people's tracks but here on "The Pillage" he delivers a competent album but besides a few great tracks the rest is just average. The production for the most part is great and does a good job keeping the Wu-Tang sound but the choruses on some of the tracks bring down any momentum the verses had.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WRcytXa4hVc

Highlights: "Slang Editorial", "Run", "Supa Ninjaz", "Everything is Everything"

Review: C+

[EyesWideOpen]

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc261/gothamcentral79/Wu-Tang-Killa-Bees-Rza-The-Swarm-Vol-1.jpg

13. Wu-Tang Killa Bees - "The Swarm"

This Killa Bees album released in July 1998 was basically a way to showcase all of the Wu-Tang affiliates along with some tracks featuring the main Wu members. You have the RZA, Inspectah Deck, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, Masta Killa, Cappadonna, Royal Fam, Sunz of Man, Shyheim, Hell Razah, Streetlife, A.I.G., Killarmy, Black Knights of the North Star, Ruthless Bastards, The Beggaz, Remedy, and Wu-Syndicate. With the RZA handling about half the production and other Wu members doing the rest.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fud2s4ryjik

I fucking love this album. I've probably listened to "The Swarm" as much as almost any other Wu-Tang album. Every song is great with the production, the lyrics, and the hooks. Not a single track that I skip. I love the sample that's repeated on "Co-Defendant" by Shyheim and Hell Razah which if I had to pick one would be my favorite track on the album. Cappadonna gives another one of his killer verses on "'97 Mentality" and the Jewish Wu-Tang afilliate Remedy makes his debut with a Holocaust remembrance track "Never Again".


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BO9Bh6j-vZY

I remember after this came out being so excited about the Wu-Tang side groups on "The Swarm" releasing more music and then some of them never released an album, split up, or dropped one album and were never heard from again, but at least they got one classic album out of it.

Highlights: (the whole album but specifically) "Legacy" by Royal Fam, "Co-Defendant" by Shyheim and Hell Razah, "And Justice For All" by RZA, Killarmy & Method Man, "Punishment" by Black Knights of the North Star, "Cobra Clutch" by Ghostface Killah, "Never Again" by Remedy, "'97 Mentality" by Cappadonna & Ghostface Killah

Review: A+

[Thirdmango]

I could possibly do one of these when it comes to The Quannum Crew. This is impressive. I have a lot of these albums but have yet to check most of them out. I'll be sure to use this guide for most of my Wu listenings. Also my other favorite part is the inability to tell the difference between 1994 and 2004. :D

[EyesWideOpen]

I could possibly do one of these when it comes to The Quannum Crew. This is impressive. I have a lot of these albums but have yet to check most of them out. I'll be sure to use this guide for most of my Wu listenings. Also my other favorite part is the inability to tell the difference between 1994 and 2004. :D

Thanks! I'm not stopping by the way it's just that it was alot easier to crank these out everyday when I was sitting home recovering from surgery especially since I'm relistening to all of the albums. Now that I'm back to work I'm shooting for two a week.

[EyesWideOpen]

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc261/gothamcentral79/SunzOfMan-TheLastShallBeFirst.jpg

14. Sunz of Man - "The Last Shall Be First"

Sunz of Man is a Wu-affiliate group consisting of Killah Priest, 60 Second Assassin, Prodigal Sunn, and Hell Razah. "The Last Shall Be First" which was released in July 1998 features guest apperances by Masta Killa, Ol' Dirty Bastard, Method Man, Raekwon, U-God, Trebag, True Master, Dreddy Kruger, Tekitha, Shabazz the Disciple, and Beretta 9. Production is mainly handled by various Wu-producers along with RZA doing three tracks and Wyclef Jean doing one.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3aPLen_0_kk

I hadn't listened to this album in at least 5 or so years since it's sitting on a broken computer's hard drive. It's about how I remembered it: average. Besides the songs I have listed in highlights the production and lyrics are all serviceable but unless your searching out every Wu album there are far better albums to get. The songs with the actual Wu-Tang members are for the most part the standouts. Killah Priest my favorite member of the group is only on 6 of the 19 tracks since he was busy working on his own album when this one was being recorded.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FO2GZIyyx-0

Highlights: "Shining Star", "Collaboration '98", "Not Promised Tomorrow", "For the Lust of Money/The Grandz", "Next Up", "Intellectuals"

Review: C+

[ledfloyd]

i obtained a copy of the swarm. haven't had a chance to give it a full listen yet, but i liked the few tracks i flipped through when i got it.

[EyesWideOpen]

i obtained a copy of the swarm. haven't had a chance to give it a full listen yet, but i liked the few tracks i flipped through when i got it.

Good to hear. Let me know what you think.

[EyesWideOpen]

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc261/gothamcentral79/Killarmy-Dirty-Weaponry-300x298.jpg

15. Killarmy - "Dirty Weaponry"

Killarmy's second album was released in August 1998. It has a much bigger presence by Islord who was incarcerated during the recording of their first album and only appeared on two songs. The only guest appearances are Killah Priest and Holocaust. Production is mainly handled by 4th Disciple with Mathematics doing two tracks and Russ Prez doing one.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDN6dsNaXQI

Great album. I still don't really care for 9th Prince's flow but every other member has upped their game since "Silent Weapons For Quiet Wars". This album really focuses on the group members with only two guest appearances (Killah Priest only appears on a chorus and Holocaust gives great performances on two tracks) unlike most Wu-affliate albums. Islord makes up for lost time and moves up to become my second favorite member behind Dom Pachino.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pukKs0VGrYw

Highlights: "Galactics", "Doomsday", "The Shoot Out", "Red Dawn", "Bastard Swordsman"

Review: B+

[EyesWideOpen]

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc261/gothamcentral79/methtical2000.jpg

16. Method Man - "Tical 2000: Judgement Day"

Method Man's second solo album was released in November 1998. It features guest appearances by Left Eye (of TLC), Streetlife, Cappadonna, Inspectah Deck, Killa Sin, Masta Killa, Raekwon, Mobb Deep, Hell Razah, Redman, D'Angelo, Polite, and Star. Production was handled by a variety of Wu-producers along with Erick Sermon (who does 2 tracks), Havoc, and Trackmasters.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fODtuA2RZoU

"Tical 2000: Judgement Day" can be summed up in one work "overkill". It's got 27 tracks and 11 of them are skits. Two of those skits are almost songs so I won't complain about that but the other 9 aren't funny or entertaining and you would never listen to more then once. I removed about half the album when I put it on my ipod so that way I didn't have to skip through a bunch of crap. But when you get down to the cream of the crop there is a very good album buried in here. Streetlife appears on 7 of the tracks and he's fantastic as are almost all the posse cuts.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-fP0D978w7o

We also get the first appearance of Method Man & Redman as a duo who they are probably known now more for then their solo stuff. The two Erick Sermon produced tracks (Step by Step & Big Dogs) and the Trackmasters track (Break Ups 2 Make Ups) don't really fit in with the Wu-sound and show the direction Method Man will head in the future.

Highlights: "Dangerous Grounds", "Suspect Chin Music", "Spazzola", "Grid Iron Rap", "Play IV Keeps", "Judgement Day"

Review: C+

[EyesWideOpen]

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc261/gothamcentral79/La-Da-Darkman-Heist-Of-The-Century.jpg
17. La the Darkman - "Heist of the Century"


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FRFu51YGXM8

La the Darkman's first album was released in November 1998. He had made a few appearances on various Wu-albums before "Heist of the Century" but wasn't as well known as some of the other Wu-affiliates. Features appearances by Raekwon, Masta Killa, U-God, Ghostface Killah, Tekitha, Killa Sin, Shotti Screwface, Havoc, Maia Campbell, 12 O'Clock, DJ Rogers, and Puff. Production was mainly handled by Six July and 4th Disciple with Havoc, DJ Muggs, Raekwon, and RZA also producing some tracks.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YDzLdf-rPgk

I hadn't listened to this album in forever but I remembered it as one of my favorite Wu-affiliate albums. Now it doesn't really do anything for me. La is a good rapper but most of the songs are just generic crime stories with bland production. "What Thugs Do" is a generic R&B radio type song and even most of the appearances by the actual Wu-Tang lacks the spark that they usually provide in their guest verses. If you want to hear a great La the Darkman song listen to "Devil in a Blue Dress" off the DJ Muggs: Soul Assassins album.

Highlights: "Heist of the Century", "Figaro Chain", "Polluted Wisdom", "Element of Surprise"

Review: C-

[EyesWideOpen]

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc261/gothamcentral79/RZA-as-Bobby-Digital-in-Stereo-1998.jpg

18. RZA - "Bobby Digital In Stereo"

"I'm vegetarian bitch. I don't need the beef."


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=77sw9iQ_XKA

RZA's first solo album was released in November 1998. It features RZA as his alter-ego Bobby Digital (a partying and womanizing version of himself) and uses more keyboard "digital orchestra" production instead of the sample heavy production RZA is usually known for. Production is handled almost solely by the RZA with Inspectah Deck and King Tech each doing a track each. The album is filled with comic book references and the cover art is done by acclaimed comic book artist Bill Sienkiewicz.

Features guest apperances by Method Man, Masta Killa, Ghostface Killah, Ol' Dirty Bastard, Inspectah Deck, Tekitha, Holocaust, Doc Doom, Ms. Roxy, Dom Pachino, Killa Sin, Islord, Timbo King, Jamie Sommers, Ras Kass, Kinetic 9, and 9th Prince.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XUXd5CzJpEA

The first thing I did when putting this album on my itunes is to remove the three skits and "Love Jones" and then you have a pretty solid album. I know most people don't care for this Bobby Digital production but I love it. From "Unspoken Word" to "Bobby Did It" it was stuff that in 1998 I hadn't heard before. He highlights some lesser known Wu-affilates and they take advantage of their time to shine with Holocaust, Doc Doom, and Ghostface Killah all giving fantastic verses on "Holocaust (Silkworm)" and Ras Kass's memorable verse (although too short) on "Handwriting on the Wall". The RZA overall as a rapper is kind of all over the place. Sometimes he's great sometimes he's terrible but on this album he's mostly great and combined with the keyboard driven production "In Stereo" has far more pluses then minuses and contains some of my favorite RZA beats.

Highlights: "Unspoken Word", "B.O.B.B.Y.", "N.Y.C. Everything", "Mantis", "Holocaust (Silkworm)", "Bobby Did It (Spanish Fly)", "Handwriting on the Wall"

Review: B

[EyesWideOpen]

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc261/gothamcentral79/WU-CHRONICLES-chapter-I-1999.jpg
19. "Wu-Chronicles"

1. "4th Chamber" by GZA, RZA, Ghostface Killah and Killah Priest off GZA's album "Liquid Swords"
2. "Wu-Gambinos" by Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, Masta Killa, RZA and Method Man off Raekwon's album "Only Built for Cuban Linx"
3. "The What" by Notorious B.I.G. and Method Man off Notorious B.I.G.'s album "Ready to Die"
4. "Cold World (RZA Mix)" by GZA, D'Angelo, Streetlife and Inspectah Deck
5. "Tragedy" by RZA off the "Rhyme & Reason Soundtrack"
6. "Black Trump" by Cocoa Brovaz and Raekwon off Cocoa Brovaz's album "The Rude Awakening"
7. "Hip Hop Drunkies" by Tha Alkaholiks and Ol' Dirty Bastard off Tha Alkaholiks album "Likwidation"
8. "Gunz 'N Onez (Iz U Wit Me)" by Heltah Skeltah and Method Man off Heltah Skeltah's album "Magnum Force"
9. "Latunza Hit" by Wu-Syndicate off their self titled debut album
10. "Wake Up" by Killarmy and Sunz of Man off Killarmy's album "Silent Weapons for Quiet Wars"
11. "Young Godz" by Shyheim, Killa Sin, Madman, Rubbabandz, Raekwon and RZA off Shyheim's album "The Lost Generation"
12. "Right Back At You" by Mobb Deep, Big Noyd, Ghostface Killah and Raekwon off Mobb Deep's album "The Infamous"
13. "Whatever Happened (The Birth)" by AZ and RZA off AZ's album "Pieces of a Man"
14. "Semi-Automatic: Full Rap Metal Jacket" by Inspectah Deck, Streetlife and U-God off the "High School High Soundtrack"
15. "The End" by Ras Kass and RZA off Ras Kass's album "Rasassination"
16. "96 Recreation (Demo) by Cappadonna, Ol' Dirty Bastard and RZA


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CE3hb__ylG4

"Wu-Chronicles" is a compilation album featuring songs from Wu solo albums, soundtracks, guest spots on other albums, and unreleased tracks. It was released in March of 1999. About 2/3 of the tracks were produced by the RZA with the rest by various other artists.

The Wu-Tang members had been pretty prolific on soundtracks and making guest appearances on other people's albums from 1993 when they first came out to 1999 when "Wu-Chronicles" dropped and this album is a great sampling of that work. All the songs on here are fantastic although I wish they would have dropped some of the tracks that were already on other Wu albums and added some more of their stuff that you couldn't get at the time with out buying a soundtrack or another groups album for one Wu song (I was the guy who bought every soundtrack and Wu guest appearance back when this came out so I had the majority of these tracks). The RZA has one of his best solo moments on "Tragedy" and on another track "The End" we get to see Ras Kass completely out perform him. Ol' Dirty Bastard's style fits in perfectly with Tha Liks on "Hip Hop Drunkies" and Rae and Ghost bring their usual top notch crime lyrics to their Boot Camp Clik and Mobb Deep appearances. Overall "Wu-Chronicles" is highly recommended if you don't already own most of these tracks on other albums.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tNSnE4Mnhig

Highlights (not listing tracks I had already mentioned on other Wu albums): "Tragedy", "Black Trump", "Hip Hop Drunkies", "Gunz 'N Onez", "Semi-Automatic: Full Rap Metal Jacket", "Right Back at You"

Review: A-

[EyesWideOpen]

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc261/gothamcentral79/wusyndicate.jpg
20. Wu-Syndicate - "Wu-Syndicate"

Wu-Syndicate is a Wu-Tang affiliate group consisting of three members: Joe Mafia, Napolean and Myalansky. The production on this album was mostly handled by DJ Devastator with Allah Mathematics handling two tracks. 12 O' Clock, Trigga, and Ill Knob were the only guest stars.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3DX5xEsE4JI

Yes, the album cover is really that terrible. I bought this back when it came out because it said Wu-Tang on it and had RZA's name on the cover. I listened to it maybe three times before relistening to it today. There are really only three good songs on this cd and two of them are on Wu-Tang compilations that I already posted in this thread. Otherwise it's your run of the mill generic gangsta talk rap album. Nothing about it is bad really just incredibly mediocre with the raps and the beats. I also usually can look past the use of the word "faggot" in hip-hop from this time period but it's used in almost every song and about 20 times in the first song alone. So overall you can pretty much skip this album or just pick out the three good songs.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5eWyGygs-sE

Highlights: "Pointin' Fingers", "Where Was Heaven", "Latunza Hit"

Review: C-

[EyesWideOpen]

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc261/gothamcentral79/ghostdog.jpg
21. Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai - "Soundtrack"

Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai is a film from 1999 that features an original score by the RZA, unfortunately they only released that in Japan. The "soundtrack" that got released everywhere else in April of 1999 is some songs from the movie, some other tracks, and 7 Forest Whitaker quotes from the movie. So if your looking for the RZA instrumentals that are a huge part of the Ghost Dog film they are not on this album. This album features appearances by Wu-Tang Clan, Sunz of Man, 12 O'Clock, Blue Raspberry, Northstar, Black Knights, Kool G Rap, Suga Bang Bang, Tekitha, Superb, Royal Fam, La the Darkman, Melodie, Jeru the Damaja and Afu-Ra.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5chO4D4oGsE

I really like the film Ghost Dog and I really like Forest Whittaker's character but after listening to the quotes once I don't need to again. That leaves the album with 12 actual songs. There's a pretty good mix of Wu-affiliates and other guest stars on this album with Jeru & Afu-Ra, Black Knights, and Northstar really shining. I'm not a fan of 12 O'Clock and he appears on two songs, "Don't Test/Wu Stallion" is a reggae song by Suga Bang Bang that I really don't care for and while I like Tekitha when she's doing hooks on actual Wu songs her solo song here "Walking Through the Darkness" does nothing for me. Other pairings that I expected to be great like RZA & Kool G Rap on "Cakes" are merely good. Overall Ghost Dog has a handful of great tracks, a few decent ones and a handful of skippable ones but I would have much rather they released the actual film score.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h6XNuQGCij8

Highlights: "4 Sho Sho" by Northstar, RZA & Blue Raspberry, "Zip Code" by Black Knights, "East New York Stamp" by Jeru the Damaja & Afu-Ra, "Fast Shadow" by the Wu-Tang Clan, "Samurai Showdown" by the RZA

Review: C

[EyesWideOpen]

Bonus Section: Wu-Tang Soundtrack and Compilation Cuts 1993-1999

The Wu-Tang Clan has been incredibly prolific appearing on tons of movie soundtracks and compilations especially during the 90's when hip-hop soundtracks to movies were big business. I've relistened to pretty much all of them and am listing the one's that aren't just songs taken from or were used on the artists actual album. So most of these are kind of rare or at least probably not known to most people but there are actually a lot of gems and only a few duds.

First up is the "Tales from the Hood Soundtrack" released in May of 1995 and contains three Wu related tracks. "Let Me At Them" is credited to the Wu-Tang Clan but is actually a solo Inspectah Deck song is my favorite of the three while "From the Dark Side" by the Gravediggaz is also great and surpasses most of the songs on the group's debut album "6 Feet Deep". The lesser track is "Ol' Dirty's Back" by Ol' Dirty Bastard & 12 O'Clock which is the start of a theme with most of these songs that if it's a heavily ODB track it's usually not too good.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gNKI7VNCdcg

June of 1995 gave us the excellent "The Riddler" by Method Man off the "Batman Forever Soundtrack". In November of 1995 there were three Wu related tracks on the "One Million Strong" compilation album. "Where Ya At?" is a huge posse track featuring Ice Cube, Ice T, Chuck D, Mobb Deep, RZA, Killah Priest, and a few people no one cares about. The "Where Ya At? (Extended Version)" is also on the album and reuses the RZA and Killah Priest verses but adds verses by Sunz of Man and Brooklyn Zoo. Both versions of the song are ok but nothing worth searching out. The best one of the three is "Wicked Ways" by Sunz of Man & 7th Ambassador.

In April of 1996 there were two high quality Wu tracks on "The Great White Hype Soundtrack". "If It's Alright With You" by Cappadonna & U-God and "Who's the Champion" by Ghostface Killah & RZA. Following in May of 1996 came the song "Nasty Immigrants" by 12 O'Clock & Raekwon off the "Nutty Professor Soundtrack". It's a track with an ok Rae verse but 12 O'Clock is lackluster as usual. The "America Is Dying Slowly" compilation album to benefit AIDS research released in June of 1996 contains the good Wu-Tang Clan & Killah Priest song "America". The "High School High Soundtrack" came out in September and featured two fantastic Wu tracks "Wu-Wear: The Garment Renaissance" by RZA, Method Man & Cappadonna (which is collected on "The RZA Hits" album) and "Semi-Automatic: Full Rap Metal Jacket" by Inspectah Deck, U-God & Streetlife (which is collected on the Wu-Chronicles compilation) In November 1996 Method Man scored another big soundtrack release on the posse cut "Hit Em' High (The Monstar's Anthem)" also featuring B-Real, Busta Rhymes, LL Cool J and Coolio off the "Space Jam Soundtrack".


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CrFggfzduMg

Also in November 1996 came the compilation album "NFL Jams" which is an album teaming up actual rappers with NFL players who are trying to rap with varying degrees of success. Method Man teams up with Ricky Watters on "It's In The Game" and Ghostface Killah gets Andre Rison on "Fast Life". The Meth one is the standout while the Ghost one due to no real fault of his verse is just not a really good song. The "Rhyme & Reason Soundtrack" came out in January of 1997 and featured one of my favorite RZA tracks "Tragedy" (which was collected on the Wu-Chronicles album). DJ Muggs Soul Assassins" compilation was released in March of 1997 (if you don't own it you should it's fantastic and also features the best song Wyclef has ever done) and featured two Wu related tracks "Devil in a Blue Dress" my favorite La the Darkman song and the fantastic "Third World" by RZA & GZA. DJ Muggs is a great fit as a producer to go with the Wu lyricists as seen later on when he teams up with GZA for the "Grandmasters" album.

The "Soul in the Hole Soundtrack" was released in July of 1997 and featured two Wu songs "Diesel" by the Wu-Tang Clan (which was collected on the Legend of Wu-Tang: Wu-Tang's Greatest Hits album) and "Soul in the Hole" credited to the Wu All Stars who are actually Dreddy Krueger, Shyheim, Killa Sin, Tekitha and Timbo King. This is still one of my favorite soundtracks and both songs are definitely worth listening to. The "Hoodlum" soundtrack released in August of 1997 features two lame Wu tracks "Dirty the Moocher" which is credited to the Wu-Tang Clan but is actually a ODB solo song and "So Good" a generic R&B song by Davina & Raekwon (It's interesting that Rae with his lyrics and flow is the last Wu member I would think to be a good fit to guest on an R&B song but he's done the most of probably any of them). "In the Beginning...There was Rap" was a compilation from November 1997 which contains classic hip-hop songs being covered by currrent artists and featured "Sucker MC's" by the Wu-Tang Clan.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nw7Y7Dzr0Zk

In 1998 there was a ton of Wu appearances starting in January with Wu-Tang Clan & Onyx on "The Worst" off the "Ride Soundtrack" which has a great final verse with Method Man and Sticky Fingaz trading lines back and forth. The "Bulworth Soundtrack" from February 1998 has three Wu related tracks "The Chase" by the RZA, "Bulworth (They Talk About It While We Live It)" which features Method Man, KRS-One, Prodigy and Kam which are both standouts and "Ghetto Supastar" a song with Pras, Mya and Ol' Dirty Bastard which has the problem of having one of the least talented rappers of the time period as it's lead. The "He Got Game Soundtrack" from April of 1998 was basically a Public Enemy album and features them and Masta Killa on the track "Resurrection". Also in April came the "I Got the Hook Up Soundtrack" with the track "Who Rock This" by Ol' Dirty Bastard & Mystikal which is an example of why the Wu should never associate themselves with No Limit Records again.

June brought the song "Whatcha Going Do?" off the "Hav Plenty Soundtrack" featuring Jayo Felony, Method Man & DMX. The "Rush Hour Soundtrack" was released in July and featured the song "And You Don't Stop" by the Wu-Tang Clan. In August Funkmaster Flex released his third compilation album "Sixty Minutes of Funk Volume III" which had two Wu related songs "Put Your Hammer Down" by the Wu-Tang Clan and "Wu-Tang Cream Team Lineup" by Raekwon, Method Man, Inspectah Deck, Killa Sin and the Harlem Hoodz. In October the "Slam Soundtrack" had two Wu songs "The Park" a terrible song by Ol' Dirty Bastard & Coolio and "I Can See" by Tekitha & Cappadonna.

Pete Rock released "Soul Survivor" in November (another album you should own if you don't) and it had four tracks with a Wu presence on them. "Tru Master" featuring Inspectah Deck & Kurupt, "Half Man Half Amazin'" featuring Method Man, "The Game" with Ghostface Killah, Raekwon & Prodigy and "Strange Fruit" featuring Tragedy Khadafi, Cappadonna & Sticky Fingaz. All four are highlights and really showcase how fantastic Pete Rock is as a producer. Also in November came the "Belly Soundtrack" with three Wu related songs "Grand Finale" with DMX, Method Man, Nas & Ja Rule, the R&B song "Movin' Out" by Mya with Raekwon & Noreaga, and "Windpipe" by the Wu-Tang Clan. I love Windpipe it's one of my favorite Wu-Tang songs and has one of my top five RZA beats. Finishing off 1998 DJ Clue released a compilation album "The Professional" which featured Raekwon on the song "Brown Paper Bag Thoughts" which would be a lot more listenable if it didn't have DJ Clue yelling sporadically over the song.

They slowed down in 1999 on only seven songs starting in February with the impressive "5 Boroughs" featuring KRS-One, Bounty Killer, Buckshot, Cam'ron, Keith Murray, Killah Priest, Redman, Prodigy, Run & Vigilante from "The Corruptor Soundtrack". In March the song "Giant Size" by Raekwon, Killa Sin & American Cream Team was on "The PJ's Soundtrack". Sway & King Tech released a compilation album "This or That" in June which had two Wu appearances "The Anthem" a posse track with RZA, Tech N9ne, Eminem, Xzibit, Pharoahe Monch, Kool G Rap, Jayo Felony, Chino XL & KRS-One and "Belly of the Beast" a solo track by the RZA. The "Whiteboys Soundtrack" came out in July and had the song "Respect Power" by Raekwon. Rae had another song in August "Blue Diamond" with Chip Banks off the "Blue Streak Soundtrack". And their final track was "Shaolin Worldwide" by the Wu-Tang Clan (collected on the Legend of Wu-Tang: Wu-Tang's Greatest Hits album) off the "Next Friday Soundtrack".

So yeah, a ton of stuff. I think I got all of it except for the NFL Jams 2 compilation album which has GZA on a track but I can't find it even on youtube to listen to.

The cream of the crop:
"Let Me At Them", "From the Darkside", "The Riddler", "Wicked Ways", "If It's Alright With You", "Wu-Wear: The Garment Renaissance", "Semi-Automatic: Full Rap Metal Jacket", "Hit Em' High (The Monstar's Anthem)", "Tragedy", "Devil in a Blue Dress", "Third World", "Diesel", "Soul in the Hole", "The Worst", "The Chase", "Bulworth (They Talk About It While We Live It)", "Put Your Hammer Down", "Wu-Tang Cream Team Lineup", "Tru Master", "Half Man Half Amazin", "The Game", "Strange Fruit", "Windpipe", "5 Boroughs", "The Anthem", "Belly of the Beast"

The good to ok:
"Where Ya At", "Where Ya At (Extended Version)", "Who's the Champion", "Nasty Immigrants", "America", "It's in the Game", "Sucker MC's", "Ghetto Supastar", "Resurrection", "Whatcha Going Do", "And You Don't Stop", "I Can See", "Grand Finale", "Brown Paper Bag Thoughts", "Giant Size", "Respect Power", "Shaolin Worldwide"

The skippable stuff:
"Ol' Dirty's Back", "Fast Life", "Dirty the Moocher", "So Good", "Who Rock This", "The Park", "Movin' Out", "Blue Diamond"

[EyesWideOpen]

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc261/gothamcentral79/gza.jpg
22. GZA - "Beneath the Surface"

GZA's follow up to "Liquid Swords" was released in June 1999. It had guest appearances by Inspectah Deck, RZA, Ol' Dirty Bastard, Masta Killa, Method Man, Killah Priest, Hell Razah, Timbo King, Dreddy Kruger, Njeri Earth, Trigga, Prodigal Sunn and La the Darkman. Production was done by a variety of different Wu-affiliate producers with the RZA only doing one track.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cUdEzN6UWrQ

After the high level GZA achieved on "Liquid Swords" it was almost inevitable that his next album would be considered a disappointment and it was. RZA only produces one song and the album doesn't have that consistent sound that made "Liquid Swords" such a classic. Replacing the kung-fu movie samples are an intro and four skits that are skippable. But even with all that the album still has the GZA so you know you're going to get some good tracks and this album has some great ones. The two production standouts are the RZA track "1112" and the scratchy Arabian Knight produced "Breaker, Breaker". On "Liquid Swords" GZA had a track called "Labels" where he incorporated the names of record labels into the track and he continues that idea here with the track "Publicity" using the names of magazines to great effect. So overall even with the lame skits and the scattershot production there is still a lot to like with "Beneath the Surface" even if it's one of GZA's lesser albums.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eCpRm0-tvKA

Highlights: "Beneath the Surface", "Breaker, Breaker", "1112", "Publicity"

Review: B

[EyesWideOpen]

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc261/gothamcentral79/InspectahDeckUncontrolledSubst ance.jpg
23. Inspectah Deck - "Uncontrolled Substance"

The much delayed Inspectah Deck debut album was finally released in October of 1999. It featured guest appearances by U-God, Masta Killa, La the Darkman, Beretta 9, Killa Sin, Streetlife and Vinia Mojica. Production was done by a variety of producers with Inspectah Deck himself producing six of the tracks and RZA doing two.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZCKYMW68Bf0

"Uncontrolled Substance" is usually considered one of the lesser Wu-Tang solo album by the average Wu fan. The only actual Wu-Tang members that appeared on it were the two least popular members and like "Beneath the Surface" the lack of RZA production led to an overall sound that wasn't as cohesive as Wu fans were used to hearing. I agree with the production complaint but I've always really liked this album. I'd put Inspectah Deck in the top three as far as Wu-Tang lyricists go and while sometimes the production on "Uncontrolled Substance" especially near the middle of the album doesn't stand up to his vocals there is a lot to like. Both RZA produced tracks "Movas & Shakers" and "Friction" along with the two 4th Disciple tracks "9th Chamber" and "The Grand Prix" are the production standouts. Unfortunately the Pete Rock produced "Trouble Man" is mediocre and doesn't stand up to the stuff on his own "Soul Survivor" album. I think people were spoiled after the highs of "Only Built for Cuban Linx", "Liquid Swords" and "Iron Man" but "Uncontrolled Substance" while not on the same level as those albums is a good album in it's own right.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xMT8WbKYz9I

Highlights: "Movas & Shakers", "9th Chamber", "The Grand Prix", "Longevity", "R.E.C. Room", "Friction", "Show N Prove"

Review: B+

[EyesWideOpen]

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc261/gothamcentral79/ol-dirty-bastard-nigga-please-cd-cover-11421.jpg
24. Ol' Dirty Bastard - "Nigga Please"

ODB's follow up album came out in September 1999. It featured guest appearances by Chris Rock, Kelis, 12 O'Clock, La the Darkman, Shorty Shit Stain and Lil Mo. Production was handled by a variety of artists with RZA doing four tracks and The Neptunes producing three.

This album actually came out before "Uncontrolled Substance" but I had forgot about it because it sucks. I remember listening to it a couple times back when it came out and not liking it and a relisten hasn't changed my mind. I've mentioned before that ODB is my least favorite member but at the same time he's done great work on group tracks and even had some standout songs on his debut album but "Nigga Please" doesn't contain even one song I would ever want to listen to again. More misogynistic sex rhymes and childish ramblings then actual songs I at least expected to like the RZA production but even that isn't good.

Review: F

[EyesWideOpen]

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc261/gothamcentral79/methodmanblackout.jpg

25. Method Man & Redman - "Blackout!"

"Blackout!" was released in September 1999. It featured guest appearances by LL Cool J, Ja Rule, Blue Raspberry, Ghostface Killah, Streetlife, Mally G and Young Zee. Production was mainly handled by Erick Sermon who produced 9 of the album's 19 tracks with RZA and Mathematics doing 2 tracks apiece.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-PfpEUh02s

It's hard for me to review this album. I don't consider any of the songs to be bad but I'm just not a fan of the Method Man and Redman sound. The Erick Sermon production (who handles half the album) is incredibly bland. The wordplay between Red & Meth does nothing for me. I can barely tell any of their verses apart. The two RZA tracks are the highlights with Streetlife on "Run 4 Cover" giving the best verse on the album. I know I'm in the minority but besides the three highlights I never listen to "Blackout!".


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-z-EGRbtxlw

Highlights: "Cereal Killer", "Da Rockwilder", "Run 4 Cover"

Review: C-

[EyesWideOpen]

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc261/gothamcentral79/ugod.jpg

26. U-God - "Golden Arms Redemption"

U-God released his debut solo album in Oct 1999. It featured production by a variety of producers with RZA and True Master handling three songs each. Guest appearances by Inspectah Deck, Method Man, Raekwon, Hell Razah and Leatha Face.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qGMdh7GnsFo

U-God is easily the most slept on member of the Wu-Tang Clan but I've always liked him. He doesn't have the same lyrical ability that most of the other members do but he has a good flow and has contributed some great verses on Wu-Tang albums. So no surprise to me "Golden Arms Redemption" is a really good album. U-God is able to carry an album by himself a lot better then let's say Method Man can. There are 15 tracks and he's by himself on 10 of them. The production is solid with my only complaint being the poor quality on most of the hooks/choruses. Leatha Face one of U-God's proteges appears on three of the tracks and he does a pretty good job as do the other guest appearances. I recommend giving this album a listen if you haven't before.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4oCCWz0ODRc

Highlights: "Turbulence", "Glide", "Rumble", "Shell Shock", "Bizarre", "Pleasure or Pain"

Review: B

[EyesWideOpen]

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc261/gothamcentral79/shyheim1.jpghttp://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc261/gothamcentral79/Shyheim2.jpg
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27. Shyheim "Aka The Rugged Child", "The Lost Generation", and "Manchild"

Shyheim is one of the original Wu-Tang affiliates and one of the first to get solo recognition. He released his debut album "Aka the Rugged Child" at the age of 15 in 1994. His followup "The Lost Generation" came out in 1996 and "Manchild" his first release on Wu-Tang Records was released in 1999.

"Aka the Rugged Child" is a surprisingly solid debut release for a 15 year old. It doesn't have a Wu-Tang sound (although RZA produced one track) it's got more of a early 90's east coast hip-hop vibe (ex. Das Efx or Gang Starr) in the production and lyrics. His voice hadn't dropped yet so he sounds way different on the first album then on anything after but his flow and lyrics are still there and quite advanced for his age. No really standout tracks but a good album.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Mh5ruwV_kA

"The Lost Generation" is a decent album with one standout track on it ("Young Godz" which was collected on the Wu-Chronicles album) and a few good ones ("5 Elements" & "Shaolin Style") The production sound is pretty similar to what was on his debut but his rapping quality had improved.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ONUAsfzlmg8

After his fantastic cut "Co-Defendant" off the Swarm compilation album I was pretty excited for his album "Manchild" but after the first few tracks disappointment set in. The production quality which is a recurring problem for a lot of Wu-Tang affiliates is quite bland here and besides the two standout tracks "Furious Anger" featuring Big L and "I Declare War" most of the other tracks are pretty forgettable.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JVyfYiAenZY

I really like Shyheim as a rapper. It's too bad he hasn't gotten the production that's needed to craft a really great album.

Highlights: "Young Godz", "Furious Anger", "I Declare War"

Overall Review for the three albums: C

[EyesWideOpen]

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc261/gothamcentral79/raekwon2.jpg
28. Raekwon - "Immobilarity"

Raekwon's second album came out in November of 1999. It featured guest appearance by Method Man, Masta Killa, American Cream Team, Big Bub and Kim Stephens. Production was handled by a variety of different producers with Six July and Pete Rock each doing a track.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0HSEH3HfrI

It's starting to become a trend but most of the Wu-Tang solo follow up albums are huge letdowns compared to their debuts and "Immobilarity" is no different. There is zero RZA presence on the album and only two songs with Wu-Tang members on them. This shows how much someone like Raekwon relies on top notch production to keep his gangster lyrics from getting repetitive otherwise like in the case of "Immobilarity" you have an average album with nothing to make it standout. It's got some good songs mixed in (the Pete Rock produced "Sneakers" being one of them) and besides the four skits the only song which is just terrible is "All I Got Is You Part 2" which isn't even remotely on the same level as the original Ghostface track. Thankfully the next album on my list came around and got the Wu back on track.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6H6Fw-0NPzg

Highlights: "Power", "Live From New York", "The Table", "Sneakers"

Review: C

[EyesWideOpen]

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29. Ghostface Killah - "Supreme Clientele"

"Meet the black Boy George"

Ghost released his follow up album in January of 2000. It featured guest appearances by RZA, Raekwon, Method Man, Cappadonna, Masta Killa, U-God, GZA, Superb, Redman, 60 Second Assassin, Chip Banks, Hell Razah & Solomon Childs. It featured production by a variety of Wu producers with RZA doing six tracks, Mathematics handling two and Inspectah Deck producing one.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_JhD0HUGYQ

Let me get the bad out of the way first. The skits are like usual on most Wu-tang records terrible and most are 3-4 minutes long. "Who Would You Fuck" is pretty offensive and "Clyde Smith" is just pathetic with Raekwon using voice distortion to talk shit about 50 Cent.

Now on to the good stuff, one of the best Wu-Tang intro's ever and a theme that will pop up throughout the album with the use of old Iron Man cartoon samples. The RZA gives him some great production especially on "Buck 50" and "Stroke of Death" both some of my favorite RZA beats of all time. The production by Juju of The Beatnuts on "One" is another highlight. Ghostface had also taken his abstract rhyme style to it's peak with this album (on future albums he starts to rely too heavily on the generic gangsta rhymes that Rakewon has). Most people seem to prefer "Supreme Clientele" to "Ironman" but I like his debut slightly more.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bMxXmVVR4wE

Highlights: "Nutmeg", "One", "Apollo Kids", "Buck 50", "Mighty Healthy", "Wu Banga 101", "Stroke of Death"

Lowlights: The Skits ("Woodrow the Basehead", "Iron's Theme Intermission", "Who Would You Fuck", "Clyde Smith", "Iron's Theme Conclusion")

Review: A-

[Ezee E]

Yeah, that might be my favorite solo album by a wu-member.

[ledfloyd]

everything between wu tang forever and supreme clientele is pretty dismal. imo. caveats: i haven't heard wu-chronicles, or that gza album, which i really need to.

[EyesWideOpen]

Yeah, that might be my favorite solo album by a wu-member.

It's pretty great. It would make my top ten for sure.

[EyesWideOpen]

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc261/gothamcentral79/killah_priest_view_from_masada _2000_retail_cd-front.jpg

30. Killah Priest - "View From Masada"

Killah Priest released his second album in May of 2000. He had cut ties with the Wu-Tang clan and his group Sunz of Man some time after the release of his first album so "View From Masada" features no guest appearances or production by Wu-Tang members. It did feature production by Just Blaze on three tracks before he was well known.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-ImjrD_mJQ

This is actually the first time I've listened to this album. I've always liked Priest as a lyricist but when he disassociated himself from the Wu I gave up on him which is too bad because again he comes with another ok album. My complaints about his low-key flow are addressed early on in the tracklist where he's rhyming with passion but as the album goes on the rapping and the production starts to lose the spark and we end up with another album that's a mixed bag. There are some good performances by Ras Kass and Canibus who Priest along with Kurupt started a group called The Four Horsemen.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWRiXqiKy5U

Highlights: "View From Masada", "Hard Times", "What Part of the Game?", "Bop Your Head (Priesthood)"

Review: C+

[EyesWideOpen]

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31. Wu-Tang Clan - "The W"

The Wu-Tang Clan released their third group album in November 2000. It featured guest apperances by Cappadonna, Junior Reid, Snoop Dogg, Nas, Isaac Hayes, Streetlife, Busta Rhymes & Redman. The album was produced by RZA except for two tracks done by Mathematics.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Pfs8OR2BI8

I was pretty disappointed the first few times I listened to "The W" back when it released. Their two previous group albums were brilliant and it had a lot to live up too. Listening to it now, it still doesn't compare to the first two albums but it's a solid album and better then most of the solo releases. The production overall is fantastic. Not a weak beat in the bunch, the knock I have against "The W" is it almost feels like alot of the members are sleepwalking through their verses not bringing the usual intensity that you expect from a "Wu-Tang" album. Snoop Dogg is not a good fit for the Wu sound so luckily they put him on the only song Ol' Dirty Bastard (he was incarcerated while "The W" was recording) appears on "Conditioner" which despite the great RZA beat is mediocre until the actual song is finished and GZA does a freestyle at the end to at least somewhat redeem the track. "Protect Ya Neck (The Jump Off)" is a killer posse cut featuring every member except for ODB and stands up as one of the best group tracks they've ever recorded.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J4DstV1Ge7M

Highlights: "Intro (Shaolin Finger Jab)/Chamber Music", "Protect Ya Neck (The Jump Off)", "Gravel Pit", "Hollow Bones", "Do You Really? (Thang, Thang)", "The Monument", "Let My Niggas Live"

Review: B

[Winston*]

All of those songs over I Can't Go to Sleep?

[EyesWideOpen]

All of those songs over I Can't Go to Sleep?

It's an ok song but not one of my favorites on the album.

[EyesWideOpen]

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc261/gothamcentral79/Cappayinyang.jpg

32. Cappadonna - "The Yin and the Yang"

In April 2001 Cappadonna released his second album. It featured guest appearances by Ghostface Killah, Raekwon, Agallah, Killah Priest, Neonek, Jermaine Dupri, Da Brat, Jamie Sommers, Shyheim, Crunch, Timbo King, Freemurda & Culture. Production was handled by a mix of producers with True Master, Inspectah Deck & Jermaine Dupri each doing a track each.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hc_1jjWZ96Y

You can pretty much copy and paste my review of Cap's first album "The Pillage" on to this one. A slightly above average album with a few good tracks. It sounds like he's trying to find something that will work on "The Yin and the Yang". There's a reggae style song, a sped up vocals song, a poppy Jermaine Dupri song, a corny R&B tinged Raekwon song and none of these work as well as when he's just doing "Wu" music. He's also got to get someone on writing his hooks, the low quality plagued him on his first album and continues here. "Revenge" is an example it's a great track with a lame chorus. If you don't like Cappadonna before I don't think this album is going to change your mind but for fans it's a decent enough listen.

Side note: Wikipedia has two tracks listed on the album ("Why It Got To Be Like This?" & "Real Niggaz") that aren't on the cd I have and aren't listed as being on any versions of the album I can find (itunes, amazon, rhapsody). I listened to them on youtube and they're pretty mediocre anyways.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8Xydp3cif0

Highlights: "The Grits", "War Rats", "Bread of Life", "Revenge"

Review: C+

[EyesWideOpen]

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33. Remedy - "The Genuine Article"

Remedy (the first white and jewish Wu-Tang affiliate) released his debut album in April of 2001. It featured guest appearances by RZA, Cappadonna, Solomon Childs, Sweetleaf, Clocka, Lounge Lo and Children of the World. Remedy produced the whole album except for one track "Warning" which was produced by 4th Disciple.

My review of this album is just to stick with "The Swarm" compilation album which has "Never Again" on it which is his only song I've heard that I would want to listen to again. The rest of the album is just average with lackluster appearances by RZA and Cappadonna and some bland production by Remedy. The song "Whiteboy" makes my ears hurt as do the two songs that have Sweetleaf singing on them. "Words to Live By" and "Calm But Deadly" are the best of the rest but nothing great.

Review: C-

[EyesWideOpen]

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34. "Wu-Chronicles Chapter II"

1. Gang Starr featuring Inspectah Deck "Above the Clouds" off Gang Starr's album "Moment of Truth"
2. Shyheim, 12 O'Clock and Prodigal Sunn "Re-Up"
3. GZA featuring RZA, Hell Razah, Timbo King and Dreddy Kruger "Hip Hop Fury" off GZA's album "Beneath the Surface"
4. Buddah Monk featuring Ol' Dirty Bastard and Drunken Dragon "Got's Like Come on Thru" off Buddah Monk's album "The Prophecy"
5. Shyheim "In Trouble"
6. Popa Wu featuring Method Man, King Just and Sic "Three Amigos (If It's On)" off Popa Wu's album "Visions of the Tenth Chamber"
7. RZA featuring Method Man "NYC Everything" off RZA's album "Bobby Digital in Stereo"
8. U-God featuring Method Man, Inspectah Deck and Leatha Face "Rumble" off U-God's album "Golden Arms Redemption"
9. Gravediggaz "Dangerous Mindz" off their album "The Pick, the Sickle and the Shovel"
10. U-God featuring Leatha Face "To the Rescue"
11. Jon Spencer Blues Explosion featuring Killah Priest "Greyhound Part 2 (GZA Remix)" off Jon Spencer Blues Explosion's album "Experimental Remixes"
12. DJ Spooky featuring Killah Priest "Catechism"
13. D'Angelo featuring Method Man and Redman "Left & Right" off D'Angelo's album "Voodoo"
14. Bounty Killer featuring Masta Killa "Eyes a Bleed (RZA Remix)"
15. Spice 1 featuring Method Man "Hard to Kill" off Spice 1's album "AmeriKKKa's Nightmare"
16. Black Knights "Only 4 My Niggas"

"Wu-Chronicles Chapter II" was released in July 2001. It features some tracks from Wu-Tang solo albums, some guest appearances and some unreleased songs.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ucvta7xDo_4

4 out of the 17 tracks here the average Wu-Tang fan is already going to have since they appear on Wu-Tang solo albums and the Gravediggaz follow up album. So that leaves me with 13 tracks most of which I hadn't heard before this album. "Above the Clouds" which is the best of these tracks (I had heard this one from the Gang Starr album) with a killer DJ Premier beat and great lyrics by Guru and Inspectah Deck. The two tracks featuring Killah Priest are nice finds since I don't listen to the artists whose tracks he appeared on. I'm not a big reggae fan so besides the Masta Killa verse the Bounty Killer song does nothing for me. And I don't know what's up with that Black Knights song. They had two good appearances on "The Swarm" album but "Only 4 My Niggas" sounds like some b-side from a Dogg Pound album. Overall though it does what a good compilation should gives you some good tracks that you wouldn't have found on your own.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LeK1pU3cyg

Highlights (not listing tracks I had already mentioned on other Wu albums): "Above the Clouds", "Three Amigos (If It's On)", "To The Rescue", "Greyhound Part 2 (GZA Remix)", "Catechism"

Lowlights: "Left & Right", "Eyes A Bleed (RZA Remix)", "Hard To Kill", "Only 4 My Niggas"

Review: B

[EyesWideOpen]

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35. RZA as Bobby Digital - "Digital Bullet"

RZA released his second solo album in August 2001. It featured guest appearances by Method Man, Masta Killa, GZA, Ol' Dirty Bastard, Beretta 9, Streetlife, Force MD's, Big Gipp, Prodigal Sunn, Killa Sin, Solomon Childs, Ndira, Jamie Sommers, Madame Cez, Black Knights, Junior Reid, Tekitha, Cilvaringz, Doc Gyneco and Intrigue. Production was mainly handled by the RZA with additional production by Mathematics, Tony Touch and True Master.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iERu_cEILoI

This album is a massive disappointment. The first Bobby Digital album had some amazing production combined with some great guest appearances which enabled me to overlook some of the more misogynistic RZA lyrics. "Digital Bullet" ups the misogynist levels, has overall pretty unimpressive production and has pretty weak guest work especially considering the huge number of guests on the album. RZA at this point had become really low level in his rapping ability. "Sickness" is the only good song on the album that isn't completely carried by a guest and it's the only song which reminded me that he used to be a quality rapper before all this Bobby Digital nonsense.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KJpFq1xzXdw

Highlights: "Do U", "Sickness", "Cousins", "Glocko Pop (if you ignore the RZA intro)"

Lowlights: "Domestic Violence Pt. 2", "Black Widow Pt. 2", "Shady", "Bong Bong", "Righteous Way"

Review: D+

[EyesWideOpen]

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36. Killarmy - "Fear, Love & War"

Killarmy's third album was released on September 11, 2001. It had guest appearances by U-God, Prodigal Sunn, Frukwan, Lord Superb and Polite. Production was mainly handled by 4th Disciple with Falling Down, Rebel Dainja and The Infinite Arkatechz also contributing.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AYn6I99zCoI

(Disclaimer: I lost this album awhile ago so I had to do this relisten from youtube so I didn't hear the skits or two of the songs which I can't find online anywhere. After listening to a few songs I immediately went on amazon and reordered a copy since it's not available on itunes or amazon mp3.)

Another solid Killarmy record. At this point all of the members are holding their own even 9th Prince who I haven't cared much for before this album is doing good work. High quality production throughout with 4th Disciple continuing to show he's one of the top Wu-Tang beat makers. The only annoying thing about the album is the song "Day One" is an edited version and isn't available in an unedited format anywhere. I can't stand edited songs. But otherwise Killarmy is still doing what they do best. Unfortunately this is the last album they've released as a group. The members have released a bunch of solo stuff but no new Killarmy record since 2001 unless you count the greatest hits album that came out a couple months ago. So if you haven't listened to them yet give one of their albums a shot (I still slightly prefer "Dirty Weaponry" but all three are great). As far as Wu-Tang affiliates go their top of my list.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3MGb1nuvTs

Highlights: "The Push", "Militant", "Street Monopoly", "Whatever We Want", "Monster", "Nonchalantly"

Review: B+

[EyesWideOpen]

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37. Ghostface Killah - "Bulletproof Wallets"

Ghostface's third solo album was released in November 2001. It featured guest appearances by Raekwon, Method Man, Superb, Trife, Twiz, Killa Sin, Prodigal Sunn, Tekitha, Carl Thomas, Madame Majestic and Ruff Endz. Production was handled by a variety of producers with RZA, Alchemist, Mathematics and Six July being the notables.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUSep2DNeD8

What a disappointment. After two amazing albums Ghostface dropped this dud. We see almost none of his "abstract rhyme style" which he does so well instead he's content to spit generic crime stories or give us generic R&B tinged tracks. I wish they understood that having classic R&B samples works great with the Wu-Tang sound. Having Tekitha or Blue Raspberry sing on a song "usually" works great with the Wu-Tang sound. Even having Ghostface sing on a song works great with the Wu-Tang sound. Having Carl Thomas, Ruff Endz or Madame Majestic sing on a song does not. "Strawberry" starts off with a great Mathematics beat and a hot verse by Killa Sin and then Ghost comes on and ruins it with some terrible sex nonsense. "The Forest" has a great Alchemist beat and Ghost uses it to have another generic crime song but with the names of cartoon characters inserted throughout. There are at least a few redeeming qualities. We get "Theodore" which is a quality posse cut introducing Trife who becomes a Ghost regular and member of his Theodore Unit squad. Trife along with Killa Sin and Prodigal Sunn put in great work on the album outshining Raekwon and the majority of Ghost's own verses on the album.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ETEnXCnXWOo

Highlights: "Theodore", "The Hilton", "Street Chemistry", "Ghost Showers" (besides the Madame Majestic chorus)

Lowlights: "Never Be The Same Again", "Love Session"

Review: C-

[Winston*]

I assume you've heard the song "The Sun", that got cut from that album? It's so great.

esVEocL5uWg

[EyesWideOpen]

Yep. It's superior to anything that made it on the actual album. "The Sun", "Good Times" and "The Watch" which were all supposed to be on this album ended up on the Ghostface Killah "Hidden Darts" album.

[Ezee E]

I think I've liked all of Ghostface's albums.

[Ezee E]

Weren't Ghostface and Danger Mouse suppose to collaborate on an album? Is it out?

[EyesWideOpen]

Weren't Ghostface and Danger Mouse suppose to collaborate on an album? Is it out?

Do you mean Ghostface and MF Doom? Because they've been supposedly working on an album together for a couple years now and I doubt it'll ever come out.

I know Ghost guested on the Danger Mouse & MF Doom / Danger Doom album but I haven't heard of Ghost and Danger Mouse working on an album together.

[Ezee E]

Do you mean Ghostface and MF Doom? Because they've been supposedly working on an album together for a couple years now and I doubt it'll ever come out.

I know Ghost guested on the Danger Mouse & MF Doom / Danger Doom album but I haven't heard of Ghost and Danger Mouse working on an album together.
Yeah, it was Ghostface and MF DOom. I think it was suppose to be called Ghostdoom or something.

[EyesWideOpen]

Yeah, it was Ghostface and MF DOom. I think it was suppose to be called Ghostdoom or something.

It's now supposed to be called Swift & Changeable. It was announced in 2006 and the last info on it was from August of 2010 and it was already heavily delayed then so who knows when if ever it will come out.

[EyesWideOpen]

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc261/gothamcentral79/Ironflagcover.jpg
38. Wu-Tang Clan - "Iron Flag"

The Wu-Tang's fourth group album was released in December of 2001. It featured guest appearances by Streetlife, 12 O'Clock, Prodigal Sunn, Suga Bang Bang, Madame D, Flavor Flav and Ron Isley. Production was mainly handled by the RZA with other tracks by Mathematics, True Master, Nick "Fury" Loftin and Trackmasters.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1XXRphjn74

This album came out almost a year after "The W" and it definitely feels rushed. The production lacks cohesiveness and some of the songs like "Dashing" which uses "Jingle Bells" as the chorus seem like they had no clue what they were doing. They found a new terrible R&B voice to ruin songs Madame D who ruins any chance "Chrome Wheels" and "Babies" had by telling us "to bang that shit retarded" and other nonsense. The best song on the album "Uzi (Pinky Ring)" is edited for unknown reasons although thankfully it's available unedited on their "Legend of the Wu-Tang: Greatest Hits" album. Besides that there are a few good songs but this is no way up to the standards that I expect from a Wu-Tang group album.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VRcLsW1ZUNg

Highlights: "Rules", "Y'all Been Warned", "Radioactive (Four Assassins)", "Iron Flag"

Review: C

[Ezee E]

I own that album, but remember nothing about it. Hmph.

[EyesWideOpen]

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc261/gothamcentral79/The_Sting_-_Killa_Beez.jpg
39. Wu-Tang Killa Beez - "The Sting"

"The Sting" is a follow up compilation album to "The Swarm". It was released in March of 2002. It featured appearances by RZA, U-God, Inspectah Deck, Ol' Dirty Bastard, Ghostface Killah, Method Man, Cappadonna, Suga Bang Bang, Blue Raspberry, Solomon Childs, Black Knights, Warcloud, Killarmy, Prodigal Sunn, Lord Superb, Intrique, Shyheim, 12 O'Clock, Timbo King, Crisis, Meko the Pharaoh, Cilvaringz, Northstar, CCF Division, P.C., ShaCronz, Isaac Hayes Band, Beretta 9, Doc Doom, Madam Scheez, Free Murda, Force MD's, Fat Joe and Ndira. 16 of the 23 tracks were produced by the RZA.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cGxyRgGv55E

If you recall I loved "The Swarm". It was a testament to the fact that alot of the Wu affiliates could be just as strong as the main members if they brought their best stuff and had great production. "The Sting" shows what happens when you have Wu affiliates bringing weak stuff with weak production to go along with it. There are exceptions of course. Warcloud (formerly known as Holocaust and a member of Black Knights that left the group) is the surprise highlight. He's given a solo song and appears on a posse cut and his verses are amazing. I've never picked up his solo stuff but I'm definitely gonna search it out now. Killarmy and Prodigal Sunn keep up their high quality work on "Dancing With Wolves" and most of the appearances by the main Wu-Tang members are good.

The problem is that this album is heavily weighed towards the West Coast Wu affiliates and most of them aren't good. Black Knights a group I've mentioned as being terrible on multiple other album reviews continue their streak and they appear on five of the songs. There is a lot of people trying to sound like Tupac and a lot of "boingy" DJ Quik sounding production.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mTVIgqor2dA

The version I have contained a second disc (future printings only had the first disc) with six RZA tracks none of them being anything special, one being an instrumental and one "La Rhumba (Remix)" being terrible.

Highlights: "Killa Beez" by RZA, U-God, Inspectah Deck, Suga Bang Bang and Blue Raspberry, "Bluntz, Martinez, Girlz & Gunz" by Warcloud, "Dancing With Wolves" by Killarmy and Prodigal Sunn, "Take Up Space" by Lord Superb and Solomon Childs, "Woodchuck" by Warcloud, Timbo King, Crisis, Cilvaringz and Meko the Pharoah

Lowlights: "Bar Mitzvah" by Black Knights, "Hatin Don't Pay" by CCF Division and P.C., "La Rhumba (Remix)" by RZA, Fat Joe, Method Man and Ndira

Review: C-

[EyesWideOpen]

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc261/gothamcentral79/normal_gravediggaz_-_nightmare_in_a_minor_front.jp ghttp://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc261/gothamcentral79/gravediggaznigh.jpg
40. Gravediggaz - "Nightmare in A-Minor"

The Gravediggaz third and final album was first released sometime in 2001 and then re-released in 2002. The re-release removed two of the tracks and had different production on a few other tracks most likely due to licensing issues. At this point in the Gravediggaz neither Prince Paul or RZA were a part of the group anymore which left Frukwan and Too Poetic as the Gravediggaz torchbearers on "Nightmare in A-Minor". Too Poetic died of colon cancer shortly before this final album was released. It featured guest appearances by Prodigal Sunn, Killarmy and Prince Paul (who only appeared on the intro). Production was mainly handled by Frukwan and Too Poetic with two tracks produced by True Master.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=45yIm59RI1M

This was actually my first time listening to this album (I picked up the 2001 original release) and I was pleasantly surprised. Frukwan and Too Poetic did a great job holding down the Gravediggaz name with a good mix of the feel of their two previous albums. They only have guests on three of the songs so lyrically they are both given plenty of time to shine. Too Poetic had been dealing with colon cancer for almost two years when this album was released so he brings a lot of introspection to his lyrics and in hindsight of his death it added to my listening experience. This album is probably not going to blow you away but if you're a Gravediggaz fan "Nightmare in A-Minor" fits nicely right next to their two other more well known albums.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C7HpPOjeM3g

Highlights: "False Things Must Perish", "Current Events", "Bloodshed", "Wanna Break"

Review: B-

[ledfloyd]

new wu-tang song (http://www.avclub.com/articles/stream-a-song-from-the-upcoming-wutang-clan-album,58418/)

i'll throw this in here. i dig it.

[EyesWideOpen]

new wu-tang song (http://www.avclub.com/articles/stream-a-song-from-the-upcoming-wutang-clan-album,58418/)

i'll throw this in here. i dig it.

Yes. That is great and gives me high hopes for Legendary Weapons. Sean Price fits in well with them. I really like his new Random Axe album.

[EyesWideOpen]

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc261/gothamcentral79/sunzofmansaviorz.jpg
41. Sunz of Man - "Saviorz Day"

Released in September of 2002 Sunz of Man's second album featured appearances by RZA, Ghostface Killah, Method Man, 12 O'Clock, Madame D, Ancient Coins, Omar Conry, Smooth, MC Eiht, Makeba Mooncycle and La the Darkman. Production was handled by a variety of non-notable producers.

This album sucks. I really don't have too much more to say about it. Madame D who is a horrible R&B singer who I've hated on previous Wu related albums does the hooks for four of the tracks on this album. The first Sunz of Man album wasn't great but it was still a solid album this one I couldn't even listen to all the way through. I had to stop half way and listen to the second half a few days later. Skip this album.

This album had a sticker on the cover saying that it featured Method Man. He only appears for a few seconds on a skit. Half the covers I found for this online have the album cover as "Savior's Day" the other half say "Saviorz Day".

Review: D

[EyesWideOpen]

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc261/gothamcentral79/GzaLegend.jpg

42. GZA/Genius - "Legend of the Liquid Sword"

GZA released his fourth solo album (counting his pre-Wu "Words From the Genius" album) in December 2002. It featured guest appearances by Ghostface Killah, RZA, Masta Killa, Inspectah Deck, Streetlife, Prodigal Sunn, 12 O'Clock, Santigold, Armel, Anthony Allen & Governor Two's. Production was handled by a mix of people most notably RZA, GZA, Bink!, DJ Muggs, Jaz-O, Mathematics and Arabian Knight.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRiFwtXchFo

Let me get the bad out of the way first: Another Wu-Tang album with edited songs. Even on the explicit disc version there are 4-5 songs that are edited. This is ridiculous. They sell a edited version of the album if people wanted edited versions they would buy that one. We also get another case of bad R&B and reggae choruses with Anthony Allen and Governor Two's ruining the otherwise good tracks "Highway Robbery" and "Legend of the Liquid Sword". Onto the good: GZA is fantastic lyrically as always. He has 10 tracks with no guest rappers where the focus stays on him. The production while for the most part is nothing flashy it highlights GZA's flow well. All the guest stars except for the above mentioned song ruiners and the always regrettable 12 O'Clock put in good work.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xMF7TgHGozk

I honestly don't think the GZA has it in him to make a bad album. He's too talented as a lyricist. Both "Beneath the Surface" and "Legend of the Liquid Sword" aren't up to "Liquid Swords" level but they are still solid albums.

Highlights: "Silent", "Fam (Members Only)", "Fame", "Luminal", "Sparring Minds", "Uncut Material"

Review: B

[EyesWideOpen]

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc261/gothamcentral79/9thprince.jpg
43. 9th Prince - "Granddaddy Flow"

9th Prince (of Killarmy fame and also younger brother of the RZA) released his first solo album in May 2003. It featured guest appearances by RZA, Killarmy, T.M.F., Ruthless Bastardz and Rubbabandz. Production was handled by RZA, Rebel Danja, 4th Disciple, True Master, Falling Down, Storm, Freedom and Cheese.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5pe8gFyJgLI

I was pleasantly surprised by "Granddaddy Flow". 9th Prince is a rapper who is good but not one of my favorite Killarmy members so I wasn't expecting much. But he comes with a very good album that holds up well with the Killarmy group albums. The production is very strong with Rebel Danja using strings and samples to great effect on "Camouflage Children" being my personal favorite. The guest appearances are high quality also. RZA brings the fire on "Tribute to the 5th Brother" which I wish he would do more often. My favorite Killarmy member Dom Pachino aka P.R. Terrorist appears on three songs and he doesn't disappoint. I've been meaning to pick up some of his solo albums since he has a bunch and this was a good reminder to do it.

I continue to be impressed by Killarmy's output and since I haven't really listened to much of their solo stuff I'm looking forward to listening to more.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9r9smz2lrOw

Highlights: "Camouflage Children", "Generation Next", "Kill or Be Killed", "Cold Wind", "Slang Killaz", "Tribute to the 5th Brother", "Originators"

Review: B

[EyesWideOpen]

I decided to go through the actual Wu-members and Wu-Tang group albums first and then I'll go back and review the notable affiliate albums.

[EyesWideOpen]

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc261/gothamcentral79/inspectahdeckthemovement.jpg
44. Inspectah Deck - "The Movement"

Inspectah Deck released his second solo album in May 2003. It featured production by Phantom of the Beats, Ayatollah, Arabian Knight and Falling Down. It only featured guest appearances on three songs with Streetlife, Kool G Rap, Killa Sin and Mojehan as the guests.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jAYmf5iwNho

Another Wu-Tang member with a disappointing follow-up album. This is the first Wu-Tang solo member album without any appearances by other Wu-Tang members and none of the main Wu producers on beats. So as you can guess this album doesn't sound very Wu-Tangy. The production sounds like your average early 2000 east coast hip-hop album and with Inspectah Deck who is usually a very charismatic rapper putting in mostly mediocre work this album doesn't stand out. Kool G Rap and Killa Sin both put in good verses on "Framed" and Inspectah Deck starts out the album well with an energetic performance on "City High" and then again on "Vendetta" but otherwise this is an album you can skip.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=555cdokPNa0

This is another one of those just kind of forgettable Wu solo albums. It doesn't do anything bad but there isn't much reason to listen to it when there is so much better Wu material out there.

Highlights: "City High", "Framed (minus the terrible hook), "Vendetta"

Review: C

[EyesWideOpen]

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc261/gothamcentral79/rzabirth.jpg

45. RZA - "Birth of a Prince"

RZA's third album was released in October 2003. It featured guest appearances by Ol' Dirty Bastard, Ghostface Killah, Masta Killa, CCF Division, Prodigal Sunn, Allah Real, Cilvaringz, Featherz, Tash Mahogany, Erica Bryant & Kinetic 9. Production was mainly handled by the RZA with help from True Master, Bronze Nazareth, Megahertz, Choco & Barracuda.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LkzDwYtZ3kU

I was really excited when this album was released. RZA's last album "Digital Bullet" was awful but this was going to be his first album just credited to "RZA" and not his "Bobby Digital" moniker. I was looking forward to having the old RZA back. And he is back sporadically throughout the album but it's about half RZA and half Bobby Digital. Because of that it's really hard to review "Birth of a Prince". Some of my favorite RZA songs ever like "The Birth" and "See the Joy" are on it but there is also some absolute garbage like "Drink, Smoke & Fuck" and "Drop Off".


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FeoxBWe6kes

The RZA production is good although a far cry from his early stuff. Bronze Nazareth produces two songs and they are two of my favorites on the album. The Ghostface, Masta Killa, Prodigal Sunn, Tash Mahogany and Cilvaringz verses are all decent but none of the guest stuff is really noteworthy. If you're a Wu-Tang fan and have been skipping this album due to bad reviews I'd say at least check out some of the highlights. There are some classic tracks mixed in with the mediocre.

Highlights: "A Day to God is 1,000 Years", "The Birth", "Grits", "See the Joy", "You'll Never Know", "Koto Chotan"

Lowlights: "Drink, Smoke & Fuck", "Drop Off", "We Pop"

Review: C

[EyesWideOpen]

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc261/gothamcentral79/wu-tang-legendary-weapons-300x300-2011-07-26.jpg

Wu-Tang Clan - "Legendary Weapons"

"Legendary Weapons" was released in July 2011. It features all the main Wu-Tang members except GZA and Masta Killa. Other guests are Sean Price, Trife Diesel, Roc Marciano, Killa Sin, Cappadonna, AZ, M.O.P., Tre Williams, Bronze Nazareth, Action Bronson, Termanology and Rev. William Burks.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_rnwQ7Pjzc

I got this album from itunes since it had a bonus track and it doesn't have production listings but this quote from The Independent describes the production the best: "The RZA is credited as executive producer, most of the hands-on tracking work seems to have been overseen by the production trio of Fizzy Womack, Noah Rubin and Andrew Kelley, who devise a sturdy facsimile of RZA's trademark static menace. Rather than using samples, they have employed instead the studio group The Revelations, a quartet who have perfected a way of ingeniously laying down backing tracks that have the exact same mood and manner of sampled grooves".

I actually didn't know what this album was until a few weeks before it's release. I wouldn't consider it an "actual Wu-Tang album" since it's missing two members and is mainly about pairing Wu members with guest stars it's more of a compilation album but that in no way should deter you from getting it since it is fantastic. First off the production is great all the way through. It's got a good RZA feel and brings back the kung-fu samples which have been missing from a lot of their post 1997 releases. There's not a poorly produced track in the bunch. All the verses are great also from the main Wu members and the guest stars. Ghost gets the majority of the verses and he makes the most of it (Ghostface, Action Bronson and Termanology kill it on "Meteor Hammer"). I'm having a hard time finding anything to be negative on about "Legendary Weapons". I'd remove the Tre Williams chorus from "Never Feel This Pain" (and Deck recycles his verse from a song on his last album) but it's nowhere near as bad as some of the R&B hooks on Wu-Tang albums. U-God provides one of my favorite verses on the album with his opening verse on "225 Rounds" and AZ comes back from obscurity on "Legendary Weapons" with Ghost and M.O.P.. The album just came out on tuesday and I've already listened to it at least 5 times all the way through. Highly recommended.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tD-6-gkpiyE

Highlights: The whole album but specifically "Laced Cheeba", "Legendary Weapons", "225 Rounds", "Meteor Hammer", "The Black Diamonds"

Review: A

[EyesWideOpen]

Since the new Wu-Tang just came out I figured I'd review it now since I've still got a ways to go.

[Acapelli]

ewo, what do you think of realniggatumblr's assessment lord superb being mainly responsible for wu tang's resurgence with supreme clientele? it's kind of ridiculous, but there does seem to be some truth to the idea that having young, hungry dudes around will make you better

http://www.realniggatumblr.com/post/6015442393/there-would-be-no-legit-wu-comeback-post-tical

http://www.realniggatumblr.com/post/6116871078/how-the-fuck-did-perb-put-the-wu-on-his-back

[EyesWideOpen]

ewo, what do you think of realniggatumblr's assessment lord superb being mainly responsible for wu tang's resurgence with supreme clientele? it's kind of ridiculous, but there does seem to be some truth to the idea that having young, hungry dudes around will make you better

http://www.realniggatumblr.com/post/6015442393/there-would-be-no-legit-wu-comeback-post-tical

http://www.realniggatumblr.com/post/6116871078/how-the-fuck-did-perb-put-the-wu-on-his-back

To be honest I don't really pay attention to the gossip side of hip-hop. I've heard Superb say he ghost wrote alot of Supreme Clientele and then I've seen Ghostface say no he didn't. I don't think their is anyway that anyone will ever know but it doesn't really matter to me. I believe the idea that having hungry dudes around will make you better (example how much better Cappadonna brings it on a guest spot or on a Wu-Tang album compared to how dull he is on his own solo albums) especially when you're fighting to get verses on an album but I don't think necessarily they have to be young. The Wu has 100's of Wu affiliates trying to get verses on main members albums whether they are young or old.

[EyesWideOpen]

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc261/gothamcentral79/raekwonlexdiamond.jpg

46. Raekwon - "The Lex Diamond Story"

Rae's third solo album was released in December 2003. It featured appearances by Ghostface Killah, Masta Killa, Inspectah Deck, Method Man, Cappadonna, Polite, Havoc, Fat Joe, Capone, Ice Water, Sheek Louch, Ultra, Tekitha and Tiffany Villarreal. Production was handled by a variety of different non-Wu related producers.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ULjqS4D9iE

My thoughts on "The Lex Diamond Story" are similar to "Immobilarity" in that without great production Raekwon's verses just seem to blend together. Here he gives us nothing that really stands out. Almost every song I really like on this album is strictly because of a guest verse. It's starting to get hard to talk about these middle of the road Wu albums because they are not bad they're just boring. And that's not what you want out of your Wu-Tang music.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DCof4lcZWcU

Highlights: "Missing Watch", "Clientele Kidd", "Smith Bros"

Lowlights: "Ice Cream Pt. 2", "The Hood", "Once Upon a Time"

Review: C

[EyesWideOpen]

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc261/gothamcentral79/ghostfaceprettytoney.jpg

47. Ghostface - "The Pretty Toney Album"

Ghostface released his fourth solo album in April 2004. It featured appearances by Trife, Sheek Louch, Styles P, Jadakiss, Missy Elliot, Jacki-O and Musiq Soulchild. Production was handled by True Master, RZA, No I.D., Nottz, K-Def, Ghostface, and others.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1fEUC0mMhNM

The most prolific Wu-Tang member Ghostface makes a good return after his last album debacle "Bulletproof Wallets". "Pretty Toney" features no rapping appearances by other Wu-Tang members so Ghost has to hold his own on this album and for the most part he does well. He loves his R&B/soul samples and that's definitely the overall "sound" of the album. Like alot of Wu albums he goes skit crazy and they hurt the flow of things (not to mention the over abundance of sex rhymes) but if you can skip through those and a few bad tracks you have a really good package. Him and Trife start "Pretty Toney" off strong with "Biscuits" riding on a killer True Master beat and RZA brings a good track with "Run". So to sum it up it's not on the level of his first two albums (Ironman & Supreme Clientele) but still pretty good.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJ-jmntIAB4

Highlights: "Biscuits", "Metal Lungies", "It's Over", "Be This Way", "Run"

Lowlights: All six skits, "Tush", "Tooken Back", "Love"

Review: B

[Ezee E]

LOVE that album. Might be in the top three for me as far as Wu-Tang albums go.

[EyesWideOpen]

LOVE that album. Might be in the top three for me as far as Wu-Tang albums go.

It's cool how everyone has their own personal favorite Wu albums. So much different personality and feel to each album. I'll put them in order of my favorite once I get done re-listening to them.

[EyesWideOpen]

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc261/gothamcentral79/methtical0.jpg

48. Method Man - "Tical 0: The Prequel"

Method Man released his third solo album in May of 2004. It featured guest appearances by RZA, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, Streetlife, Missy Elliott, Busta Rhymes, Redman, Snoop Dogg, Chinky, Ludacris, Kardinal Offishall, E3, Saukrates, Mr. Porter and Black Ice. Production was handled by basically a different producer on each track. The RZA produced one song and he was the only Wu-Tang associated producer on the album.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DnClm_LZ0D4

Method Man feels like a guest star on his own album here. He does nothing to stand out from the multitude of different artists and producers taking over "Tical 0". Most of these songs feel like leftovers that the guest artist didn't want on their own album so Meth took them. After Wu-Tang Forever I feel like Method Man has fallen into a rut that he can't get out of (like the guest featured Snoop Dogg after The Doggfather). He's reusing punchlines and it feels like all the originality that he brought in his early work is gone. He's become a boring parody of himself. Now with all that said there are still a couple good tracks on the album. Busta Rhymes absolutely kills on "What's Happenin". Same goes with Ghostface on "Afterparty" and Streetlife (who finally wakes up after sleeping through his first two appearances on the album) on "Crooked Letter I". Another positive is him finally learning to cut down on the skits since we only get an intro and an outro on "Tical 0" compared to the 11 skits on "Tical 2000". Method Man out of all the group has disappointed me the most with his solo albums especially since he is the one who got me into Wu-Tang in the first place.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kis3-1hFXOY

Highlights: "What's Happenin", "The Turn", "Afterparty", "Crooked Letter I"

Lowlights: "Tease", "We Some Dogs", "Rodeo", "Baby Come On", "Never Hold Back"

Review: D+

[EyesWideOpen]

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc261/gothamcentral79/Masta_Killa-No_Said_Date_Proper_CD.jpg

49. Masta Killa - "No Said Date"

Masta Killa released his first solo album in June of 2004. It featured guest appearances by all 9 members of the Wu-Tang Clan, Streetlife, Prodigal Sunn, Killah Priest and Allah Real. The RZA, True Master and Mathematics all produced three tracks a piece.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JaXEGLRAWbQ

11 years after their debut album the last member of the group finally releases his solo album and it was worth the wait. It's better than 95% of the solo albums that came out before it. Masta Killa brings it back to the early Wu sound that so many of them had forgotten with kung-fu samples and bringing back all the members to appear on his album (Liquid Swords was the last solo album to feature all 9). Ol' Dirty Bastard makes his last recorded appearance on "Old Man" and he fits perfectly. That is a textbook example of how you use ODB on a track. Masta Killa is not a flashy emcee and he's not going to blow you away with his wordplay (like the GZA) but he knows his strengths and there is not a weak track on "No Said Date". He doesn't fill the album with corny sex rhymes and even when he has a slow song it doesn't sound cheesy and it fits in with the flow of the album unlike some other Wu members.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FjOYp0S4Z3w

In 2004 when this came out I was starting to question if the Wu-Tang still had it but this album re-awakened my love and the sound that made me fall in love with them in the first place.

Highlights: "Last Drink", "D.T.D.", "Whatever", "Digi Warfare", "Old Man", "School", "Silverbacks", "Masta Killa"

Review: A

[Glass Co.]

Yeah, I just checked out No Said Date for the first time last week and it's fantastic. I wonder if waiting so long to release his debut allowed him to keep that old-school Wu sound, rather than having it dilute through multiple releases. Any way it happened, I love it.

[EyesWideOpen]

Yeah, I just checked out No Said Date for the first time last week and it's fantastic. I wonder if waiting so long to release his debut allowed him to keep that old-school Wu sound, rather than having it dilute through multiple releases. Any way it happened, I love it.

Cool. I haven't listened to his follow up "Made in Brooklyn" in a while but I remember it being quite good also.

[EyesWideOpen]

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc261/gothamcentral79/THEODOREUNIT-718.jpg

50. Theodore Unit - "718"

Ghostface Killah's crew released their debut album in August of 2004. The group consists of Ghostface Killah, Cappadonna, Trife da God (aka Trife Diesel), Kryme Life, Shawn Wiggs, Du-Lilz and Solomon Childs. Besides the main group the only guests were Method Man, Streetlife and Bone Crusher. Production was handled by a bunch of producers with Marley Marl and Cilvaringz doing a track apiece.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WVWKPy7xugs

According to Wikipedia there are a few songs on here that were supposed to be on Ghost's Pretty Toney album but the samples couldn't be cleared in time. As far as the group goes Ghostface Killah and Trife are easily the standouts and they have the most appearances on "718". The rest of the group puts in ok performances but none can really compare to those two. Du-Lilz and Kryme Life only appear on one song each and Cappadonna only appears on two so the majority of the time is given to the other four members. The album starts off really strong with the first four tracks being my favorite and the rest of the album just being decent. Solomon Childs has three solo songs on the album none being anything notable. After "718" they never released another album as a group although Trife and Ghost released an album together and Trife features heavily on most of Ghost's work. If you're a Ghostface fan at least give the album a listen. He appears on 10 of the album's 16 tracks.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8q3LYB0bZpE

Highlights: "Guerilla Hood", "Punch in Punch Out", "88 Freestyle", "The Drummer"

Review: C+

[EyesWideOpen]

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc261/gothamcentral79/U-God-MrXcitement.jpg

51. U-God - "Mr. Xcitement"

U-God's second solo album was released in September 2005. It featured guest appearances by Leathafase, Ebony Burke, MC Eiht, Squeak Ru and Boo Kapone. The only Wu-family appearance was by 4th Disciple who produced one track.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3xPcS8PG8bs

This was actually the first time I've listened to "Mr. Xcitement". I really liked his first album "Golden Arms Redemption" and I like U-God in general but I had heard so much bad about this album (even he has disowned it) that I skipped it and forgot about it. And it was just as bad as I was led to believe. The production is extremely poor. The beat on "Jenny" sounds like it belongs in Troll 2. U-God sings pretty much every chorus (except for two tracks sung by Ebony Burke which are there own kind of ear-aching) which since he can't sing is a problem. The only two redeemable tracks on the album are the first two "It's a Wrap" and "Hit 'Em Up, Roll Out" which both have U-God's protege Leathafase providing the strongest verses on "Mr. Xcitement". U-God is generally thought of by most to be the weakest member of the Clan and this album doesn't do him any favors. Thankfully he comes back stronger on his next release.

Highlights: "It's a Wrap", "Hit 'Em Up, Roll Out"

Lowlights: everything else

Review: D-

[EyesWideOpen]

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc261/gothamcentral79/indieculture.jpg

52. "Wu-Tang Meets the Indie Culture"

Wu-Tang Meets the Indie Culture was a compliation album put out by Think Differently Music. It was released in October of 2005 and features production by Bronze Nazareth, RZA, Preservation, Fred One, Mathematics and DJ Noize.

1. Intro
2. Lyrical Swords (GZA & Ras Kass)
3. Slow Blues (Vast Aire, Timbo King, Prodigal Sunn & Byata)
4. Still Grimey (U-God, Sean Price, Prodigal Sunn & C-Rayz Walz)
5. Skit
6. Think Differently (Casual, Roc Marciano, Vordul Mega & Tragedy Khadafi)
7. Skit (narrated by Jim Jarmusch)
8. Biochemical Equation (RZA & MF Doom)
9. ODB Tribute (mixed by DJ Noize)
10. Fragments (Del the Funky Homosapien)
11. Skit
12. Street Corners (Bronze Nazareth, Solomon Childs & Byata)
13. Listen (Littles, Khalid & Planet Asia)
14. Skit (narrated by Jim Jarmusch)
15. Verses (Scaramanga Shallah, La the Darkman, Ras Kass & GZA)
16. Preservation (Aesop Rock & Del the Funky Homosapien)
17. Cars on the Interstate (CCF Division)
18. Give It Up (R.A. The Rugged Man & J-Live)
19. Black Dawn (Bronze Nazareth)


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2vhoR8hVWYE

As you can see by the track listing there are quite a few lyrical heavyweights on this album. So I was pretty sure before listening that the lyrics were going to be good but I had no idea the production would be so amazing (Give it Up & Lyrical Swords being my two favorite beats). I'd put the production up there with the best "real" Wu-Tang albums. GZA and Ras Kass are a great fit together and they bring their "A" game on the two tracks they collaborate on. R.A. The Rugged Man and J-Live also make a good team. The RZA and MF Doom song while not bad is fairly disappointing. When this came out I had never heard MF Doom before but I knew the hype and his verse here is pretty lackluster. To be fair I'm not a big MF Doom fan. I've tried to get into his stuff but I just can't. I like his lyrics but his flow puts me to sleep. I would have liked to see more tracks with actual Wu-Tang group members but it doesn't take away that this is still a top notch compilation album.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nxu_XZXd2DE

Highlights: "Lyrical Swords", "Slow Blues", "Still Grimey", "Listen", "Verses", "Think Differently", "Give It Up"

Review: A-

[EyesWideOpen]

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc261/gothamcentral79/grandmasters.jpg
53. DJ Muggs vs GZA - "Grandmasters"

"Grandmasters" was released in October of 2005. It featured guest appearances by Raekwon, RZA, Masta Killa, Prodigal Sunn & Sen Dog. All production was handled by DJ Muggs.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H6cR4A44UCE

This is for all intensive purposes a GZA solo album and is generally regarded as his fifth solo album (including his pre-Wu album). I was a big fan of DJ Muggs Soul Assassins cd so I had high hopes for "Grandmasters" and it didn't disappoint. GZA is up to his usual high standards and the Muggs production fits like a glove. Besides "Liquid Swords" this is GZA's strongest produced album. Instead of the usual Martial Arts sound found on GZA's stuff "Grandmasters" has a chess theme with most song titles having chess references and chess samples before most of the songs. He throws in a Ol' Dirty Bastard tribute with "All in Together Now" and continues his wordplay theme (this time using all the NFL Team names in a song) with "Queen's Gambit". The only negative I have to say about the album is the guest appearances don't really contribute much and I would have liked to see him do a whole album by himself.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DKPLLETTz6M

Highlights: "Those That's Bout It", "General Principles", "Advance Pawns", Unprotected Pieces"

Review: A-

[EyesWideOpen]

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc261/gothamcentral79/ghosttrifecd.jpg
54. Ghostface Killah and Trife Da God - "Put It On the Line"

Ghostface along with his Theodore Unit partner Trife released this album independently in November 2005. It features guest appearances by RZA, Raekwon, Slick Rick, Kool G Rap, Sun God and other members of Theodore Unit: Tommy Whispers, Shawn Wigz & Kryme Life. Notable producers are RZA, Da Beatminerz, J-Love, Emile, Nottz.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wz-x9FBDmyY

I really like Ghost and Trife together. They fit together well and are basically an updated Ghost and Rae. This album does a good job of displaying that chemistry. We also get some tracks that were supposed to be on other Ghostface albums which couldn't make it through sample clearance in time ("The Watch", "Ghost & Giancana", "The Sun"). It's good to see those get a release since all three are fantastic especially "The Sun". "Put It On the Line" feels like a Trife showcase he is featured on 13 of the album's 18 tracks (Ghost is on 10) and he holds his own. The guest appearances by the other members of Theodore Unit aren't very memorable but Raekwon, Slick Rick and Kool G Rap all put in good verses. And one of my favorite things about the album: No skits!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x9tDQdxvK1k

Highlights: "Put It On the Line", "Struggle", "Gangsta Shit", "Fire", "Milk 'Em", "The Watch", "Ghost & Giancana", "The Sun"

Review: B

[ledfloyd]

pretty toney might be my favorite ghostface album. but then, i'm a big fan of R&B and soul samples. i guess i need to add that masta killa album to the list of stuff i need to hear.

[EyesWideOpen]

pretty toney might be my favorite ghostface album. but then, i'm a big fan of R&B and soul samples. i guess i need to add that masta killa album to the list of stuff i need to hear.

Yeah, definitely give that Masta Killa album a shot.

[EyesWideOpen]

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc261/gothamcentral79/ghostface_fishscale_101b.jpg
55. Ghostface Killah - "Fishscale"

Ghost released his fifth album in March 2006. It featured appearances by the whole Wu-Tang Clan, Ne-Yo, Trife, Cappadonna, Shawn Wigs, Sun God, Megan Rochell, and Notorious B.I.G. (although listing him as a guest appearance on the album is fairly ridiculous since all they did was use verses from "Niggas Bleed" and add them to the song "Three Bricks"). It featured production by MF Doom, Ghostface, Pete Rock, J Dilla, Just Blaze and more.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RbSYgSOZHqI

Ghostface continues his hot streak with another great album. While a lot of the rest of the Clan were resting Ghost never stops. "Fishscale" starts out with a bang. The first four songs are some of my favorite Ghostface songs ever and the rest of the album while not as strong as those first four tracks is solid throughout. Even the token R&B single "Back Like That" with Ne-Yo is good. No RZA production on the album but he gets a bunch of great producers who fit his sound well. On Supreme Clientele he sprinkled a bunch of old Iron Man cartoon samples throughout the album which worked perfectly. Unfortunately on "Fishscale" he decided to make his own old sounding Iron Man samples and they don't work nearly as well. But other than that everything else is on point. The whole Wu make an appearance on "9 Milli Bros" over a MF Doom beat and it's as great as it sounds.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nkn-5WA0LU0

Highlights: "Shakey Dog", "Kilo", "The Champ", "9 Milli Bros", "Be Easy", "Back Like That"

Review: A-

[EyesWideOpen]

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc261/gothamcentral79/inspectahde_residentp_101b.jpg
56. Inspectah Deck - "The Resident Patient"

Inspectah Deck released his third solo album in June 2006. It featured guest appearances by Masta Killa, U-God, Housegang, Suga Bang Bang, Carlton Fisk, Chico DeBango & Hugh Hef. Production was handled by Concrete Beats, Mondee, Inspectah Deck, Cilvaringz, Psycho Les, Kevlaar 7, Flowers Productions & Live Son.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VEI4Tyo4KHc

Poor Inspectah Deck. He was highly regarded after "Enter the Wu-Tang" and people were anticipating his first solo album. Unfortunately it was met with a pretty mediocre reaction by Wu fans (I actually really like it) and he never recovered. His followup "The Movement" bombed and this third album "The Resident Patient" I regret to say doesn't change anything. He is still a serviceable rapper but none of his verses on this album stand out and the majority of the songs just run together. The production doesn't help with only a few standouts. The album started out with "Sound of the Slums" which had me thinking this album was gonna be good with Masta Killa putting in a good verse and nice production by Concrete Beats. "A Lil' Story" produced by Cilvaringz is so old-school RZA sounding that no one believed he actually produced it so INS had to go on his blog and say that Cilvaringz indeed did the track. Housegang (Inspectah Deck's crew) guest on four of the songs and like most of the "crews" that the Wu-Tang members come up with they have none of the charisma of the main group. Another skippable solo album.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KJg2ncrj0Rs

Highlights: "Sound of the Slums", "What They Want", "A Lil' Story"

Review: C-

[EyesWideOpen]

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc261/gothamcentral79/mastakillamade.jpg
57. Masta Killa - "Made in Brooklyn"

Masta Killa released his second solo album in August 2006. It featured guest appearances by the whole Wu-Tang Clan, Startel, Victorious, K. Born, Free Murda, Killa Sin, Ski, Governor Tools and the Young Godz. It featured production by MF Doom, Pete Rock, Bronze Nazareth, Dev 1, Whyz Ruler, Jig Sor, P.F. Cuttin and others.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GAyRTLw6I-U

Let me start off by saying, I fucking love "Iron God Chamber" especially U-God's verse. One of my favorite all-time Wu-Tang tracks. Now with that said "Made in Brooklyn" is a disappointment compared to Masta Killa's first album "No Said Date". "Made in Brooklyn" has some great tracks but it doesn't have the consistent quality that his debut had. It starts off with a track by the Young Godz (who are three sons of Wu-Tang members). They had a skit on his first album but here they get their own full length song and it's the opener which is unfortunate because none of them are that good. "Older Gods Part 2" has a good Pete Rock beat but is hampered by being about 4 minutes of 5 Percenter spoken word and only a minute or so of actual rapping. We also get two songs ("Let's Get Into Something" & "Lovely Lady") with really lame male R&B sung hooks. The guest contributions are spotty with the Wu-Tang appearances all being quite good but everyone else pretty forgettable. The production overall is great with Whyz Ruler, MF Doom and Bronze Nazareth all bringing their A game. So if you were a fan of "No Said Date" I still recommend giving this album a listen because their is some good stuff on it but just keep your expectations on the album as a whole in check.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bf9s8nUwveI

Highlights: "E.N.Y. House", "It's What It Is", "Iron God Chamber", "Street Corner", "Ringing Bells"

Lowlights: "Older Gods Part 2", "Let's Get Into Something", "Lovely Lady"

Review: C+

[EyesWideOpen]

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc261/gothamcentral79/Method_Man_-_4-21.jpg
58. Method Man - "4:21 ...The Day After"

Method Man released his fourth solo album in August 2006. It featured appearances by Raekwon, Inspectah Deck, Ol' Dirty Bastard, U-God, RZA, Streetlife, Carlton Fisk, La the Darkman, Ginuwine, Fat Joe, Styles P, Redman and Megan Rochell. Production was handled by RZA (doing 5 tracks), Erick Sermon (4 tracks), Kwame, Scott Scorch, Havoc, Mathematics, Beretta 9, Mr. Porter, The Chairman of the Boards and Versatile.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9w5h1SlhFH4

I'm getting kind of sick of shitting on Meth albums but it's starting to get ridiculous. After the critical backlash of "Tical 0" all I heard in interviews with Meth was that people had talked him in to making a more commerical album and "4:21" was him getting back to him doing his own thing. Unfortunately this is just as bad as that album. I still get the feeling that he's not even trying. He gets RZA to do five tracks on "4:21" and only one is any good not because of any fault of RZA's but because of the lackluster rhyming. Erick Sermon continues to be one of my least favorite producers in hip-hop, he produces three tracks on here that I can't even tell the difference of and the fourth track he produces jacks so much from Lauryn Hill's "So Much Things to Say" that she should really be credited as a guest on the song. Meth has been on a steadily downward spiral since "Tical" and I really hope he gets it together if he ever ends up releasing a fifth solo album.

Highlights: "The Glide"

Review: D+

[Glass Co.]

Yeah, Meth has been such wasted potential. He only ever seems to be on his game when he's with the Wu or Redman. He's still got it, though. His two verses on Cuban Linx II were blazing.

[EyesWideOpen]

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc261/gothamcentral79/ghostmorefish.jpg
59. Ghostface Killah - "More Fish"

Ghost released his sixth solo album in December 2006 only nine months after his last album "Fishscale". It featured guest appearances by Cappadonna, Trife, Sun God, Killa Sin, Shawn Wigs, Redman, Solomon Childs, Amy Winehouse, Sheek Louch, Kanye West, Ne-Yo, Mr. Maygreen, Tracy Morgan, Eamon, Miss Info and The Willie Cottrell Band. It featured production by MF Doom, J-Love, Fantom of the Beats, Lewis Parker, Madlib, K. Slack, Anthony Acid, Hi-Tek, Mark Ronson, Xtreme, P-Nut & Koolade.

4YMwqS9ets0

Ghost continues his hot streak with "More Fish". He's on point lyrically here with a good mix of his crazy and his more introspective lyrics. The production on this album is fantastic. MF Doom kills with his two tracks ("Guns 'N Razors" with the old Spider-man show sample is craaazy) and Fantom of the Beats has three awesome tracks of his own. "You Know I'm No Good" features Amy Winehouse and she is a great fit with Ghostface's sound. If only he could get people with this kind of soulful sound to sing his hooks instead of the modern R&B sound that he usually gets. "Josephine" (which was originally on Hi-Tek's second album) with The Willie Cottrell Band hook is another good example of what makes a strong soulful Ghost song. Kanye West comes in and does a great verse on the "Back Like That (Remix)" and Trife does a bang up job on the five tracks he's featured on. The only real negative I have is some of the guest verses aren't up to the rest of the album's level (Shawn Wigs is on three songs and he's completely forgettable) but otherwise Ghost at this point in time was carrying the Wu torch almost on his own.

kguV14mHYEU

Highlights: "Ghost is Back", "Guns N' Razors", "Street Opera", "Josephine", "You Know I'm No Good", "Alex (Stolen Script)", "Back Like That (Remix)"

Review: A-

[EyesWideOpen]

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc261/gothamcentral79/00-GhostfaceKillah-HiddenDartsSpecialEdition.jpg
60. Ghostface Killah - "Hidden Darts"

This compilation album was released in March 2007. It features unreleased tracks, remixes, and some tracks not on his main solo albums. It features guest appearances by the whole Wu-Tang Clan, Cappadonna, Lord Superb, Streetlife, Shawn Wigs, Trife, J-Love, Slick Rick, Keyshia Coles, Madame Majestic and Ellie. I have the album and it doesn't have production info and I can't find producer info for all the songs online but producers that I do know are on it are: DJ Premier, RZA, Ghostface Killah, J-Love, J Dilla, Ayatollah, Grind Music, Self, D-Prosper, K-Def, Mike City, Steely & Clevie.

-Cr_8vAHJ2Y

Track Listing:
1. Hidden Darts (unreleased track)
2. The Watch featuring Raekwon (left off "Bulletproof Wallets" because of clearance issues but ended up on "Put It On the Line" the Ghostface & Trife album)
3. Belt Holders featuring Raekwon (unreleased track)
4. In the Parks (unreleased track)
5. When You Walk featuring Method Man and Streetlife (long story but this song is actually supposed to be called Box in Hand which if you remember is a track on "Ironman". The track on "Ironman" called Box in Hand is actually not supposed to be called that. Box in Hand was left off the album due to clearance issues and they didn't remove it from the track listing. So since there is already now a track called Box in Hand they changed the name of this track to When You Walk)
6. Murda Goons (unreleased track)
7. Odd Couple featuring Cappadonna (unreleased track)
8. Good Times featuring Raekwon and Lord Superb (unreleased track)
9. Cheche La Ghost (Remix) featuring Madame Majestic (remix of song off "Supreme Clientele" with a different beat and removes U-God verse and adds Ghost verses)
10. Milk Crates (unreleased track)
11. Return of Theodore Unit featuring Shawn Wigs & Trife da God (unreleased track)
12. 9MM featuring Wu-Tang Clan (remix of 9 Milli Bros off "Fishscale" with a J-Love beat instead of the original MF Doom beat)
13. The Sun featuring Slick Rick, Raekwon & RZA (left off "Bulletproof Wallets" because of clearance issues but ended up on "Put It On the Line" the Ghostface & Trife album)
14. Mama featuring Keyshia Coles (different version of Momma off "Fishscale" with Keyshia Coles on the hook instead of Megan Rochell)
15. Love Stories featuring Shawn Wigs & Ellie (unreleased track)
16. Wise (unreleased track)
17. No No No (unreleased track)
18. Black Cream (unreleased track)
19. Drummer featuring Method Man, Trife da God & Streetlife (same song as The Drummer off the Theodore Unit album "718")
20. Late Night Arrival featuring Trife da God & Shawn Wigs (previously on "Put It On the Line")
21. Paycheck featuring Trife da God (same song as Paychecks off "718")
22. Heard It All Before (unreleased track)

Kind of hard to review "Hidden Darts" since I've already heard alot of what's on this album and previously reviewed some songs on "718" and "Put It On the Line". So if you didn't pick up either of those two albums most of this album will be new to you. The unreleased tracks have some great stuff mixed in and some merely adequate songs but nothing bad. The remixes are all lesser versions than the originals so those are pretty unnecessary. If you're a Ghostface fan it's worth picking up.

EhnwZ_ZyPeM

Highlights: "The Watch", "The Sun", "When You Walk", "Odd Couple", "Wise", "Murda Goons", "Drummer"

Review: B-

[EyesWideOpen]

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc261/gothamcentral79/Afrosamurai.jpg
61. "Afro Samurai: The Soundtrack"

"Afro Samurai: The Soundtrack" was released in January of 2007. RZA was the producer on the album doing all but 4 of the album's 25 tracks. Featured artists were Talib Kweli, Q-Tip, Big Daddy Kane, GZA, RZA, Free Murda, Suga Bang Bang, Stone Mecca, Reverend William Burke, Beretta 9, Maurice, 60 Second Assassin, True Master, Thea Van Seijen, Division, Black Knights & Dexter Wiggles.

SkJNB2MMG8g

I had really high hopes when this came out. I thought the anime was really good and RZA was a perfect fit to do the score. And he does a great job with the actual "score" parts of the soundtrack but when it comes to the songs (except for a few exceptions) that's when the trouble starts. Starting off with the good stuff: The highlight of this album is "Cameo Afro" which features a collaboration between two lyrical heavyweights Big Daddy Kane and GZA. "Certified Samurai" is a collaboration between Talib Kweli and Free Murda and while Kweli brings his usual high quality Free Murda is not up to the challenge. For some reason RZA decided to give him two premium spots on this album the aforementioned song with Kweli and "Just a Little Dude" with Q-Tip and in neither case can he hold his own with the more seasoned lyricists. That's pretty much the main problem with the "songs" on the album besides GZA, RZA and some Killarmy members the rest of the Wu-Tang output on here is by D level affiliates. RZA also decides to throw four Bobby Digital songs on near the end and they range from mediocre to unlistenable. Thea Van Seijen (a Dutch artist) sings on "Fury in my Eyes/Revenge" and she has an interesting voice too bad she's paired with some lackluster RZA lyrics. So unless you're a completionist like me then just download "Cameo Afro" and call it a day.

Highlights: "Afro Theme", "Certified Samurai", "Cameo Afro"

Lowlights: "Oh", "The Walk", "Baby", "So Fly"

Review: C-

[Winston*]

Thought you might be interested in this, if you haven't come across it.

Method Man Breaks Down His 25 Most Essential Songs (http://www.complex.com/music/2011/10/method-man-25-essential-songs/#gallery)

[EyesWideOpen]

Thought you might be interested in this, if you haven't come across it.

Method Man Breaks Down His 25 Most Essential Songs (http://www.complex.com/music/2011/10/method-man-25-essential-songs/#gallery)

Great article, thanks for posting it. It's quite telling of his solo career that the only actual "Method Man" songs on that list are from his first album.

[EyesWideOpen]

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc261/gothamcentral79/Bigdoerehabcover.jpg
62. Ghostface Killah - "The Big Doe Rehab"

Ghostface released his seventh solo album in December 2007. It featured guest appearances by Raekwon, Method Man, U-God, Masta Killa, Cappadonna, Trife, Beanie Sigel, Kid Capri, Solomon Childs, Shawn Wigs, Sun God, Rhythm Roots All Stars, Joi Starr, Jayms Madison, Ox, Amille D. Harris and Chrisette Michele. It featured production by The Hitmen, Anthony Acid, Ghostface Killah, Ant-Live, Scram Jones, Frequency, Syience, Baby Grand and Davey Chegwidden.

QPYKJZlo5nE

I hated this album when it came out. I listened to it twice the first couple of days and never listened to it again until today. And guess what it's still not a good album. I at least now can recognize that it has a few good tracks but overall a huge disapointment for Ghost. First off the production is incredibly mediocre. The last two Ghost albums had great beats with producers like MF Doom, Hi-Tek and Pete Rock. "The Big Doe Rehab" features production by no one of that caliber and it suffers for it. The skits are terrible throughout and annoying when you finish listening to a track and they have a two minute long skit attached at the end of it. There is some good in the mix though. "Walk Around" is a great soulful song and the beat on "We Celebrate" starts banging around twenty seconds in. The posse track "Paisley Darts" is another strong track. Ghost has a great record of putting out quality albums but this is definitely not one of his strongest.

ZeB71RiBD-s

Highlights: "Toney Sigel a.k.a. The Barrel Brothers", "We Celebrate", "Walk Around", "Paisley Darts"

Lowlights: "White Linen Affair", "Supa GFK", "The Prayer", "Killa Lipstick", all the skits

Review: C-

[ledfloyd]

i haven't heard either of those last two ghostface albums. i remember hearing the big doe rehab was good. i do know i haven't been a fan of the two he's done since then.

[EyesWideOpen]

I've never listened to that Ghost Deini R&B poetry album he came out with but I will for completion sake for this thread. I'm not looking forward to it.

But Apollo Kids his most recent album is great.

[EyesWideOpen]

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc261/gothamcentral79/WuTang8Diagrams.jpg
63. Wu-Tang Clan - "8 Diagrams"

The Wu-Tang Clan released their fifth group album in December 2007. It featured guest appearances by Cappadonna, Streetlife, Erkyah Badu, George Clinton, Dhani Harrison, John Frusciante, Shavo Odadjian, Dexter Wiggle, Sunny Valentine, Gerald Alston and Tash Mahogany. RZA produced every track with Easy Mo Bee, Mathematics and George Drakoulias co-producing.

fU2JZx4-afA

"8 Diagrams" is one of those albums that was so close to greatness but just came up short. The verses are strong throughout with Method Man (making up for his lame solo albums) and U-God being the surprise standouts of the group. The RZA production is spectacular where we get all different types of his sound from kung-fu samples to his more recent stuff. But the thing that dulls some of my appreciation for this album is the terrible choruses on pretty much the whole middle of the album. It starts with George Clinton's mismatched hook on "Wolves" which isn't bad enough to ruin the quality of the song but it only goes down from there with Gerald Alston, Tash Mahogany and Sunny Valentine absolutely ruining "Gun Will Go", "Stick Me For My Riches" and "Starter". And unfortunately they are almost the focal point of those songs. It sucks hearing quality verses being negated by some ill-fitting R&B hooks. So yeah this is a huge step up from their last group album "Iron Flag" but it's hard knowing this could have been a classic.

yJR0hQF15ho

Highlights: "Campfire", "Take It Back", "Rushing Elephants", "The Heart Gently Weeps", "Wolves", "Windmill", "Weak Spot"

Review: B+

[EyesWideOpen]

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc261/gothamcentral79/The_Wallabee_Champ.jpg
64. Ghostface Killah - "The Wallabee Champ"

This compilation album of rare Ghostface tracks and remixes was released in March 2008.

1. Intro (freestyle)
2. Wallabee Champ (unreleased track)
3. ABC (unreleased track)
4. Roosevelts featuring Raekwon & Trife (unreleased track)
5. Watch Your Mouth features the whole Wu-Tang Clan (unreleased track)
6. Toney Sigel featuring Beanie Sigel & Styles P (same track as "Tony Sigel aka The Barrel Brothers" off "The Big Doe Rehab" with a Styles P verse added at the end that was cut off "The Big Doe Rehab" track)
7. Trials of Life featuring Prodigy of Mobb Deep (unreleased track)
8. Hidden Darts Remix (remix of "Hidden Darts" off the "Hidden Darts" compilation album)
9. The Rich featuring Raekwon (unreleased track)
10. We Dem Niggaz featuring Trife (edited, unreleased track)
11. Run Remix featuring Jadakiss & Lil Wayne (same track as "Run" off "The Pretty Toney Album" with an added Lil Wayne verse at the end)
12. Good Times Pt. II featuring Lord Superb (same track as "Good Times" off the "Hidden Darts" album but removes the Raekwon verses and adds more Ghost verses)
13. Charlie Brown Remix (edited, remix of "Charlie Brown" that was left off "Fishscale" because of clearance issues)
14. Clips featuring Trife (shares some verses and chorus with "We Dem Niggaz" off this same album)
15. Clientele featuring Raekwon, Fat Joe & Polite (remix of "Clientele Kidd" off Raekwon's "The Lex Diamond Story" album)
16. Crockett & Tubbs featuring Raekwon (freestyle)
17. '93 Freestyle featuring Method Man (7 minute long freestyle)

wefi_nlM8ho

It's funny that Ghostface has released more compilation albums then a lot of Wu-Tang members have released actual albums. "The Wallabee Champ" is another good one with a good amount of high quality unreleased tracks along with some decent but unnecessary remixes. "ABC" has Ghost rapping over ABC by the Jackson 5 and it's great but unfortunately too short lasting less than two minutes. " '93 Freestyle" is another quality find with Ghost and Meth trading off freestyles for seven minutes. Two of the tracks are unfortunately edited but besides that if you're clamoring for more Ghostface then pick "The Wallabee Champ" up.

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Highlights: "Wallabee Champ", "ABC", "Roosevelts", "Watch Your Mouth", "Trials of Life"

Review: B-

[EyesWideOpen]

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65. RZA as Bobby Digital - "Digi Snacks"

"Digi Snacks" was released in June 2008. It featured guest appearances by Inspectah Deck, Understanding, Danny Keyz, David Banner, Dexter Wiggles, Monk, Thea van Seijen, Rev William Burk, Crisis, Stone Mecca, Black Knights, Northstar, John Frusciante, Beretta 9, George Clinton, El Debarge and Star. Production was mainly handled by the RZA with help from David Banner, Che Vicious, King Tech, The Bad Parts, John Frusciante, George Drakoulias, James Desmond, Danny Keyz and Panauah Kalayeh.

This album is a chore to listen through. RZA as a MC and as a producer has become a pale comparison of his older self especially on his solo albums. So I'm gonna make this simple. You do not want "Digi Snacks".

Review: D-

[Ezee E]

Yeah, I think I deleted that whole album from my computer and from my memory.

[sevenarts]

Just found and read through this whole thread, great job. I've heard most of the main Wu albums and a good portion of the solo albums, but haven't gotten into the affiliates or anything at all. Definitely a good read, and I'm going to be checking out The Swarm which from your descriptions sounds like the one really great disc I haven't gotten around to yet.

As far as recent Wu goes, Apollo Kids was fantastic and Raekwon's 2011 album was not bad. But for most of the members the first solo albums are really the essentials, and only Ghostface has (excepting the awful Ghostdini stuff) continued to do truly stellar work as a solo artist.

[EyesWideOpen]

Just found and read through this whole thread, great job. I've heard most of the main Wu albums and a good portion of the solo albums, but haven't gotten into the affiliates or anything at all. Definitely a good read, and I'm going to be checking out The Swarm which from your descriptions sounds like the one really great disc I haven't gotten around to yet.

As far as recent Wu goes, Apollo Kids was fantastic and Raekwon's 2011 album was not bad. But for most of the members the first solo albums are really the essentials, and only Ghostface has (excepting the awful Ghostdini stuff) continued to do truly stellar work as a solo artist.

Thanks! Yeah The Swarm and the Killarmy stuff is really the only affiliate stuff that I would blindly recommend. A lot of the affiliates have done really great work on Wu-albums and compilations but have a hard time with their own albums.

I haven't listened to the most recent Ghost and Rae albums but briefly because I was holding off until I got to them for this thread. Now that I'm out of school for a little while I'll try to get this thread moving quicker.

[EyesWideOpen]

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66. GZA/Genius - "Pro Tools"

"Pro Tools" was released in August 2008. It featured guest appearances by RZA, Masta Killa, Justice Kareem, Roc Marciano, True Master, Ka and Irfane Khan-Acito. Production was handled by RZA, Dreddy Kruger, Mathematics, True Master, Bronze Nazareth, Black Milk, Arabian Knight, Roc Marciano, Jay Waxx Garfield and Jose "Choco" Reynoso.

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One thing I know when I put on a GZA album that no matter what it's gonna be good. You know that GZA is going to come strong with the lyrics you just hope that the production is up to the task. And in "Pro Tools" the production is strong. RZA only does one track the Gary Numan sampled "Life is a Movie" but the other Wu-producers are up to the task and Black Milk (now part of the group Random Axe) fits in well with GZA's style providing one of the album's best beats. The guest appearances end up being the weak link of the album. The only Wu-Tang members on "Pro Tools" Masta Killa and the RZA bring forgettable verses as does usually solid lyricist Roc Marciano. Justice Kareem (GZA's son) is still not good and appears on two songs and Ka (who I've never heard of) basically get's his own song "Firehouse" (which is annoyingly edited) since GZA only does the hook. GZA does get plenty of time to shine though (including making a 50 Cent diss record "Paper Plate") and that's what you want out of a GZA solo album. Hopefully we get a new one in 2012.

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Highlights: "Pencil", "Alphabets", "7 Pounds", "Paper Plate", "Life is a Movie"

Review: B+

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67. "Afro Samurai: Resurrection Soundtrack"

The followup to the first Afro Samurai Soundtrack was released in January 2009. It featured appearances by RZA, Ghostface Killah, Inspectah Deck, Kool G Rap, Rah Digga, Sly Stone, Suga Bang Bang, P. Dot, Reverend William Burk, Stone Mecca, Tash Mahogany, Thea Van Seijen, Rugged Monk, Boy Jones, Black Knights, Dexter Wiggles, Sunz of Man, Shavo Odadjian, Ace, MoeRoc, Infinite, 9th Prince, 60 Second Assassin, Leggezin, Crisis, Christbearer, Tre Irie and Beretta 9. Production was all handled by the RZA.

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If you're looking at this above list of guests and saying I don't know who half these people are I'm with you. The fact that there are plenty of quality Wu emcees available and RZA continues to put out the absolute lowest rung ones on his solo albums and soundtrack stuff baffles me. Obviously the songs with the actual quality rappers on them are the highlights. Kool G Rap appears on two songs and both are great (one with Inspectah Deck, one with Ghostface Killah and RZA). Rah Digga also appears on two songs (one ruined by a bad chorus one merely hampered by it) and delivers solid but unmemorable verses. I hadn't really heard anything from her since her first solo album and I was a big fan of her and the Flipmode Squad so it was good to hear something from her. The RZA production on this album is actually pretty good and even though I never watched the Afro Samurai sequel fits in well with the tone of the show it's too bad that most of the time you're left with people you don't want to listen to rapping over them. So to sum it up a couple of good tracks, quality production and a lot of rapping you don't want to hear. It's slightly better then the first Afro Samurai album.

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Highlights: "You Already Know", "Whar", "Bitch Gonna Get Ya", "Bloody Days Bloody Nights"

Review: C

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68. Method Man & Redman - "Blackout! 2"

Method Man & Redman released their follow up 10 years after the original "Blackout" album. It features guest appearances by Ghostface Killah, Raekwon, Streetlife, Saukrates, Keith Murray, Poo Bear, Bun B, Erick Sermon, Ready Roc and Melanie Rutherford. Production was handled by Mathematics, Havoc, Pete Rock, Erick Sermon, Redman, Swiff D, Rockwilder, Nasty Kutt, Ty Fyffe, Buckwild, Vinny Idol, DJ Scratch, Bink!, King David and Chris N Teeb.

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Like I mentioned in my original "Blackout" review I have a hard time reviewing Method Man & Redman stuff because while I liked them together for a short time back when they originally teamed up I quickly soured on them. This album doesn't change my feelings. The production is all over the place with a bunch of talented producers bringing mediocre beats. For some reason they also decided to jump on the auto tune bandwagon so a few songs feature this on them and it's as terrible as it sounds. Method Man who showed he still had his talent on "8 Diagrams" must have lost it again because he's completely forgettable here. Redman comes off slightly better but not by much. Thankfully Ghostface and Raekwon show up on "Four Minutes to Lock Down" to bring some Wu-Tang style to the album with a decent Bink! beat. And Havoc's production on "I'm a Dope Nigga" helps elevate it. But otherwise "Blackout! 2" is a snoozer.

Highlights: "I'm a Dope Nigga", "Four Minutes to Lock Down"

Review: C-

[Ezee E]

There was a sequel?

[EyesWideOpen]

There was a sequel?

Yep in 2009.

[EyesWideOpen]

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69. U-God - "Dopium"

U-God released his third solo album in June 2009. It featured guest appearances by GZA, Ghostface Killah, Raekwon, Method Man, Killah Priest, Scotty Wotty, Mike Ladd, Slaine, Y-Not Da Best, Sheek Louch, Jim Jones, Leathafase and Large Professor. The production is handled by Teddy Ted & J. Serbe, 4th Pyramid, Da Beathoven, Hakim Ali, Large Professor, The Twilite Tone, Andre Clarke, The Bloody Beetroots, Yuksek and Felix Cartel.

"Dopium" has 14 tracks with the last three being "electronica style" remixes.

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Still not up to his first album's standards "Dopium" is a step back in the right direction after "Mr. Xcitement". U-God still needs to work on getting some decent producers because that is the main problem I have with this album. The production by Large Professor on "New Classic" is the only song I would consider to be top quality. U-God's lyrics are decent but not his best work with GFK and Raekwon bringing the only real fire to the proceedings. I actually think the remixes aren't that bad and they are big improvements over the regular versions. So yeah, another mediocre Wu-Tang solo album.

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Highlights: "Train Trussle", "Coke", "New Classic", "Stomp Da Roach (Remix)"

Review: C

[EyesWideOpen]

I figure I'd post here also that I just watched a DTV movie called The Mortician which came out on dvd a couple weeks ago. It stars Method Man playing a timid mortician in a decaying gang overrun city. I was pleasantly surprised by it. I watched it based on a review over at dvdtalk which mentioned Method Man playing a kind of weird non-comedic role and he delivered a pretty good performance especially since he is carrying the whole film by himself (besides the flashbacks to his childhood he is on screen for 99% of the movie).

[EyesWideOpen]

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70. Wu-Tang Clan - "Chamber Music"

This is a compilation album a precursor to the recently released "Legendary Weapons" I previously reviewed. It features appearances by every member of the Clan except Method Man, GZA and Masta Killa. Other appearances are by Masta Ace, AZ, Cormega, Sean Price, Havoc, Tre Williams, M.O.P., Kool G Rap, Sadat X and Thea Van Seijen. The album's production features live instrumentation by Brooklyn soul band, The Revelations, directed, edited, and produced by The Revelations, Bob Perry, Andrew Kelley, Noah Rubin, M.O.P.'s Lil' Fame (also known as Fizzy Womack), Josh Werner, and Gintas Janusonis.

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This was actually the first time I listened to "Chamber Music". I had heard about it but after being blown away by "Legendary Weapons" which used the same production team I was greatly anticipating listening to it. To start off the album has 17 tracks but only 8 of these are actually songs. The other 9 are RZA spoken word skits or kung-fu samples. Ghostface does great work on "Evil Deeds" which is unfortunately followed by a weak RZA verse. Inspectah Deck and U-God team up on two songs and bring high quality verses on both "Kill to Hard" with Masta Ace and "Sound the Horns" with Sadat X (I had forgotten about him). The production is solid and being done by the same group throughout the album it definitely has a cohesive feel. Compared to "Legendary Weapons" though this album is slightly a disappointment. Besides the fact of there only being 8 tracks, I think they upped the ante on the production in the followup and the guest verses were overall stronger on that album. But still "Chamber Music" is worth picking up and better then average addition to the Wu-Tang library.

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Highlights: "Kill Too Hard", "Radiant Jewels", "Evil Deeds", "Ill Figures", "Sound the Horns"

Review: B-

[EyesWideOpen]

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71. Raekwon - "Only Built 4 Cuban Linx...Pt. II"

Raekwon released his fourth album in September 2009 six years after his last album. It featured appearances by the whole Wu-Tang except U-God, Cappadonna, Jadakiss, Styles P, Beanie Sigel, Slick Rick, Busta Rhymes, Popa Wu, Suga Bang Bang, Tash Mahogany, Blue Raspberry, Lyfe Jennings. Production is handled by BT, J Dilla, Pete Rock, Marley Marl, Icewater Productions, RZA, Necro, Erick Sermon, The Alchemist, MoSS, True Master, Dr. Dre, Mark Batson, Scram Jones, Allah Justice, Mathematics. The bonus track songs add appearances by The Game, Bun B, Travis Barker, Thea Van Seijen and Stone Mecca.

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Damn this album has a lot of songs on it. The regular album has 22 tracks with the only skit being the intro. I have the gold deluxe version (only released on itunes) which adds another six songs (two new songs and four remixes) not to mention the regular album has a itunes bonus track and their is a UK bonus track which brings my number up to 30 tracks for "Cuban Linx Pt. II".

"Cuban Linx Pt. II" is a huge step up from Raekwon's last two albums and it boils down to one thing....production. If you look at the credit list above this album is stuffed full with top name producers. I like Raekwon but without quality production his very specific rhyme style and subject matter can start to run together which was the problem with "Immobilarity" and "The Lex Diamond Story". He also brings together a lot of guest stars here with all the Wu-Tang members bringing strong appearances with Method Man and Ghostface Killah being the standouts. The weakest guest appearance is Slick Rick disappointingly. He phones this one in just doing bits from "Children's Story" and switching the chorus from "We Will Rock You" to "We Will Rob You". It's pretty lame.

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Besides the skippable intro there is not really a bad track on the album. The bonus tracks are all fairly strong also even the remixes.

Highlights: "House of Flying Daggers", "Black Mozart", "New Wu", "10 Bricks", "About Me", "Mean Streets", "Kiss the Ring"

Review: B+

[EyesWideOpen]

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72. Ghostface Killah - "Ghostdini: Wizard of Poetry in Emerald City"

Ghostface released his eighth album in September 2009. It featured guest appearances by Kanye West, Ne-Yo, Shareefa, Raheem "Radio" DeVaughn, Jack Knight, Vaughn Anthony, Estelle, Fabolous, John Legend, Adrienne Bailon, Lloyd & Ron Browz. Production was handled by a bunch of different people that you don't care about.

I knew very little about this album before I listened to it. All I heard was Ghostface had made a R&B album and I assumed he was singing on the record which had zero appeal to me. Turns out he does not sing at all on "Ghostdini". What we have here is Ghostface making a modern R&B album which is unfortunate because the thought of him making a classic style R&B album with songs in the style of "I Can't Go to Sleep" off "The W" is promising and we don't get that here. Instead we get Ghost rapping tired sex rhymes with tired R&B choruses. The types of song that I've mentioned hating on almost every Wu-Tang album well "Ghostdini" is only those. He also puts the "Back Like That (Remix)" on this album which is the same exact remix that was on his sixth album "More Fish". Do yourself a favor and skip this album. There's not a single track that I would ever want to listen to again on it.

Review: D-

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73. Inspectah Deck - "Manifesto"

INS released his fourth solo album in March 2010. It featured guest appearances by Raekwon, Cappadonna, Kurupt, Cormega, Billy Danze, Planet Asia, Termanology, Carlton Fisk, AC, Fes Taylor, Ms. Whitney, Meshel and Pleasant. Production was handled by J. Glaze, The Alchemist, MoSS, Dtox, Inspectah Deck, Lee Bannon, Y-Not, Mental Instruments, Khino, Mike Cash, Flip, Shorty 140, K. Slack, Cee the Architect and Agallah.

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Another one of those middling solo albums. The production is nothing special except for a few tracks and I don't know what happened to Deck but there's none of the excitement (or talent) that was shown in his early Wu appearances or his first solo album. The album's only single The Alchemist produced "The Champion" is by far the best track and decent guest appearances on a few other tracks move "Manifesto" from being a crappy album up to a merely mediocre one.

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Highlights: "The Champion", "Serious Rappin", "Gotta Bang", "Brothaz Respect"

Review: C

[EyesWideOpen]

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74. Meth/Ghost/Rae - Wu-Massacre

Method Man, Ghostface Killah and Raekwon released an album of their own in March 2010. This album featured guest appearances by Streetlife, Solomon Childs, Sun God, Inspectah Deck, Trife, Sheek Louch, Bully and Kevin Cossom. Production was handled by RZA, BT, Mathematics, Ty Fyffe, Digem Tracks, Emile and Scram Jones. The cover art was done by comic artist Chris Bachalo.

This album is boring. It's barely 30 minutes long and it feels like all three members are going through the motions. The majority of the album is left over verses from unused tracks or in the case of Smooth Sailing (Remix) they took a song by Broccoli Rob removed all the verses, left the Solomon Childs hook and used a new beat and called it their own. The cover art and the first two tracks which are barely two minutes each are the best thing about "Wu-Massacre". I'm gonna imagine this will be the first and last time Hakim Warrick is name checked in a song.

Just Barely Highlights: Criminology 2.5, Mef vs Chef 2, Gunshowers

Review: C-

[EyesWideOpen]

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75. Masta Killa Presents - The Next Chamber

Masta Killa released this compilation album in November 2010. This album is basically a mixtape of unreleased tracks, freestyles and lesser known songs with Masta Killa on them. It features guest appearances by RZA, GZA, Ghostface Killah, Raekwon, Inspectah Deck, U-God, Ol' Dirty Bastard, Pete Rock, Prodigal Sunn, Killah Priest, R.A. the Rugged Man, Timbo King, Buddah Bless & Icarus. I can't find complete production info anywhere online for this album but for the songs I do know the incomplete producer list is RZA, DJ Muggs, Pete Rock, Mathematics, Masta Killa, No I.D., Prefuse 73 and Ayatollah.

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This was my first time listening to "The Next Chamber" and really didn't have any expectations for it but it wasn't bad as far as Wu-Tang compilations go. The freestyles are nothing special except for "Brain" which loops the Pinky & the Brain theme as a beat. Out of the few songs I had already heard "Unstoppable Threats" (off the GZA & DJ Muggs Grandmasters album) is still great as is "Metal Lungies (OG Version)" (track off Ghostface's Pretty Toney album with Masta Killa on it instead of Sheek Louch & Styles P). "Fam Members Only" (off GZA's Legend of the Liquid Sword) is ok but this version cuts off a RZA verse from the original and is still edited. And for my first listen stuff I really liked the production on "Just a Thought" (a shortened version of a song off Prefuse 73's album Surrounded by Silence), and great verses on "Chains" (off R.A. the Rugged Man's Die, Rugged Man Die album). The only song on here I don't care for is "Black Mamba" (off the Kill Bill Vol. 2 soundtrack) which is less a song and more nonsense chanting by RZA and ODB. So overall an above average album with enough good stuff that I hadn't heard before to be worth a listen.

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Highlights: "Unstoppable Threats", "Just a Thought", "Chains", "Armoured Truck", "Metal Lungies (OG Version)", "Brain"

Review: B

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76. Ghostface Killah - "Apollo Kids"

Ghost dropped his ninth solo album in December 2010. It featured guest appearances by GZA, Raekwon, Method Man, U-God, Killah Priest, Cappadonna, Busta Rhymes, Trife Diesel, Joell Ortiz, The Game, Black Thought, Jim Jones, Shawn Wiggs, Sheek Louch, Sun God and Redman. It features production by a ton of different producers with Frank Dukes being the only one who does more then one track (he does three).

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"Apollo Kids" is not a top tier Ghostface album but it's still a huge step up from his last few albums. The problem with that being that Ghost feels like a guest on his own album here. Out of the twelve tracks he's only by himself on three and the majority of the songs feature multiple guest artists. The production is mixed. It starts out strong with "Purified Thoughts" which is a killer track with a great Frank Dukes beat featuring Killah Priest and GZA. I had never heard of Frank Dukes before this but he produces the three best songs on the album. Black Thought brings what is probably the best performance in "Apollo Kids" on "In tha Park". A lot of lackluster guest spots though with Jim Jones and The Game being the worst offenders.

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Highlights: "Purified Thoughts", "Black Tequila", "2getha Baby", "In tha Park"

Lowlights: "Handcuffin' Them Hoes"

Review: B-

[EyesWideOpen]

One more album left!

[EyesWideOpen]

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77. Raekwon - "Shaolin vs. Wu-Tang"


Raekwon released his fifth solo album in March 2011. It featured guest appearances by Method Man, Ghostface Killah, Inspectah Deck, Nas, Black Thought, Busta Rhymes, Rick Ross, Lloyd Banks, Jim Jones, Estelle, Kobe James and Raheem DeVaughn. Production was handled by Scram Jones, Oh No, Cilvaringz, Bronze Nazareth, Bluerocks, Selasi, DJ Khalil, Sean C & LV, Kenny Dope, The Alchemist, Mathematics, Xtreme, Evidence and Tommy Nova.

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This is a pretty lackluster end to my Wu-Tang reviews! Not a bad album but a step down from OBFCLII. Ghost, Nas, Busta Rhymes and Black Thought shine in their verses but the rest of the guests bring nothing to the table. The production is solid but nothing too exciting which is a good description of the entire album. Raekwon is on auto-pilot throughout "Shaolin vs. Wu-Tang" and the only time my ears perked up is when one of the aforementioned guests showed up.

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Highlights: "Every Soldier in the Hood", "Silver Rings", "Rich & Black", "Masters of Our Fate"

Review: C+

[EyesWideOpen]

I'll have some lists up soon.

[EyesWideOpen]

Favorite Wu-Tang group members in order:

1. GZA/Genius
2. RZA
3. Ghostface Killah
4. U-God
5. Inspectah Deck
6. Masta Killa
7. Raekwon
8. Method Man
9. Ol' Dirty Bastard

Top Ten Favorite Wu-Tang Solo Albums:

1. GZA/Genius - Liquid Swords
2. Ghostface Killah - Ironman
3. Raekwon - Only Built for Cuban Linx
4. Masta Killa - No Said Date
5. Ghostface Killah - Supreme Clientele
6. Ghostface Killah - Fishscale
7. GZA/Genius - Grandmasters
8. Ghostface Killah - More Fish
9. Inspectah Deck - Uncontrolled Substance
10. GZA/Genius - Pro Tools

[EyesWideOpen]

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78. The Man with The Iron Fists - "Soundtrack"

This soundtrack was released in October 2012. Production by RZA, Frank Dukes, Fuzzy Womack, The Black Keys, Kanye West, Boogz & Tapez, Bob Perry, BadBadNotGood, S1, Steven James Brown, Corinne Bailey Rae, Issac Hayes & David Porter.

Track Listing:
1. "The Baddest Man Alive" by The Black Keys and RZA
2. "Blackout" by Ghostface Killah, M.O.P. & Pharoahe Monch
3. "White Dress" by Kanye West
4. "I Forgot to be Your Lover" by The Revelations & Tre Williams
5. "Got Your Way (Sex is a Weapon) by Idle Warship (Talib Kweli & Res)
6. "Rivers of Blood by Wu-Tang Clan & Kool G Rap (listed as Wu-Tang Clan but actually only Raekwon, U-God & Ghostface Killah)
7. "Built for This" by Method Man, Freddie Gibbs & Streetlife
8. "The Archer" by Killa Sin
9. "Just Blowin' in the Wind" by RZA & Flatbush Zombies
10. "Chains" by Corinne Bailey Rae
11. "Tick, Tock" by Pusha T, Raekwon, Joell Ortiz & Danny Brown
12. "Green is the Mountain" by Frances Yip
13. "Six Directions of Boxing" by Wu-Tang Clan (U-God, Ghostface Killah, GZA, Masta Killa, Cappadonna & Inspectah Deck)
14. "Your Good Thing (Is About to Come to an End)" by Mable John
15. "I Go Hard" by Ghostface Killah, Boy Jones & Wiz Khalifa
16. "Bust Shots" by Sheek Louch, Ghostface Killah & Inspectah Deck (bonus digital track)

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It's been almost a year and a half since the last Wu-related album "Legendary Weapons" came out so I've been anticipating this soundtrack (and the movie) hard. It starts out with one of the best tracks on the album "The Baddest Man Alive". I have no prior musical knowledge of The Black Keys except that the internet loves them so I was surprised by how right "The Baddest Man Alive" feels. The RZA verses are servicable and elicited a few funny lines but I think the song would have been even better with a stronger MC on it. But that's just a small nit-pick. "White Dress" is a strong Kanye West song and "Just Blowin' in the Wind" brings interesting production with another group I have no prior knowledge of (Flatbush Zombies) and a stronger RZA verse then the opener. "Rivers of Blood" feels like a classic Wu-Tang track and Kool G Rap fits in with Ghostface and Raekwon perfectly. The bonus track "Bust Shots" gives me hope for the Wu-Block album the next Wu releated release that comes out next month.

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The rest of the album is filled with six "ok but not great" gangster songs, and five tracks that while not bad are not anything I would ever listen to again. "I Forgot to be Your Lover" brought back a memory of high school and something that would have been on the Jason's Lyric soundtrack. So overall it's a solid album. Not on the level as the last release "Legendary Weapons" but a huge step up from most of the RZA soundtrack releases.

Highlights: "The Baddest Man Alive", "Rivers of Blood, "White Dress", "Just Blowin' in the Wind", "Bust Shots"

Review: B/B-

[EyesWideOpen]

I'll have a Wu-Block review up this weekend. I also just found out a new Masta Killa album came out last tuesday and early word is that it's terrible so I'm looking forward to listening to that.

[EyesWideOpen]

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79. Wu-Block

Wu-Block is an collaborative album (released in November 2012) made up of the Wu-Tang and D-Block (formerly The Lox) camps. It was spearheaded by Ghostface Killah and Sheek Louch which shows because this is basically a Ghost and Sheek album. They appear together on every track but one with all the other rappers feeling like guest stars. The other features are Raekwon, Jadakiss, Styles P, Cappadonna, Method Man, Masta Killa, GZA, Erkyah Badu and Inspectah Deck. Production is handled by a number of producers most notably Frank Dukes, Erick Sermon, Red Spyda and Termanology.

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The first single for this album was released in June called "Union Square" and it wasn't very impressive so I didn't expect too much from this album but it looks like they felt the same way because that song doesn't even appear on the Wu-Block album. As mentioned before this is basically a Ghostface and Sheek album fortunately they fit well together and their verses are for the most part the strongest. These two can do gangster tales in their sleep and that's for better or worse what this album entails. "Different Time Zones" rides a nice beat and has a solid performance by Inspectah Deck. "Drivin' Round" the only real exception to that "gangsta" formula is anchored by a nice GZA verse but is let down by a bad Erkyah Badu hook and mediocre verses by Sheek and Masta Killa. "Been Robbed" the best track on Wu-Block and it features Ghost and Sheek having fun and joking around (with a great hook sample) which makes for a nice change from the seriousness of the rest of the album. So overall the rapping is fantastic although the subject matter is generic. Most of the hooks are pretty lackluster also which mars the otherwise good quality production.

Pyk7PRYXfXE

Highlights: "Been Robbed", "Bust Shots", "Pour tha Martini", "Different Time Zones"

Review: B

[EyesWideOpen]

I'll have updates soon since I've got the new Masta Killa album and Raekwon released a new mixtape this week. Inspectah Deck also has a new album coming out with 7L & Esoteric in a couple weeks. The Wu-Tang has been busy for their 20 year anniversary!

[EyesWideOpen]

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc261/gothamcentral79/Selling_My_Soul_cover_zps2a57d 778.jpg
80. Masta Killa - "Selling My Soul"

Masta Killa released his third solo album in December 2012. It features guest appearances by Kurupt and Ol' Dirty Bastard (not really). Production is handled by 9th Wonder, Masta Killa, Mathematics, Inspectah Deck, Mediate Soul, P.F. Cuttin', Dash, Koolade and Blackinati.

Where to start? Ok, first off Masta Killa is one of the most mellow rappers I've ever heard so putting out an album with equally mellow production and basically no guests means this album will put you to sleep in a hurry. "No Said Date" his first and best album worked so well because it mixed his soft delivery with great beats and guest spots that complemented him. Here the only guest star is Kurupt who is on two songs in a row, he reuses lines he's said in the past and raps his typical misogynist nonsense the complete opposite of the theme Masta Killa has going for the album. The production besides "Food" which was done by 9th Wonder is forgettable. "R U Listening" uses the same beat as "Crack Spot Stories" off the Wu-Block album and it's used to much greater effect on that album. "Wise Words" uses the beat from 2Pac's "Keep Ya Head Up" and is basically a spoken word of Masta Killa talking about that song which is about as boring as it sounds. The lamest part of this album though is that it was advertised as "featuring Ol' Dirty Bastard" and what that consists of is on the song "Dirty Soul" we have Masta Killa for the first part of the song just name off all the soul artists he likes and the second part he raps in Ol' Dirty Bastard's style with a ODB sample occasionally cutting in. To use a dead artists name to sell your product and then that artist not actually being featured is pretty despicable.

Highlights: "Soul and Substance", "Food"

Lowlights: "Wise Words", "Part 2", "Divine Glory", "Dirty Soul"

Review: D

[ledfloyd]

I'm sure you've heard 12 Reasons to Die by now? It's probably my favorite Ghost album since Fishscale.

[EyesWideOpen]

Nope I actually haven't. Thanks for reminding me about this thread I need to catch up.

[EyesWideOpen]

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc261/gothamcentral79/raekwonlost_zps2f0d013c.jpeg (http://s213.photobucket.com/user/gothamcentral79/media/raekwonlost_zps2f0d013c.jpeg.h tml)

81. Raekwon - "Lost Jewlry"

Raekwon released this free mixtape in January 2013 as a warmup for his scheduled new album later in the year. If features guest appearances by Freddie Gibbs, Faith Evans, Maino and Altrina Renee. Production is handled by Statik Selektah, Scram Jones, Buckwild, Vin da Chin, Frank G., DJ Thoro and Roads-Art.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8UyJFwLtADY

I've mentioned before but I'm not the biggest Raekwon fan. He's a solid rapper but most of my favorite Rae songs are due to the production or guest stars. This album features four guest appearances none of which add anything of value. The production is decent overall (with the three Scram Jones tracks being the highlights) and the album features the usual Raekwon mix of New York gangster stories and female trouble tales. The weirdest thing about "Lost Jewlry" (yes it's really spelled like that) is the intro. The intro is just a one minute long Statik Selektah instrumental. Now Statik is the biggest producer name on this thing why would you put his beat on your album and not rap over it? Baffling. It's also my favorite track on "Lost Jewlry". So yeah my favorite track on a Raekwon album has nothing to do with Raekwon.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6pRui6n-m6U

Highlights: "A King's Chariot (Intro)", "Young Boy Penalties", "Came Up"

Review: C

[EyesWideOpen]

82. Inspectah Deck, 7L & Esoteric - "Czarface"

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc261/gothamcentral79/czarface-cover_zps936e5d55.jpg (http://s213.photobucket.com/user/gothamcentral79/media/czarface-cover_zps936e5d55.jpg.html)

Inspectah Deck, 7L & Esoteric came together to release this album in February 2013. It features guest appearances by Ghostface Killah, Cappadonna, Roc Marciano, Oh No, Action Bronson, Mr. MFN Exquire and Vinnie Paz. Production is mainly by 7L & Spada4 with DJ Premier also doing a track.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eTqPP2rSU7g

This album came out of nowhere for me. I wasn't very knowledgeable about 7L & Esoteric before listening to this so I didn't really have any expectations and the last couple Deck albums have been mediocre so surprisingly this is one of the best Wu related albums in years. The first thing they get right is the production. "Czarface" sounds like how I had hoped the Wu-Tang would be sounding 20 years later and not the generally poor production that RZA has been serving up in the latter half of his career. The samples are all over the place from G.I.Joe and Superfriends cartoons, Adam West Batman, old WWF promos, George Carlin and even a sample from a inspecting your deck DIY video. Thankfully the rapping doesn't disappoint either. Inspectah Deck sounds more energized then he has in years and Esoteric holds his own and even overtakes Deck on a couple tracks. If I had a complaint I guess it would be the guest spots could have been better. They got talented MC's but none put in their best work on this album. Oh No's verse is really the only standout. None of the other guests are bad they just don't really shine. But that's just a nitpick. GET THIS ALBUM!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CgQFEb9K3wA

Highlights: "Air 'Em Out", "Cement 3's", "Rock Beast", "Savagely Attack", "Let it Off"

Review: A