After the relative disappointment that was '07s 8 Diagrams, fans and critics alike began to seriously question whether the Wu was actually forever. The nine members were divided over a number of issues, from the RZA's beats to payment to the Wu's business team. And while it was never a question that the nine brothers would ride for each other, it seemed more questionable if they'd ever work together again to make that classic Wu music.

Yet Wu fans have a little less reason to fear. While the Clan's latest release Chamber Music isn't an actual Wu-Tang Clan album (GZA, Meth and Masta Killa don't even appear on it), it's Wu-Tang all the way, from the gritty production to the pitch-perfect lyricism.

Wu-Tang Chamber Music is a head's dream mash-up come true. The album posits Clan members Inspectah Deck, U-God, Ghostface, Raekwon and the RZA against fellow New York luminaries like Sean Price, Sadat X, AZ and more. From the rollicking don anthem "Kill Too Hard" with Masta Ace, to the thugged-out "Ill Figures" with M.O.P. and Kool G Rap, to the paranoid "Evil Deeds" with Havoc, the lyrical aspects of Chamber Music are great. And when the emcees aren't rocking the mic with their lyrical brilliance, RZA dispenses his off-kilter ghetto wisdom. These short interludes, while many, keep the album grounded in that fact that Chamber Music isn't a Wu-Tang Clan album; rather, it's an entirely different beast.

In terms of the actual Wu members, Deck and Uey bring the same hard-hitting underground charm that made them stand out on 8 Diagrams, while Ghost and Rae reaffirm that they're two of the best out of the entire Clan. Even the RZA brings the lyrical heat "Evil Deeds" and "NYC Crack," although it seems like he's getting crazier by the day. Similarly, nothing negative can be said about the album's guest artists. From Cormega to Masta Ace,AZ to Kool G, everyone is spot-on. They attack the tracks with their own specific styles, paying subtle tribute to the Shaolin nine. Beast among these artists is Sean Price, whose always-humorous thuggery feels right at home against Raekwon's magnificent slang speak on "Radiant Jewels." Similarly, the raucous M.O.P. are a great juxtaposition to the smooth-talking Chef on "Ill Figures."

The album's production is nothing short of great. Handled in parts by the Revelations on the skits and the team of Fizzy Womack, Andrew Kelley and Noah Rubin on the majority of the songs,the album feels like a gritty Wu-Tang jawn without directly copying thew Wu's classic sound. Rather, they flow from the same vein RZA opened with 36 Chambers. Best among the production are the threatening "Radiant Jewels" and "Ill Figures," which is highly reminiscent of 1979's The Warriors. The RZA even jumps on the album with the hypnotic "NYC Crack," which sounds much like the RZA's more recent work for Afro Samurai. Yet the productions isn't perfect. A few songs like "Evil Deeds" and "Kill Too Hard" feel a tad bland when compared to some of the album's finer cuts.

Despite the album's technical and musical brilliance, it lacks the certain cohesiveness that makes Chamber Music something more of a great conundrum than a classic. Perhaps it's the fact that as Wu fans, we have to come to terms that their best record in years is one that doesn't feature the RZA on the boards (except for his solo song) or the other three of the members. Depressing as this may be to some, there's some hope yet. With the recent announcement of Ghost and RZA discussing a possible new Clan project, in addition to the wave of releases from the Clan's members, the Wu appears primed and ready for a return. And if Chamber Music is just them brushing up on their Tiger style, the Wu-Tang Clan may be more than forever.

93/100