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Review - Wu-Tang Clan: Pollen - The Swarm Part III

Posted by elmattic On June 24, 2010

In 1898, the Society of Righteous and Harmonious Fists led the Boxer Rebellion in China. They attacked thinking that their martial arts training would make them fly, be immune to bullets and call on spirit soldiers. Guess what, that didn't work out too good. Pollen is kinda like the Boxer Rebellion. The Wu's been rolling for 17 years now, and the ancient arts of shadowboxing on their own aren't enough in the modern world. I mean, what exactly is the point of another album of the A and B team Clan over middling beats?

Review - Everliven Sound - Freedom 2

Posted by Wally $ean On June 23, 2010

With the underground hip-hop scene producing so many new artists, it’s surprising to see how many are looking at the industry with the assailing eye of veteran rhymers. Take the duo Everliven Sound, also known as emcees the UK's Skit Skam and NJ's Cymarshall Law: although both are relatively fresh-faces in the game, their attitude, style and sound are something of a throwback. On their latest project together Freedom 2, Skit and Cy once again exhibit wisdom and abilities beyond their years, despite a number of problems.

Review - Godilla - Jaguar Paw

Posted by Wally $ean On May 19, 2010

The Jaguar Warrior was a terrifying Aztec soldier who brutalized his victims and captured survivors for ritual sacrifice...With an M.O. like that, it's no wonder why rapper Godilla seemingly pays homage to them on the cover of his LP Jaguar Paw, and he does so with good reason. The Easton, PA emcee and Snowgoons collaborator is out for weak emcees' blood on this album. Although it's not a perfect, with some lackluster beats and bars, it's an inspired, cohesive album that harkens back to he golden era of hip-hop while adding a dash of Latin flavor to spice up the recipe.

Review - The Closers - Bullpen Sessionz

Posted by Wally $ean On March 21, 2009

Hardcore gutter rap is something of a rarity these days. Apart from artists like Blaq Poet and Roc Marciano, very few emcees these days spit that raw shit that sounds like the soundtrack to getting yapped for all of your personal belongings. Yet hope is not lost for fans of that hard-body, get-mushed-or-moshed-out-type steez: The Closers - a four man collective of Shabaam Sahdeeq, Red Eye and the production combo Thorotracks - are up to bat with their latest project Bullpen Sessionz, and they're swinging away like the Baseball Furies.

Review - Statik Selektah - 100 Proof (The Hangover)

Posted by Wally $ean On February 10, 2010

For the past three years, Massachusetts producer and DJ Statik Selektah has had the underground hip-hop scene firmly under his thumb. With a barrage of mixtapes, guest productions and a nearly annual onslaught of album releases, Statik has managed to transform his little Showoff Records imprint into a burgeoning success, helping to propel emcees like Reks and Termanology into the spotlight. Now, Mr. Spell My Name Right is back with his third studio album 100 Proof (The Hangover).

Review - Wu-Tang Clan - Chamber Music

Posted by Wally $ean On Friday, July 10, 2009

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


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2 Response to "Review - Wu-Tang Clan - Chamber Music"

  1. blctxt Said,

    Good to hear that the Wu is back at it. The change in production may have been a good thing. Once the reviews get around maybe we can see another full member Wu album with the same change in production?

    [Work Is Love]

     

  2. Wally $ean Said,

    i really hope, man. but til then, we get cuban linx 2 and the wizard of poetry

     

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