In 2010, Wu-Tang Clan affiliate Ronald "DJ Mathematics" Beam releases an extensive mixtape to promote the upcoming release of the collaborative album of one of hip-hop's holy trinities: Method Man-Ghostface Killah-Raekwon. The cover is minimal and the author places the name of the mixer, Mathematics, the name of Def Jam (which should have nothing to do with this effort, even if the next studio album of the trio will be released by the major label), the names of the three performers (Meth-Ghost-Rae) and their images, even if reversed, Raekwon is on the left, Method Man is in green and Ghostface is at the top. The title is shown with an oriental aesthetic that recalls the movie of the same name which inspired it, "The Avenging Eagle" (1978). Mathematics places 48 short excerpts for a total of over 70 minutes of material that includes a solid mix of the best of Method Man, Ghostface Killah and Raekwon.
In the first part, DJ Mathematics gives away some remixed classics including "Mef vs. Chef", "House of Flying Daggers" and "The Turn". In particular, the latter stands out: the original production is by RZA, but here the work is all thanks to Allah Mathematics, which makes classic one of the best songs of one of the worst albums of the year, "Tical 0: The Prequel" by Method Man. Wonderful male soulful sample combined with swords, then emerges a simple boom bap, hard dry drum, sample of DITC's xmas bells seasoned with scratches, Raekwon kills the rhythm with a fantastic flow, velvet, energetic, hardcore, dope; Mathematics plays with the Lex Diamonds verse, which also pays homage to him, and then places other swords before the Method Man verse, making this cut truly much more Wu-Tang than it originally was. This man is great. There's also the stanza by Meth, he seems at his finest in career over this rhythm.
The tape continues with other extracts and more or less good and solid pieces, until it reaches "Method Man PLO Freestyle (Exclusive)": boom bap amazing, jazzy, light, dusty and dirty, essential, skeletal drum, with wonderful elegant piano to support Method Man's freestyle. Another soundscape in full Wu-Tang style, Wu-sound, masterpiece. There are also remixes of "One" by Tony Starks and "It's Yours" by Wu-Tang, preceding "Goldmine", another excellent musical carpet in its simplicity, Ghost's slow flowing rap, excellent choice. The central part is very solid, among the many extracts that Mathematics takes from the trio, songs like "Tony Montana" and "Wu-Gambinos" emerge with great strength and illuminating the path. Mathematics never ceases to surprise and even allows himself to pick "Eye for a Eye" by Mobb Deep, keeping that sick piano and the dry hard midtempo drum machine, his choice lasts less than a minute, but feels really essential in the midst of these seventy, also because it's followed by an even shorter excerpt of "Right Back at You", another excellent piece.
"It's What It Is" is one of the center section's most successful moments, and it brings the listener brilliantly towards the end of the mixtape. "Diz Iz 4 All My Smokers" is yet another jewel that Mathematics offers in this long tape: originally, it's a discreet / good, but not excellent track of Method Man's latest album, the collaborative sequel with Redman "Blackout! 2". The boy places the live excerpts and chooses an excellent soundscape, boom bap with midtempo dry drum and magnificent violins in the background, the rhythm is just perfect and gives life to a classic, because what follows is a back n forth of Meth & Red, fantastic cut.
Track number 37 was something difficult, because "The Heart Gently Weeps", Wu-Tang's homage to the Beatles featured in "8 Diagrams", wasn't a great song. Nevertheless, DJ Mathematics performs the miracle: he keeps the original beat of the song, cleans it and highlights the elegant piano more than the roaring guitar, restoring its original melancholy sound. To complete the cut, he chooses the heavy and personal lyrics of "Black Cream" by Ghostface Killah, and the result is a masterpiece. The ending with the guitar solo is poetry. Authentic masterpiece. The final section of the mixtape maintains a fairly high level of quality, with other solid and classic excerpts, closing with the shouts of "Psycho".
Mathematics makes a mixtape that is certainly irregular and erratic, but solid enough and that has some essential moments, despite the pieces being all very short. Recommended for Wu-Tang fans.
Rating: 7.3/10.
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