Dreddy Kruger puts together this compilation / mixtape of 26 tracks of GZA / Genius called a "collection of classics", with the addition of some unreleased tracks, by the one who is the greatest lyrical swordsman in Medina (Brooklyn), quoting the cover. The songs are taken from LPs made between 1995 and 2002, "Liquid Swords" (title track, "Killa Hills", "Shadowboxin", "Duel of the Iron Mic", "Labels"), "Beneath the Surface" ("High Price, Small Reward", "1112", "Mic Trippin", "Publicity", "Hip-Hop Fury") and "Legend of the Liquid Swords" ("Did Ya Say That", "Silent", "Sparring Minds", "Fame (Accapella)", "Animal Planet"), as well as tracks from other artists where GZA is featured.
These pieces are produced by RZA, Mathematics, Bronze Nazareth, True Master, Arabian Knight, Boola, Bink!, Tyquan Walker, DJ Muggs, and DJ Tomekk. Guests are Wu-Tang Clan members RZA, ODB, Ghostface Killah, Method Man, Masta Killa, and Inspectah Deck, Sunz of Man members Killah Priest, Hell Razah and Prodigal Sunn, Royal Fam members Dreddy Kruger and Timbo King, the Killa Bees affiliate Streetlife, the son of GZA Young Justice who has a track, and Njeri, the only "external" guest [of the Wu-universe] on these twenty-six tracks. Rebel INS and Bobby Digital are the main guests with five appearances each, some uncredited, ahead of Masta Killa with four spots. There are five tracks from his second studio album, a couple of pieces featuring DJ Muggs, and Masta Killa's "Silverbacks", the other twenty choices fail to adequately justify a title that can be generously and affectionately described as ambitious.
Like a skilled tailor, DJ Muggs superbly sews his musical clothes on one of the best lyricists of the mid-nineties, whose style is enhanced by these solutions, while the rapper is contained for the rest of the time in the songs that don't arrive immediately after "36 Chambers". Even though Dreddy Kruger wisely chooses to spread those tracks all over the place, the whole tape comes out in a normal and anonymous way, with no real surprises and with different choices that leave something to be desired, especially in the finale, when GZA delves into a random acapella of his verse for "Wu Banga 101" from "Supreme Clientele", and in the final posse track by DJ Tomekk which is cut excluding the verses of the house emcees and that of P Sunn.
Like the other GZA compilation "Darts", this isn't essential for Wu die hards. [6/10].
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