Mathematics — The Answer

In 2013, Wu-Tang Clan producer Mathematics released his third LP. His face graces the cover, with his name and album title at the top, with the Wu symbol so small you might not even notice it's there. Self-released again, he features Ghostface Killah, Inspectah Deck, Method Man, Raekwon, Cappadonna, Masta Killa, Ol' Dirty Bastard of Wu-Tang Clan, 12 O'Clock of Brooklyn Zu, Wu affiliates La the Darkman, Allah Real and Popa Wu, as well as Ali Vegas, Termanology and Redman, among others. Eyeslow is the main guest, appearing on over half the record.

After an intro by Jim O'Brien, Mathematics friend Eyeslow has the honor of opening his third record by dropping three verses on "Cousin Jackson", flanked by a spoken hook by Yay High. The producer's beat is thick, heavy rough drum midtempo, heavy raw bassline, rotten filthy strings, pianos, good slow steady rapping by the author. Wu-Tang Clan is credited as a guest on the next cut, "Four Horsemen", in reference to the four horsemen of the apocalypse, but also Killah Priest's group of the same name. Epic boom bap by Mathematics, perpetual vocal sample, chunky bassline, harsh, whipping drums, tight, stretched bass. Inspectah Deck on the first verse, flawless flow, awesome, Chef Raekwon on the second verse with an effortless, calm, steady flow, he's not trying hard here. Method Man also doesn't sound his best on this posse with a bit of a soft, morose, subdued style, he picks up a bit in the finale. Ghostface Killah enters on the final verse and drops bars with energy, setting the cut alight. Great joint without hooks.

"Notorious" boasts raw production: dirty pop horns, rough bassline, sparse downtempo drum beats with skinny hi-hats to back it up. Redman drops bars alongside Eyeslow and Mr. Cream on this cut. "Shorty" is a Wu-Tang Clan duet between the tenth and ninth members of the group, Cappadonna and Masta Killa: Don Cappachino soars on this production, delivering his lyrics in a flowing hardcore style, Masta Killa comes in calmly as always and dominates the beat in his own way. Boom bap, dry midtempo drum beats, looped flutes, smooth bassline, gorgeous production by Mathematics. Hook by JNY to back it up. One of the most exquisite tracks on the tape. Excellent heavy bassline to support the soundscape of "Cocaine", dusty midtempo drum, wonderful looped horns. Eyeslow is joined by Ali Vegas and Method Man on this tight, splendid piece, one of the best on the record. After a freestyle by Eyeslow with Popa Wu and an interlude by Jim O'Brien, we get to a new posse, "Ratha Smoke Wit U": William Collins, Gary Cooper, George Clinton, JNY, Ready Roc and Redman in.

Funky beat, crunchy bass, uptempo sparse drum, funky guitar licks, good fresh track. "Men of Respect (Made Man Bloody Version)" is another extended posse: boom bap, rusty bass line, uptempo sparse drum, funky vibes, six emcees in. Lex Diamond drops the intro verse launching the joint with a subdued style, Eyeslow doesn't have much energy after him. The track is already slow, then Bad Luck comes in. Basic hook, Method Man in the fourth verse with his own style, then Cappadonna tears the cut going hardcore. The posse is closed by Termanology, who goes down with a calm and steady rapping. Posse that does not go down in history and does not even make its way among the best pieces of the album.

Choice number eleven features Eyeslow, La the Darkman and the two rappers from Brooklyn Zu 12 O'Clock and Ol' Dirty Bastard around dirty lyrics. Boom bap, crunchy drum, phat bass line, sharp synths, male vocal sample, good beat. Hardcore rapping by 12 O'Clock, who launches the piece, ODB is present only with a hook. Hardcore delivery by Eyeslow, there's also La the Darkman in the third verse. A southern rap piece follows with crunk elements to welcome Streetlife, Main Event and SkaNKS. Allah Real, Bad Luck, BlvdBenny, Eyeslow, FameUs Hol-Up Vet and Popa Wu in "Newcomer", on a boom bap production with poor hi-hats, minimal downtempo drums, plucked guitar. No one tears the cut. Outro, then there's a bonus where without much imagination, the producer titles "Da Bonus": on a sparkling layered production, boom bap with guitar riffs, raw bass, horns, piano, inside Eyeslow and Inspectah Deck. The Wu-Tang emcee drops a first verse with a syncopated style, leaving room for Eyeslow for the last verse, in another song intended for a southern audience.

Eyeslow is the main performer with eight tracks followed by Jim O'Brien and Method Man, both with three appearances. The CD is preceded by the mixtape "Prelude to The Answer", basically a solo tape of Eyeslow. Without any real promotion, released by All Maf Productions, the project starts off well with a Wu-Tang posse and continues badly, being buried by awkward lyrics, random songs and the constant presence of Eyeslow on the somewhat insipid rhythms of Mathematics. The album disappoints, it seems almost a bad mixtape and is the worst album of the Wu-Tang producer, never necessary.

Rating: 3/10.