After a good response to his previous compilation, Mathematics returns with a new CD featuring Wu-Tang Clan material, this time not unreleased. They are all remixes and previously released tracks. The disc features the Staten Island supergroup (Ghostface Killah, Method Man, Raekwon, U-God, Masta Killa, Inspectah Deck, GZA, RZA, ODB), affiliate Streetlife and the producer's friends Eyeslow and Buddah Bless, among others.
The tape is opened by "Clap", remix of "Hand Clap" from "The W" (2000): pounding and heavy beat provided by Mathematics, pretty agile performance by Wu-Tang, represented by Chef Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, Method Man and Lucky Hands. The next cut is a remix of "Respect Mine" from Mathematics debut: tight, gloomy, simple soundscape, hardcore deliveries by Lex Diamonds and Meth with Cappadonna. The third pick is one of the finest cuts in Masta Killa discography, "It's What It Is" ("Made in Brooklyn", 2006): tight and cinematic production where the swordsman from Shaolin is flanked by Ghostface and Raekwon. "Strawberries & Cream" is the same cut of Mathematics' "The Problem" (2005): Inspectah Deck opens the track with his dope flow, Allah Real sings the chorus, RZA spits bars with his rough voice, Ghostdeini rips the cut.
"Station ID Break" boasts a splendid tense and somber boom bap with crazy hi-hats, clapping drum, rough production, GZA rapping isn't exactly rewarded by the mixing. The tune number six is "All Flowers": harsh drum, heavy bass, dark and short piano, guitar licks. Raekwon with a silky flow before Method Man, that steals the track, short contributes by Lex Diamonds, then Ghostface Killah in the next stanza. The original contribute of Lord Superb of American Cream Team is removed in this remix, instead there's an additional verse performed by Ice da Don. There are two solo remixes executed by Method Man, over a good bouncy production, and Shallah Raekwon, with a tight soundscape, with elegant piano keys: the first is a remix of a homonymous track inserted in Mathematics second LP, the latter is a remix the same track present in "Wu-Tang Friends: Unreleased" (2007). RZA, Buddah Bless and Streetlife drop verses on "What It Is", jazzy rhythm with tight looped soul samples. The next choice is another tune taken from Noodles' second studio album: Masta Killa joins U-God, RZA and Tical for "Iron God Chamber", among the finest tracks of this tape.
Mathematics picks "Real Nillaz", his posse from "The Problem": Eyeslow, Ghostface and Raekwon trade verses on a exquisite soundscape, boom bap dark with soul samples and hardcore rap from the performers, with the long hook by Buddah Bless. Masta Killa is credited as featured here, but I lost his contribute in the track. Boom bap, chopped and looped female soul samples from O.V. Wright's "A Fool Can't See the Light", dark piano, fresh keyboards, tense and dark bassline in the background, dirty uptempo drum, crazy awesome beat. Hardcore delivery, breathless smoothness from Ghostface Killah who tears the cut, outstanding. Pretty sustained and endless hook from Buddah Bless, second verse delivered by Eyeslow, then Chef Raekwon comes in with class and sends the cut among the best moments of the record with an untouchable flow, dope.
GZA & Meth build "Rush" on a light and tight beat that has Dr. Dre / Eminem vibes: Johnny Blaze wraps the rhythm, GZA tries to kill it. The next track is a solo by Mathematics from his debut in 2003, then the DJ picks "Early Grave": his friend Bad Luck drops bars alongside Ol' Dirty Bastard over a production surrounded by horns. The disk is closed by "Keep Pace", on which Eyeslow spits with his irregular flow over a bouncy production realized by Mathematics. What a marketing move credits this solo by his friend as a [posse] track featuring the Wu-Tang Clan. At least in the bonus track "Spotlite" the Wu-Tang Clan is present: Method Man, U-God, Inspectah Deck and Cappadonna trade verses over a robust boom bap, the cut is the same of "The Spotlight" from "The Problem".
Raekwon is the rapper most present with six tracks, ahead of Ghostface (5), Method Man (5) and Rebel INS (4). Published by Gold Dust Media, this record full of tracks previously released isn't really essential for fans. 6/10.
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