In 1999, this compilation of tracks by Wu-Tang Clan and artists affiliated with the Staten Island group was released in order to create a promotional showcase for as many Wu-Tang artists as possible. The production was handled almost entirely by RZA, with the rest of the beats being made by Easy Mo Bee, E-Swift, Smokin' Joe, Self Service, Havoc and Smoke. Guests outside the Wu universe include The Notorious BIG, Mobb Deep, Big Noyd, AZ, D'Angelo, Cocoa Brovaz aka Smif-n-Wessun, Tha Alkaholiks, Heltah Skeltah and Ras Kass.
From the first seconds, is an absolute classic and one of the best songs made by the Wu-Tang Clan: raw skit from "Shogun Assassin" (1980) accompanied by the movie soundtrack, then distorted synths, hard, fantastic uptempo drum, beautiful sample by Willie Mitchell's "Groovin'" united with a extract from the song theme of "Dharmatma" (1975) — the first Bollywood movie to be shot in Afghanistan —, heavy boom bap, very tense, bleak, with "Blade Runner" (1982) vibes. Ghost Face Killer is at his best and destroys the cut with a raw and energetic flow, it follows Killah Priest with a calm and slow style, RZA is inspired on his soundscape providing a raw, bumpy, good rap, then GZA is the last MC, calm, sharp, he always seems in control of the situation and this is one of the great strengths of this CD. They are all trying to outdo each other, Ghostface opens in a great way, Killah Priest brings out a dope verse that is addressed to everyone (even to Raekwon who is not present in the track, but is there with them as he's finishing recording his first album), RZA delivers one of his best verses with one of his best performances ever, GZA completes one of the best posse tracks ever with mastery. Track taken from GZA's "Liquid Swords" (1995), what a way to open a compilation.
2. "Wu-Gambinos" (Raekwon ft. Masta Killa & Method Man)
Long skit from the movie "The Killer" (1989), then Wu-Tang Clan posse with Johnny Blaze, Lex Diamonds, Bobby Steels, Noodles, and Tony Starks. Wonderful piano and violin sample from Henry Mancini & Doc Severinsen's "If", RZA sets up a hard, pounding, slow, tight drum and gives the whole choice a perfect mafia vibe. Powerful, velvety, slow delivery by Johnny Blaze. Lex Diamonds has a calm, slow, flowing, sharp, dope style. Blaze's short hook, then Bobby Steels in his only presence as performer on the entire "Only Built 4 Cuban Linx...": he delivers with an aggressive, raw, hardcore, flowing, straight style. Noodles arrives precise, calm, effortless, regular, then Tony Starks, in the last verse, rips the cut with an urgent, angry, hardcore, smoothness, dope flow. Excellent posse track, taken from Lex Diamond's "Purple Tape" (1995).
3. "The What" (The Notorious B.I.G. & Method Man)
Vinyl crackle sound, perfect midtempo dry dusty drum, heavy bass line, vibrant, deep, fantastic, brilliant sample from Leroy Hutson's "Can't Say Enough About Mom", relaxed mood. Biggie lets this sublime Easy Mo Bee beat breathe, then enters with an elegant, flowing, velvety, dope style. The second verse features the only guest on the record, Method Man of the Wu-Tang Clan, the only one to have taken part in records by both Biggie Smalls and 2Pac with both artists alive. The emcee goes down with a smoothness, focused, dope flow, which the guy himself claims is inspired by Nas. Short hook from both, then Tical stays at the mic to deliver another fabulous verse. The Notorious BIG makes a classic by placing a tight fourth stanza, hook, outro. Biggie becomes the first guest outside the Wu universe on this compilation.
4. "Cold World (RZA Mix) (Genius ft. D'Angelo, Inspectah Deck & Streetlife)
Splendid remix by RZA of this masterpiece from "Liquid Swords", second studio album ever by The Genius. While in the original the sample from "Rocket Love" by Stevie Wonder was used to launch the track, here is used for the basement of the rhythm as the main sample. Harsh, minimal, heavy drum, robust and deep bass, piano keys, pleasant cinematic sounds. The movie skits are removed, there's D'Angelo for the introductory chorus instead of GZA cousin. The Genius and The Inspektor with a verse each, a new classic is born. Streetlife is wrongly credited as guest, but he's not in the track.
5. "Tragedy" (The RZA)
Tune from "Rhyme & Reason" (1997) soundtrack, production credited to The RZA & True Master. Splendid deep bass line, dusty drum, sample from "Here Comes the Rain Again" by Eurythmics. Bobby Steelz enters hardcore and drop bars with a powerful style, focused, in shape. Chorus by the singer Tha Truth, then RZA again with the last stanza, again hardcore to tears the track.
6. "Black Trump" (Cocoa Brovaz ft. Raekwon, uncredited)
Self Service creates a somewhat strange musical carpet. The drums are East Coast, dry, hard, metallic, heavy. There's however a disgusting shrill synthesizer, stolen from the sounds of the West Coast. On this alienating rhythm, Steele, Raekwon and Tek try to tear the piece. There's a long hook, then a back n forth of the Cocoa Brovaz begins, they bring home the joint. Raekwon returns for the outro. A hit for the club that could also have been chosen as a single by the boys for their second CD, "The Rude Awakening" (1998).
7. "Hip Hop Drunkies" (Tha Alkaholiks ft. Ol' Dirty Bastard)
Dirt McGirt joins Tha Liks on this track of "Likwidation" (1997). Effective and sublime rhythm by E-Swift and Marley Marl: raw bassline, midtempo bare drum, dotted piano, rattles. Hardcore rapping by Tash that tears up the cut, sick irregular hardcore delivery by Ol' Dirty Bastard, who delivers bars with his crazy inflections. J-Ro has the honor of moving the track forward after the memorable performance of the Wu-Tang leader. Basic hook, then the three interpreters exchange short verses for another couple of minutes, with an absurd Ol' Dirty who goes to spit lines with the same inflection as RZA, killing the cut.
8. "Gunz 'N Onez (Iz U Wit Me)" (Heltah Skeltah ft. Method Man)
Beautiful production by Smoke. Phat bass, harsh, dry, midtempo drum, dusty strings, cheerful piano keys, pleasant samples. Hook by Rock, then first verse realized by Method Man, with a fantastic rapping style, dope. Ruck bka Sean Price regular in the second stanza, then the joint is closed by the final verse of Rock, hardcore, smoothness, powerful flow.
9. "Latunza Hit" (Wu-Syndicate)
Smokin' Joe's liquid rhythm, deep bass line, hard dry dusty drum, chopped chipmunk soul samples, haunting sounds, Myalansky's breathless hardcore delivery igniting the beat in one of the most overlooked cuts on this compilation. The track is then inserted in the debut album of the group Wu-Syndicate, released in the same year as this effort.
10. "Wake Up" (Killarmy ft. Sunz of Man)
B-side of the group's first single "Camouflage Ninjas" from Killarmy's debut CD "Silent Weapons for Quiet Wars". Joe Harrell's "The Lonely Man", which served as the intro theme music for "The Incredible Hulk" tv series in 1978, is the main sample for this wonderful beat invented by The RZA, but that song has some piano keys that are similar to those of "Love Story" by Henry Mancini. Chorus performed by both the group affiliated with Wu-Tang Clan, then 9th Prince at the first stanza. The youngster of Killarmy drops bars with energy, then there's a hook on those sad and melancholy piano keys that seem to come right from Mancini's "Love Story". Hell Razah of Sunz of Man comes in with a rough rapping at his finest, Killa Sin enters right now and tears the rhythm with a rapping worthy of the best Wu-Tang Clan classic LPs. After the second contribute of a Killarmy member, Prodigal Sunn of Sunz of Man arrives for the last verse and delivers with style. This is one of the finest cut of the record.
11. "Young Godz" (Shyheim ft. Killa Sin, Madman, Rubbabandz, Raekwon & The RZA, the last two uncredited)
Track from Shyheim's second CD "The Lost Generation" (1996). Intro by RZA and Raekwon, both uncredited. Dark production by The Abbot, chunky bassline in the background, haunting flute sample loop, dry midtempo drum. Hardcore delivery by Shyheim, hook by Bobby Steels and Lex Diamonds, energetic second verse by 9th Prince aka Madman. The Killarmy boy drops bars in an attempt to imitate his older brother Steelz. Rubbabandz of GP Wu comes in more calmly and quietly than previous rappers, delivering his lyrics with a clean delivery that contrasts with a dirty, raw and dark beat. On the fourth and final verse, Killa Sin rips the cut with a crisp, tight, smoothness, dope delivery. Long final chorus by RZA that seems to go on forever. Amazing cut in Shyheim's discography.
12. "Right Back At You" (Mobb Deep ft. Big Noyd, Raekwon & Ghostface Killah, the last two uncredited)
One of the greatest soundscapes ever by Havoc. Harsh, metallic, dry, midtempo drum machine, phat bass, dusty strings, sample from "Benjamin" by Les McCann. Prodigy kills the cut. In the chorus, his crew has met a rival who's now alone and no longer swaggering, they point their weapons at him and in the event that he decides to try and replicate, the fire would return at him ("right back at you"). Havoc drop some bars from his guest spot "Set It" by PHD, keeping the mood of the tune, then Ghostface Killah & Chef Raekwon in back and forth, one of the finest of the genre. Big Noyd closes the track with a inspired last stanza, he's in shape.
13. "Whatever Happened (The Birth)" (AZ ft. The RZA, uncredited)
This choice is among the greatest tracks of "Pieces of a Man" (1998). Dark, gloomy production by Bobby Digital. Rough bass line, dry harsh drum, obscure samples. Intro, hook and bars from AZ with his slickest flow. RZA enters hardcore and leaves a extra-verse, his irregular style sounds really appropriate over this amazing soundscape.
14. "Semi-Automatic: Full Rap Metal Jacket" (Inspectah Deck, U-God & Streetlife)
The beat sounds like a waste of The RZA, it's weak. Drum uptempo, dirty, poor, shoddy loops, U-God goes straight hardcore and rips the beat. Rebel INS offers a good performance, then the track is closed by the affiliate Streetlife, regular flow, tight rapping. The joint is included in "High School High" (1996) soundtrack.
15. "The End" (Ras Kass ft. The RZA, uncredited)
Second Easy Mo Bee production on this album after the Biggie piece. Phat bass line, soft midtempo drum, melodic samples, gorgeous rhythm. RZA delivers with a gruff, urgent, angry, rough, raw and irregular rapping style that immediately offers a contrast to the calm, clean, tranquility and linearity of the beat. Ras Kass descends with a velvety flow that suits the liquid musical choice offered by Easy Mo Bee. Skit outro. Classic cut from his album "Rasassination" (1998).
16. "'96 Recreation (Demo)" (Ol' Dirty Bastard, Cappadonna & The RZA)
Strangely enough, there are no production credits for this track that closes out the Wu-Tang Clan compilation. Brilliant sample from "Ferry Cross the Mersey" by Gerry and The Pacemakers, vibrant, deep, solid bass line, nice hi-hats, sparse midtempo drum, sweet and elegant looping piano keys, fantastic rhythm. Maybe wrongly, I would say The RZA behind the keyboards, even if the bass line is that typical of 4th Disciple that you can hear in several cuts of Killarmy's debut album. The track is a cypher between RZA and Cappadonna who continue to exchange verses throughout in freestyle. There's also a contribution from ODB in the middle of the joint: while Bobby Digital and Don Cappachino spit with rough energy, Ol' Dirty Bastard presents one of his calmest and smoothest flows, following the current of the beat. Fantastic cut, incredibly hidden in the Wu-Tang discography. Appropriate closing for a very solid compilation.
Final Thoughts
Second compilation by Wu-Tang Clan after "The Swarm" (1998). In the effort are present all members of Wu-Tang Clan (Genius aka GZA, The RZA, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, Masta Killa, Method Man, Inspectah Deck, U-God and Ol' Dirty Bastard), 9th Prince (even credited as Madman), Killa Sin and Islord of Killarmy, Hell Razah, Killah Priest and Prodigal Sunn of Sunz of Man, Rubbabandz of GP Wu, Wu-Syndicate (represented by a solo track of Myalansky) and the affiliated rappers Cappadonna (official member of the Clan years later) and Streetlife. This is one of the official disk to include all ten members of the Staten Island supergroup. RZA is the main producer and rapper of the tape, appearing in 7 tracks out of 11. Among other performers, stand out Raekwon (5), Method Man (3), Ghostface Killah (3), GZA (2), ODB (2), Inspectah Deck (2), Killa Sin (2) and 9th Prince (2).
There's no logic in the sequence of tracks, so after a classic you might find something you've never head of from an affiliate of the Wu, giving life to an irregular CD with no real cohesion. Released by Wu-Tang Records, distributed by Priority, it achieved good sales results both in US (#25 in the pop chart, #16 among rnb records) both in Europe. Recommended for Wu stans, even if isn't essential. 6/10.
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