After the disaster that was 8 diagrams, RZA must have got back in the lab and realized what fans of the Wu actually wanted. Hard rhymes over beats that can at least be considered "Hip-Hop" as opposed to "experimental". The production on this record is overseen by RZA, but the whole album uses live instrumentation from the group "The Revelations". It also features M.O.P.'s Lil' Fame producing a few tracks as well.
The album features all but three (living) members of the original clan. This is surprising considering the three, GZA, Method Man, and Masta Killa, were the least vocal in their displeasure of the last Wu-Tang album. In their place, the guest appearances may surprise, as all are credible established rappers. This includes Masta Ace, Cormega, Sean Price (BCC), Havoc (Mobb Deep), M.O.P., Kool G Rap as well as AZ and Sadat X, who have basically been written off in the last few years.
So what does a bunch of 30-40 yr old rappers over live instrumentation overseen by RZA create? The answer is the best album of 2009 so far.
The CD starts with an interlude called "Redemption" that uses old Kung-Fu movie voice samples calling for the clan to reclaim it's Honor. The theme of Movie samples, as well as RZA speaking on Wu-Tang wisdom and spirtuality, peices the album together when the music isn't playing. Only 8 of the 17 tracks on this album are actual songs.
The album starts with "Kill to Hard" features Inspectah Deck, U-God and Masta Ace. Wu-Tang's weakest member holds his own against two lyrical giants in rare form. The production is new, sharp and still Wu-Tang, setting the precedent for the album.
"Harbor Masters" with Ghostface, AZ and Deck features all three MC's pacing themselves over a slow drum beat. With Ghostface and two rappers that many would consider washed-up, AZ and Deck don't miss a beat. In fact, this album may be The Rebel-INS resurrection, as he is back in vintage, show stealing form. Next up is "Radiant Jewels", featuring Raekwon, Cormega and Sean Price. All three lyricist are trying to out-do each other while not ruining the flow of another excellent song.
"I wish you were here" is Ghostface in R&B form with NaS associate Tre Williams, who has proven to be a excellent singer to those familiar with him. Ghost spits a few gem's to the lady's as well "My minds telling me to stay calm, I'm tryin to get it off like a G bomb/ on top of your skin, I'm sliding it in, when I'm done you can wake it up and ride it again".
Any fan of 90's gangsta rap salivates over the dream Raekwon, Kool G Rap and M.O.P. collaboration. "Ill figures" somehow lives up to that guest list over a slow beat, Rae and G Rap slow their flows up and get lyrical. M.O.P. still uses the scream delivery, and yet they make it work. This is by far the best song this reviewer has heard all year.
"Evil Deeds" with Havoc, RZA and Ghostface and "Sound the Horns" with Deck, U-God and Brand Nubian's own Sadat X are better than most rappers best songs, though both suffer from weak choruses. The last official song on the album is probably the weakest, produced and performed by RZA, "NYC Crack" is still not a throwaway song.
With Cuban Linx 2 becoming some sort of a hostage crisis, Wu fans will be held over by this stunningly well done collaboration album. Certainly, the Wu-Tang clan has regained it's honor with this release. 4.5/5
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