Wu-Tang Clan - Wu-Tang Chamber Music Review

Posted by Patrick Robinson on 07.04.2009

After the mixed reception that 8 Diagrams received, the Clan has returned with another album that RZA promises is a throwback to the sound on their debut album! Is it really the taste of nostalgia the fans have been craving, or is it just an empty promise?

The Wu-Tang Clan are arguably one of the greatest rap groups ever, not to mention the largest. Their debut album Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) is a certified Classic, and their follow up album, Wu-Tang Forever is hailed as one of the best double disc albums in the history of hip-hop.

In recent years though, long time fans have watched as Ol’ Dirty Bastard’s death and internal conflicts resulted in a long hiatus from the hip-hop game. Their comeback album, 8 Diagrams in 2007 was welcomed, but largely viewed as being disappointing compared to what they are capable of.

Fast forward to 2009, and we are presented with Wu-Tang Chamber Music, a project executive produced by RZA which he describes as: “totally in the chamber, or in the mind-frame of Wu-Tang like in the [Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)] days. But it's not a Wu-Tang album. The whole Clan's not on this album. But it couldn't be in any other category but Wu-Tang”

With that in mind, is Wu-Tang Chamber Music indeed a throwback to the group’s Classic debut that fans have been craving for?



Tracks

1. Redemption
2. Kill Too Hard Ft. Inspectah Deck, U-God & Masta Ace
3. The Abbot (RZA)
4. Harbor Masters Ft. Ghostface Killah, Inspectah Deck & AZ
5. Sheep State (RZA)
6. Radiant Jewels Ft. Raekwon, Cormega & Sean Price
7. Supreme Architecture (RZA)
8. Evil Deeds Ft. Ghostface Killah, RZA & Havoc
9. Wise Men (RZA)
10. I Wish You Were Here Ft. Ghostface Killah & Tre Williams
11. Fatal Hesitation
12. Ill Figures Ft. Raekwon, M.O.P. & Kool G Rap
13. Free Like ODB (RZA)
14. Sound The Horns Ft. Inspectah Deck, U-God & Sadat X
15. Enlightened Statues (RZA)
16. NYC Crack Ft. RZA & Thea Van Seijen
17. One Last Question…

I should explain the album’s structure before we get into the thick of the review for those who may not be aware of it. Wu-Tang Chamber Music is a collection of 8 songs, each proceeded by an Interlude of sorts, and rounded out with one as well. The tracks with (RZA) denoted next to them represent Interludes where RZA gives his thoughts on various topics, such as what “The Abbot” represents in kung-fu movies and how it relates to his position in the Wu-Tang Clan. Tracks 1 and 11 on the other hand, are samples from old kung-fu movies, much like what was found on Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers).

With that in mind, it’s probably better to consider this as a ‘mood album’ as rather than try and craft a whole new project, RZA has aimed to try and recapture the essence of what made their debut album so popular, and he largely succeeds on Wu-Tang Chamber Music. The production was overseen by RZA to ensure that it was faithful to his original sound, but is mostly handled by The Revelations, a soul band from Brooklyn, and interestingly, Lil Fame from M.O.P. going under the “Fizzy Womack” alias. The grimy-sounding drums on “Harbor Masters” and “Ill Figures” sound like they were lifted straight out of a recording session from 1993. The opening seconds of “Kill Too Hard” will also transport a Wu-Tang fan to the 36 Chambers / Liquid Swords style of RZA’s production.

Lyrically, there’s a feel of the 90s New York lyricism which has been sorely lacking in the hip-hop game in recent years. Inspectah Deck reminds us why he’s one of the best jump-off artist’s with his opening verse on “Kill Too Hard” as he rips into the light percussion on the track. U-God also seems to have become invigorated since 8 Diagrams, as he keeps pace with Deck with ease. The Masta Ace of A Long Hot Summer seems to be forgotten as he opens up with “I’m going to the Summer Jam concert to bash your hero”, sounding more aggressive on this one verse than he has in years as he closes out with “It’s your boy Ace, BK’s own, all you ringtone rap dudes please stay home”.

“Radiant Jewels” is the best track on the album as Raekwon reminds us why Only Built 4 Cuban Linx II is still a highly anticipated album. Over light production backed by a mild string loop, Rae opens up the track for Cormega to absolutely steal the show with a stunning verse which should act as a refresher as to why Cormega was once mentioned alongside Nas and AZ as one of New York’s names to watch. Sean Price rounds out the track, and although his verse isn’t as good as Cormega’s, he certainly holds his own.

The guests on Wu-Tang Chamber Music are largely outside the usual circle of Wu-Tang affiliates. Havoc proves that his skills as a lyricist have improved greatly since Mobb Deep’s early years on “Evil Deeds”. M.O.P.’s presence on “Ill Figures” will make you wonder what a RZA-headed M.O.P. album would sound like (here’s a hint: Damn good) and listening to Kool G Rap gives you an insight to Ghost and Rae’s slang-driven style of rap as one of the pioneer’s of hip-hop from back in the day.

There are a couple of problems which may put you off about this album though. Firstly, it’s really only 8 songs and 9 Interludes (albeit fairly good ones that enhance the mood), and running for just over 35 minutes, makes it feel more like an EP and a fully fledged album. Secondly, a couple of the songs are censored (on my version anyway) for some inexplicable reason, despite the others containing profanity etc. It was quite distracting on “Harbor Masters” to miss every other word during Ghost’s verse. Finally, Method Man, GZA and Masta Killa are missing from the project. I understand that Meth is touring for Blackout! 2, but where are GZA and Masta Killa? As a big fan of GZA’s work, it was a bit disappointing in that sense too.

The 411: This one certainly isn’t for the mainstream, but for the fans who were a little frustrated with the direction that 8 Diagrams took and crave that 90s sound from the Clan. Wu-Tang fans should definitely check this one out, and for those who may be unfamiliar with the ruckus, this should be your first stop in discovering just what made the Clan so popular back in the day.

Final Score:  8.0   [ Very Good ]