First off, here's a listing of which artists perform each track:
1. Introduction
2. Lyrical Swords - Ras Kass & GZA
3. Slow Blues - Vast Aire (of Cannibal Ox), Byata, Timbo King & Prodigal Sunn
4. Still Grimey - U-God, Sean Price, Prodigal Sunn & C-Rayz Walz
5. Skit
6. Think Differently - Casual, Tragedy Khadafi, Rock Marciano & Vordul Mega (of Cannibal Ox)
7. Informercial #1
8. Biochemical Equation - RZA & MF Doom
9. O.D.B. Tribute - DJ Noize
10. Fragments - Del Tha Funkee Homosapien
11. Intermission
12. Street Corners - Bronze Nazareth, Soloman Childs & Byata
13. Listen - Littles, Khalid & Planet Asia
14. Infomercial #2
15. Verses - Scaramanga Shallah, La The Darkman, Ras Kass & GZA
16. Preservation - Aesop Rock & Del Tha Funkee Homosapien
17. Cars on the Interstate - C.C.F. Division (Shacronz & Freemurda)
18. Give It Up - J-Live & R.A. The Rugged Man
19. Black Dawn - Bronze Nazareth
Now to the review: 'Wu Tang Meets Indie Cultre' is a compilation album put together by Dreddy Kruger, an affliate of the Wu Tang Clan and a part time rapper (you might remember his fairly bad verse on 'Graveyard Chamber' from the Gravediggaz' debut album). The concept was bringing Wu Tang affiliated rappers/producers and the best of the hip hop underground together for some crazy collaberations that you can't help but think were made to happen (whoever got GZA & Ras Kass together on the same track, let alone 2, deserves a medal). It's also interesting to read about how each song came to be, which is inclded in the booklet. The result is a unique blend of the signiture Wu Tang feel and the top voices of todays indie rap scene, in an album that anyone who likes the guest list should check out.
When I saw the list of the rappers that were set to appear on this album, I knew that this album had incredible potential. The album lives up to my expectations, and was definately enjoyable, but it could have been better. Some verses are a little weak, and some of the production could have been better, but as I said, the overall product is stll dope. Upcoming Wu producer Bronze Nazareth provides most of the production, doing every song but Still Grimey (Preservation), Biochemical Equation (RZA), Verses (DJ Noize), Preservation (Preservation), Cars On The Interstate (Mathematics) & Give It Up (Preservation). For the most part he does a very good job, keeping it interesting, and providing a great backdrop for the many different MCs featured here. I'm definately going to be looking for more material by him in the future (the only other things I had heard from him are his couple of beats on RZA's 'Birth Of A Prince'). On 'Street Corners' and his solo track 'Black Dawn' he shows that he's actually a pretty good rapper, too. Preservation also impressed me with his few beats ('Verses' was one of the best on the CD) and he did a great job with the production of the infomercials.
Top 5 Songs (In Order):
1. Verses - As I said, one of my favorite beats on the album, and features 2 of my favorite MCs (Ras Kass & GZA). I'm also a big fan of La The Darkman, who drops a hot verse as well as Scaramanga Shallah who I had actually never heard of before.
2. Lyrical Swords - Ras Kass & GZA are 2 of my all time favorite rappers, and easily 2 of the best lyricists in the game. My favorite beat on the album, plus 2 dope verses (this would've been #1 if it wasn't so short), this is a sick track you need to hear. These 2 REALLY need to do an album together...Incredible chemistry
3. Still Grimey - I don't like the chorus, but the beat and the genius combination of U-God, Sean Price, Progidal Sunn & C-Rayz Walz make this a stand out.
4. O.D.B. Tribute - This is only an instrumental with some scratched samples, but it's truly a GREAT track, and a fitting tribute to the fallen Wu members. DJ Noize does an incredible job here, and true fans of Wu Tang should recognize most, if not all of the vocal samples.
5. Fragments - Solo from Del, didn't like it that much at first, but it really grew on me, and is now one of my favorites. Just a great personal track with some dope production and sampling from Bronze Nazareth.
Worst Track:
Cars On The Interstate - Not really a bad song, but definately the worst on the album. After hearing Shacronz & Freemurda (CCF Division) on various Wu affiliated albums, I didn't expect much from this song. Good beat provided by Mathematics, but Shacronz just doesn't come through (Freemurda is only on the hook).
Lyrics/Substance/Subject Matter - 8/10
Flow/Delivery - 8.5/10
Production - 8.5/10
Overall Feel - 8/10
Overall Rating - 8/10 - Great album, any fan of underground rap and the Wu Tang Clan should pick this up.