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After a host of disappointing solo albums and quickly diminishing celebrity (most of the latter devoted to the continuing extra-legal saga of Ol' Dirty Bastard), Wu-Tang Clan returned, very quietly, with 2000's The W. The lack of hype was fitting, for this is a very spartan work, especially compared to its predecessor, the sprawling and overblown Wu-Tang Forever. While the trademark sound is still much in force, group mastermind RZA jettisoned the elaborate beat symphonies and carefully placed strings of Forever in favor of tight productions with little more than scarred soul samples and tight, tough beats. The back-to-basics approach works well, not only because it rightly puts the focus back on the best cadre of rappers in the world of hip-hop, but also because RZA's immense trackmaster talents can't help but shine through anyway. Paranoid kung fu samples and bizarre found sounds drive the fantastic streets-is-watching nightmare "Careful (Click, Click)." Unfortunately, though, The W isn't quite the masterpiece it sounds like after the first few tracks. It falls prey to the same inconsistency as Forever, resulting in half-formed tracks like "Conditioner," with Snoop Dogg barely saving Ol' Dirty Bastard's lone appearance on the LP, a phoned-in vocal (in terms of sound and quality). When they're hitting on all cylinders though, Wu-Tang Clan are nearly invincible; "Let My Niggas Live," a feature with Nas, isn't just claustrophobic and dense but positively strangling, and singles material like "Protect Ya Neck (The Jump Off)" and "Do You Really (Thang, Thang)" are punishing tracks. Paring down Wu-Tang Forever -- nearly a two-hour set -- to the 60-minute work found here was a good start, but the Wu could probably create another masterpiece worthy of their debut if they spent even more time in the editing room.
© John Bush /TiVo
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GZA, FeaturedArtist, AssociatedPerformer - C. Smith, Composer, Lyricist - G. Grice, Composer, Lyricist - Elgin Turner, Composer, Lyricist - J. Reid, Composer, Lyricist - Masta Killa, FeaturedArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Method Man, FeaturedArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Junior Reid, FeaturedArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Robert Diggs, Composer, Lyricist - Wu-Tang Clan, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Raekwon, FeaturedArtist, AssociatedPerformer - The RZA for Wu-Tang Productions, Inc., Producer, Mixing Engineer - Jose"Choco" Reynoso, Mixing Engineer, Recording Engineer - Wu-Tang Clan feat. Junior Reid, AssociatedPerformer - Wu-Tang Clan feat. Raekwon, GZA, Method Man, Masta Killa, AssociatedPerformer
(P) 2000 Loud Records LLC
Darryl Hill, Composer, Lyricist - J. Hunter, Composer, Lyricist - Dennis Coles, Composer, Lyricist - U-God, FeaturedArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Elgin Turner, Composer, Lyricist - Lamont Hawkins, Composer, Lyricist - Masta Killa, FeaturedArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Ghostface Killah, FeaturedArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Robert Diggs, Composer, Lyricist - Wu-Tang Clan, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Cappadonna, FeaturedArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Inspectah Deck, FeaturedArtist, AssociatedPerformer - RZA, FeaturedArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Jose "Choco" Reynoso, Mixing Engineer - Joe Yannece, Mastering Engineer - The RZA for Wu Tang Productions Inc., Producer - Jose"Choco" Reynoso, Recording Engineer - Wu-Tang Clan feat. RZA, U-God, Masta Killa, Cappadonna, Ghostface Killah, Inspectah Deck, AssociatedPerformer
(P) 2000 RCA Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
Corey Woods, Composer, Lyricist - Jason Hunter, Composer, Lyricist - Ghostface Killah, FeaturedArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Robert Diggs, Composer, Lyricist - Wu-Tang Clan, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Raekwon, FeaturedArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Inspectah Deck, FeaturedArtist, AssociatedPerformer - The RZA for Wu-Tang Productions, Inc., Producer, Mixing Engineer - Jose"Choco" Reynoso, Mixing Engineer - Jose" Choco" Reynoso, Recording Engineer - Wu-Tang Clan feat. Raekwon, Inspectah Deck, Ghostface Killah, AssociatedPerformer
(P) 2000 RCA Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
Reggie Noble, Composer, Lyricist - Ghostface Killah, FeaturedArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Method Man, FeaturedArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Redman, FeaturedArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Robert Diggs, Composer, Lyricist - Wu-Tang Clan, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Raekwon, FeaturedArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Inspectah Deck, FeaturedArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Tony Gillis, Mastering Engineer - The RZA for Wu-Tang Productions, Inc., Producer, Mixing Engineer - Jose"Choco" Reynoso, Mixing Engineer, Recording Engineer - Wu-Tang Clan feat. Redman, Method Man, Inspectah Deck, Ghostface Killah, Raekwon, AssociatedPerformer
(P) 2000 RCA Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
Elgin Turner, Composer, Lyricist - Masta Killa, FeaturedArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Junior Reid, Composer, Lyricist, FeaturedArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Robert Diggs, Composer, Lyricist - Wu-Tang Clan, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - The RZA for Wu-Tang Productions, Inc., Producer, Mixing Engineer - Jose"Choco" Reynoso, Mixing Engineer, Recording Engineer - Wu-Tang Clan feat. Masta Killa, Junior Reid, AssociatedPerformer
(P) 2000 RCA Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
Ol' Dirty Bastard, FeaturedArtist, AssociatedPerformer - GZA, FeaturedArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Russell Jones, Composer, Lyricist - Calvin Broadus, Composer, Lyricist - Snoop Dogg, FeaturedArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Robert Diggs, Composer, Lyricist - Wu-Tang Clan, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Inspectah Deck, FeaturedArtist, AssociatedPerformer - The RZA for Wu-Tang Productions, Inc., Producer, Mixing Engineer - Jose"Choco" Reynoso, Recording Engineer - Jose"Choco" Reynoso, Mixing Engineer - Wu-Tang Clan feat. Ol' Dirty Bastard, GZA, Inspectah Deck, Snoop Dogg, AssociatedPerformer
(P) 2000 Loud Records LLC
GZA, FeaturedArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Clifford Smith, Composer, Lyricist - Darryl Hill, Composer, Lyricist - Corey Woods, Composer, Lyricist - Dennis Coles, Composer, Lyricist - U-God, FeaturedArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Elgin Turner, Composer, Lyricist - Lamont Hawkins, Composer, Lyricist - Jason Hunter, Composer, Lyricist - Gary Grice, Composer, Lyricist - Masta Killa, FeaturedArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Ghostface Killah, FeaturedArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Method Man, FeaturedArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Robert Diggs, Composer, Lyricist - Wu-Tang Clan, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Raekwon, FeaturedArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Cappadonna, FeaturedArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Inspectah Deck, FeaturedArtist, AssociatedPerformer - RZA, FeaturedArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Tony Gillis, Mastering Engineer - The RZA for Wu Tang Productions Inc., Producer, Mixing Engineer - Jose "Choco" Reynoso, Mixing Engineer, Recording Engineer - Wu-Tang Clan feat. Inspectah Deck, Raekwon, Method Man, Masta Killa, RZA, Ghostface Killah, U-God, Cappadonna, GZA, AssociatedPerformer
(P) 2000 RCA Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
Nasir Jones, Composer, Lyricist - Corey Woods, Composer, Lyricist - Robert Diggs, Composer, Lyricist - Nas, FeaturedArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Wu-Tang Clan, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Raekwon, FeaturedArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Inspectah Deck, FeaturedArtist, AssociatedPerformer - The RZA for Wu-Tang Productions, Inc., Producer, Mixing Engineer - Jose"Choco" Reynoso, Mixing Engineer, Recording Engineer - Wu-Tang Clan feat. Raekwon, Inspectah Deck, Nas, AssociatedPerformer
(P) 2000 Loud Records LLC
Issac Hayes, FeaturedArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Isaac Hayes, Composer, Lyricist - Ghostface Killah, FeaturedArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Robert Diggs, Composer, Lyricist - Wu-Tang Clan, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - RZA, FeaturedArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Tony Gillis, Mastering Engineer - The RZA for Wu-Tang Productions, Inc., Producer, Mixing Engineer - Jose"Choco" Reynoso, Mixing Engineer, Recording Engineer - Wu-Tang Clan feat. Ghostface Killah, RZA, Issac Hayes, AssociatedPerformer
(P) 2000 RCA Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
C. Smith, Composer, Lyricist - J. Hunter, Composer, Lyricist - R. Bean, Composer, Lyricist - Elgin Turner, Composer, Lyricist - P. Charles, Composer, Lyricist - Masta Killa, FeaturedArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Method Man, FeaturedArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Wu-Tang Clan, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Streetlife, FeaturedArtist, AssociatedPerformer - DJ Kay Slay, FeaturedArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Inspectah Deck, FeaturedArtist, AssociatedPerformer - The RZA for Wu-Tang Productions, Inc., Mixing Engineer - Jose"Choco" Reynoso, Mixing Engineer, Recording Engineer - Allah Mathematics for Wu-Tang Productions, Inc., Producer - Wu-Tang Clan feat. DJ Kay Slay, Method Man, Streetlife, Masta Killa, Inspectah Deck, AssociatedPerformer
(P) 2000 Loud Records LLC
GZA, FeaturedArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Corey Woods, Composer, Lyricist - Dennis Coles, Composer, Lyricist - G. Grice, Composer, Lyricist - J. Reid, Composer, Lyricist - Busta Rhymes, FeaturedArtist, AssociatedPerformer - The RZA for Wu-Tang Productions, Mixing Engineer - Robert Diggs, Composer, Lyricist - Wu-Tang Clan, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Raekwon, FeaturedArtist, AssociatedPerformer - The RZA for Wu-Tang Productions, Inc., Producer - Jose"Choco" Reynoso, Mixing Engineer - Jose"Choco" Reynoso, Recording Engineer - Wu-Tang Clan feat. Raekwon, GZA, Busta Rhymes, AssociatedPerformer
(P) 2000 RCA Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
Clifford Smith, Composer, Lyricist - Corey Woods, Composer, Lyricist - Dennis Coles, Composer, Lyricist - U-God, FeaturedArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Lamont Hawkins, Composer, Lyricist - Paulissa Moorman, Composer, Lyricist - Ghostface Killah, FeaturedArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Method Man, FeaturedArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Robert Diggs, Composer, Lyricist - Wu-Tang Clan, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Raekwon, FeaturedArtist, AssociatedPerformer - RZA, FeaturedArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Jose "Choco" Reynoso, Mixing Engineer - Joe Yannece, Mastering Engineer - The RZA for Wu Tang Productions Inc., Producer - The RZA for Wu Tang Productions Inc., Mixing Engineer - Jose "Choco" Reynoso, Recording Engineer - Wu-Tang Clan feat. RZA, Method Man, Ghostface Killah, Raekwon, U-God, AssociatedPerformer
(P) 2000 RCA Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
Dennis Coles, Composer, Lyricist - Ghostface Killah, FeaturedArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Junior Reid, Composer, Lyricist, FeaturedArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Robert Diggs, Composer, Lyricist - Wu-Tang Clan, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - RZA, FeaturedArtist, AssociatedPerformer - The RZA for Wu-Tang Productions, Inc., Producer, Mixing Engineer - Jose"Choco" Reynoso, Mixing Engineer, Recording Engineer - Wu-Tang Clan feat. Ghostface Killah, RZA, Junior Reid, AssociatedPerformer
(P) 2000 Loud Records LLC
Albumbeschreibung
After a host of disappointing solo albums and quickly diminishing celebrity (most of the latter devoted to the continuing extra-legal saga of Ol' Dirty Bastard), Wu-Tang Clan returned, very quietly, with 2000's The W. The lack of hype was fitting, for this is a very spartan work, especially compared to its predecessor, the sprawling and overblown Wu-Tang Forever. While the trademark sound is still much in force, group mastermind RZA jettisoned the elaborate beat symphonies and carefully placed strings of Forever in favor of tight productions with little more than scarred soul samples and tight, tough beats. The back-to-basics approach works well, not only because it rightly puts the focus back on the best cadre of rappers in the world of hip-hop, but also because RZA's immense trackmaster talents can't help but shine through anyway. Paranoid kung fu samples and bizarre found sounds drive the fantastic streets-is-watching nightmare "Careful (Click, Click)." Unfortunately, though, The W isn't quite the masterpiece it sounds like after the first few tracks. It falls prey to the same inconsistency as Forever, resulting in half-formed tracks like "Conditioner," with Snoop Dogg barely saving Ol' Dirty Bastard's lone appearance on the LP, a phoned-in vocal (in terms of sound and quality). When they're hitting on all cylinders though, Wu-Tang Clan are nearly invincible; "Let My Niggas Live," a feature with Nas, isn't just claustrophobic and dense but positively strangling, and singles material like "Protect Ya Neck (The Jump Off)" and "Do You Really (Thang, Thang)" are punishing tracks. Paring down Wu-Tang Forever -- nearly a two-hour set -- to the 60-minute work found here was a good start, but the Wu could probably create another masterpiece worthy of their debut if they spent even more time in the editing room.
© John Bush /TiVo
About the album
- 1 disc(s) - 13 track(s)
- Total length: 00:53:57
- Main artists: Wu-Tang Clan
- Composer: Various Composers
- Label: Loud Records
- Genre: Hip-Hop/Rap
(P) 2000 Loud Records LLC
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