At the end of Part I I made a remark about how the best possible listening experience one will listen to all of the Golden Age releases in the order of release. I'll provide some clarification on why that is, and why this is important to keep in mind just about the Golden Age of Wu-Tang, as opposed to so many other artists.
There are some very good reasons to listen to the Wu-Tang Golden Age in order of release. Firstly, all seven of the albums were recorded in a span of just under four years. Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) was released November 9, 1993 and Wu-Tang Forever was released June 3, 1997 (all the release dates can be seen in Part I). While this is indicative of a tremendous creative outpouring, it also allows (due to the amount of material released, totaling in at 117 songs) the listener to have a very keen insight into the creative processes and changes. Why should you care, you might ask? I couldn't give two flying fucks (or even one for that matter) if you care or not. This is my view on how to best experience the Golden Age of Wu-Tang Clan. That doesn't mean that every time you want to listen to Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... you have to go and listen to Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers), Tical, and Return to the 36 Chambers: the Dirty Version first. Obviously you can listen to all of these albums on their own and it should be noted that they all hold up on their own. All I'm trying to tell you is that if you want a great listening experience, as well as an insight into the creative processes going on within Wu-Tang Clan at the time (mostly with RZA) you'll do what I say.
Maybe I'm just PMSing today.
Showing posts with label A Short Guide to Wu-Tang Clan. Show all posts
Showing posts with label A Short Guide to Wu-Tang Clan. Show all posts
Wednesday, 5 March 2014
A Short Guide to Wu-Tang Clan (Part II)
The first part of this guide gave a brief overview of the albums released during the Golden Age of Wu-Tang Clan. For this part of the guide, I'll expand on some of the concepts covered in the last section, and explain a bit more about what happened after the Golden Age. To understand this, I'll first go over RZA's 5 Year Plan.
The 5 Year Plan
RZA, as the producer and leader of Wu-Tang Clan had the most influence over its early direction. While shopping for an initial record deal, the Clan struggled, because they required that every member be able to sign with a different label if they so chose. The Clan also wished to retain nearly complete creative control over its own projects. Eventually they managed to get the deal they sought (again, this is what Wikipedia/Google/etc. is/are for). This was the beginning of RZA's 5 Year Plan. The basic idea is what follows: for the first 5 years (1993-1997) the RZA would maintain creative directorial control over all Wu-Tang releases. For those five years he produced and executive produced all the albums released. He also masterminded many Wu-Tang affiliate groups on various Wu-related albums, and brought about the creation of Wu-Tang Clan's clothing line, Wu-Wear. Once the Wu brand was firmly established with a uniform sound and uniform quality, the group members would diversify with different sounds, producers and side projects. This would allow for the Wu-Tang Clan to have as much music industry power and influence as possible. RZA's plan was thought out in far more detail than I have described. Of course, things didn't go quite as planned.
After the first five years, where all the Wu projects released were incredibly successful (except Wu-Wear, and good) RZA instructed all the members of Wu-Tang to go out and work with affiliates and outside producers for their next projects, while he and Ghostface worked together on his second album (and what many consider to be his best), Supreme Clientele. During this period Method Man, GZA, RZA, ODB, Raekwon, U-God and Inspectah Deck released albums. GZA's album, while not as acclaimed as the indispensible Liquid Swords, is still an excellent addition to the Wu-Tang cannon. Even though it is a bit skit heavy (although none of them are terrible or too long) which disrupts the flow of the album, the album still succeeds in expanding on Wu repertoire. The same goes for Inspectah Deck's debut album, Uncontrolled Substance. This album was actually supposed to be released in the first round of Wu releases with complete RZA production. Due to the flood of RZA's studio, etc. the album was lost and later re-recorded with Deck production instead. Method Man, U-God and Raekwon's albums all fall completely flat, with varying levels of failure and financial success. RZA and ODB's albums proved to be the most divisive for many fans. Unlike the Meth, Rae and U-God albums they're not flat-out failures, rather interesting experiments in a different area of hip hop. You'll either like them or you won't, but the efforts are admirable in any case.
As mentioned previously, RZA left all the members of Wu-Tang to fend for themselves (to varied success) while he "called dibs" on Ghostface. The results of this are two prison sentences (assault and possession of a firearm) a several month trip to Africa and the writing and recording of the album Supreme Clientele. The importance of this album to Wu-Tang cannot be overstated. Coming out after Raekwon's Immobilarity, one of the most disappointing releases of the second round, Supreme Clientele signaled the Wu's return to prominence, something that their third group album The W would firmly establish in 2000.
The 5 Year Plan
RZA, as the producer and leader of Wu-Tang Clan had the most influence over its early direction. While shopping for an initial record deal, the Clan struggled, because they required that every member be able to sign with a different label if they so chose. The Clan also wished to retain nearly complete creative control over its own projects. Eventually they managed to get the deal they sought (again, this is what Wikipedia/Google/etc. is/are for). This was the beginning of RZA's 5 Year Plan. The basic idea is what follows: for the first 5 years (1993-1997) the RZA would maintain creative directorial control over all Wu-Tang releases. For those five years he produced and executive produced all the albums released. He also masterminded many Wu-Tang affiliate groups on various Wu-related albums, and brought about the creation of Wu-Tang Clan's clothing line, Wu-Wear. Once the Wu brand was firmly established with a uniform sound and uniform quality, the group members would diversify with different sounds, producers and side projects. This would allow for the Wu-Tang Clan to have as much music industry power and influence as possible. RZA's plan was thought out in far more detail than I have described. Of course, things didn't go quite as planned.
After the first five years, where all the Wu projects released were incredibly successful (except Wu-Wear, and good) RZA instructed all the members of Wu-Tang to go out and work with affiliates and outside producers for their next projects, while he and Ghostface worked together on his second album (and what many consider to be his best), Supreme Clientele. During this period Method Man, GZA, RZA, ODB, Raekwon, U-God and Inspectah Deck released albums. GZA's album, while not as acclaimed as the indispensible Liquid Swords, is still an excellent addition to the Wu-Tang cannon. Even though it is a bit skit heavy (although none of them are terrible or too long) which disrupts the flow of the album, the album still succeeds in expanding on Wu repertoire. The same goes for Inspectah Deck's debut album, Uncontrolled Substance. This album was actually supposed to be released in the first round of Wu releases with complete RZA production. Due to the flood of RZA's studio, etc. the album was lost and later re-recorded with Deck production instead. Method Man, U-God and Raekwon's albums all fall completely flat, with varying levels of failure and financial success. RZA and ODB's albums proved to be the most divisive for many fans. Unlike the Meth, Rae and U-God albums they're not flat-out failures, rather interesting experiments in a different area of hip hop. You'll either like them or you won't, but the efforts are admirable in any case.
As mentioned previously, RZA left all the members of Wu-Tang to fend for themselves (to varied success) while he "called dibs" on Ghostface. The results of this are two prison sentences (assault and possession of a firearm) a several month trip to Africa and the writing and recording of the album Supreme Clientele. The importance of this album to Wu-Tang cannot be overstated. Coming out after Raekwon's Immobilarity, one of the most disappointing releases of the second round, Supreme Clientele signaled the Wu's return to prominence, something that their third group album The W would firmly establish in 2000.
Friday, 24 January 2014
A Short Guide to Wu-Tang Clan (Part I)
Introduction/Orientation: I'll do a short list of Wu-Tang albums here, giving everyone who reads this a bit of an introduction into the overwhelmingly large Wu-Tang catalog of albums. There are several longer guides online, including a Reddit one I strongly disagree with in places, as well as several more in depth guides that cover over 100 Wu-related releases (a very impressive feat). For this guide I'll cover the so-called "Golden Age" of the Wu, and deal with the releases from that era.
Who this guide is for: newcomers to the Wu-Tang who want to get into their very best, and most consistent work. If you follow this guide you'll have a very firm handle on the Wu.
Background information: If you're here, you probably know who the Wu-Tang Clan are. If you don't, you should probably look at Wikipedia, or refer to a search engine of your choice. However, these are the nine members of Wu-Tang Clan:
RZA - Group producer and rapper, everything during the Golden Age was part of his 5-year plan
GZA
Ol' Dirty Bastard
Inspectah Deck - The planned 1995 album was lost during a flood of RZA's studio
Raekwon - "The Chef"
U-God
Ghostface Killah
Masta Killa
Method Man - Biggest star of Wu-Tang during the "Golden Age"
The "Golden Age" albums:
Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)
Tical
Return to the 36 Chambers: the Dirty Version
Only Built 4 Cuban Linx...
Liquid Swords
Ironman
Wu-Tang Forever
The Guide (Part 1: Album Overviews):
Album: Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)
Artist: Wu-Tang Clan
Release Date: November 9, 1993
Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) was a raw, rugged and highly energetic debut that stood in stark contrast with many of the current trends in hip hop. The West Coast had been firmly in the spotlight since 1992, with the release of Dr. Dre's The Chronic, and 1993 showed no sign of changing that, with high profile releases by Snoop Doggy Dogg, Eazy-E, Ice Cube and 2Pac. While Wu-Tang Clan did not singlehandedly shift focus back to the East Coast, it set up the industry for that shift. This is the only acceptable place to start with Wu-Tang cannon.
Album: Tical
Artist: Method Man
Release Date: November 15, 1994
Tical was the second Wu-Tang release, and showcased their biggest star coming out of the first album. Tical has a dark, toned down sound that fits the lyrical atmosphere Method Man creates. RZA's production is also on point, and this marks the first transition to a more polished aesthetic that will become important to the Wu-Tang sound. This album is often overlooked for other "Golden Age" releases, but it is an album that rewards the listener who gives it their undivided attention in a way that few other albums do.
Album: Return to the 36 Chambers: the Dirty Version
Artist: Ol' Dirty Bastard
Release Date: March 28, 1995
ODB is an anomaly. He spent a lot more time in jail and in courthouses than any other Wu-Tang member. There is a strong possibility that he suffered from any number of psychological disorders (for those of you who are interested, a likely possibility is drug-induced psychosis, which often develops into schizophrenia, which would be a pre-existing condition), as well as having a serious hard drug habit which would eventually contribute significantly to his cause of death. Return to the 36 Chambers: the Dirty Version is Dirty's showcase of his crazy, mentally unstable contributions to the Wu-Tang sound. Case and point, his welfare card is the cover of his album, and he admits to having burnt multiple times by gonorrhea. Often hilarious, it's probably safe to say that half the tracks on the album are not serious songs (Dirty himself admitted to having no memory of recording the album due to how drunk he was at the time). RZA meanwhile continues to outshine every other Wu member by expanding his sonic palette and being the guiding force behind each classic album.
Album: Only Built 4 Cuban Linx...
Artist: Raekwon
Release Date: August 1, 1995
Released the same year as Return, OB4CL is often considered the best Wu solo album, and a serious contender for the best Wu album, period. Raekwon is aided here by Ghostface Killah, who appears on nearly every track. This album is notable for bringing to prominence the Mafioso subgenre of New York hip hop, as well as crafting a story and characters often compared to that of a film script. While Raekwon and Ghostface are the obvious stars here, it's RZA who constantly steals the show, with a cinematic score-like soundtrack to offset the workings and the rhymes of the cast. (If you don't believe me yet then just check "North Star." Those strings. Those lyrics.)
Album: Liquid Swords
Artist: GZA
Release Date: November 7, 1995
Liquid Swords is the creepiest Wu-Tang album. GZA raps in a stoic, overly calm manner, while the RZA provides the darkest production since Tical, this time interlaced with creepy audio samples from the film Shogun Assassin. Liquid Swords also holds the honour of being the most mysterious album. That is to say, it presents topics of gangsta rap in more religious, mystical terms. While this may not resonate with those who prefer more down to earth topics in their raps, there is a reason that many fans consider this album to be as good as OB4CL, with many claiming it to be the best Wu solo album, and even best Wu album in general.
Album: Ironman
Artist: Ghostface Killah
Release Date: October 29, 1996
After three Wu-Tang releases in 1995, and five since 1993, Ironman, on the surface, appears to almost have been an afterthought. Ghostface Killah here gets to demonstrated his stream-of-consciousness rapping in full effect, even though only a few tracks have him without guests. As it were, Ironman is actually one of the most slept-on Wu-Tang albums. While enjoying a fair amount of critical acclaim, it is often overlooked for later Ghostface albums such as Supreme Clientele. That is a very big mistake, since this is one of the most fascinating Wu-Tang documents. Instead of the usual kung fu film samples, there is an excess of blaxpoitation material, which signals a serious stylistic shift in the Wu-Tang style. On top of this, the production focuses on large amounts of 70s soul samples, and shows RZA diversifying in ways he hadn't previously.
Album: Wu-Tang Forever
Artist: Wu-Tang Clan
Release Date: June 3, 1997
Wu-Tang Forever is the culmination of RZA's five year plan. From 1993 onwards RZA had been a driving force behind all the Wu-Tang albums. Across the six albums leading up to Wu-Tang Forever there had only been a small handful of tracks not produced by RZA, and even those abided by the same stylistic standards he established. On top of this, the production remained within Clan affiliates and members. Wu-Tang Forever is a double disc album that shows Wu-Tang Clan at their most ambitious. The scope and vision of their project has been expanded substantially from their first album. The production is no longer a ruckus, but a string-laden sonic tapestry. Each Wu member expands their repertoire, their rapping technique has matured, as has the subject matter. Topics previously unexplored like the future, blaxpoitation, explicit sex raps, and love songs all surface and flourish. Wu-Tang Forever is more divisive than Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers), some feeling that Wu-Tang Clan had moved forward in every way, and others feeling slightly disappointed. For every fan who felt that this was when the Wu didn't fulfill their ambitions, there is another fan who feels that this is the best work Wu-Tang Clan has ever done. This album is not as easy to understand as their debut, nor should it be, but when approached properly, it is every bit as rewarding. For the best possible Wu-Tang experience, listen to each album in order of release, ending with this one.
Who this guide is for: newcomers to the Wu-Tang who want to get into their very best, and most consistent work. If you follow this guide you'll have a very firm handle on the Wu.
Background information: If you're here, you probably know who the Wu-Tang Clan are. If you don't, you should probably look at Wikipedia, or refer to a search engine of your choice. However, these are the nine members of Wu-Tang Clan:
RZA - Group producer and rapper, everything during the Golden Age was part of his 5-year plan
GZA
Ol' Dirty Bastard
Inspectah Deck - The planned 1995 album was lost during a flood of RZA's studio
Raekwon - "The Chef"
U-God
Ghostface Killah
Masta Killa
Method Man - Biggest star of Wu-Tang during the "Golden Age"
The "Golden Age" albums:
Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)
Tical
Return to the 36 Chambers: the Dirty Version
Only Built 4 Cuban Linx...
Liquid Swords
Ironman
Wu-Tang Forever
The Guide (Part 1: Album Overviews):
Artist: Wu-Tang Clan
Release Date: November 9, 1993
Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) was a raw, rugged and highly energetic debut that stood in stark contrast with many of the current trends in hip hop. The West Coast had been firmly in the spotlight since 1992, with the release of Dr. Dre's The Chronic, and 1993 showed no sign of changing that, with high profile releases by Snoop Doggy Dogg, Eazy-E, Ice Cube and 2Pac. While Wu-Tang Clan did not singlehandedly shift focus back to the East Coast, it set up the industry for that shift. This is the only acceptable place to start with Wu-Tang cannon.
Artist: Method Man
Release Date: November 15, 1994
Tical was the second Wu-Tang release, and showcased their biggest star coming out of the first album. Tical has a dark, toned down sound that fits the lyrical atmosphere Method Man creates. RZA's production is also on point, and this marks the first transition to a more polished aesthetic that will become important to the Wu-Tang sound. This album is often overlooked for other "Golden Age" releases, but it is an album that rewards the listener who gives it their undivided attention in a way that few other albums do.
Artist: Ol' Dirty Bastard
Release Date: March 28, 1995
ODB is an anomaly. He spent a lot more time in jail and in courthouses than any other Wu-Tang member. There is a strong possibility that he suffered from any number of psychological disorders (for those of you who are interested, a likely possibility is drug-induced psychosis, which often develops into schizophrenia, which would be a pre-existing condition), as well as having a serious hard drug habit which would eventually contribute significantly to his cause of death. Return to the 36 Chambers: the Dirty Version is Dirty's showcase of his crazy, mentally unstable contributions to the Wu-Tang sound. Case and point, his welfare card is the cover of his album, and he admits to having burnt multiple times by gonorrhea. Often hilarious, it's probably safe to say that half the tracks on the album are not serious songs (Dirty himself admitted to having no memory of recording the album due to how drunk he was at the time). RZA meanwhile continues to outshine every other Wu member by expanding his sonic palette and being the guiding force behind each classic album.
Artist: Raekwon
Release Date: August 1, 1995
Released the same year as Return, OB4CL is often considered the best Wu solo album, and a serious contender for the best Wu album, period. Raekwon is aided here by Ghostface Killah, who appears on nearly every track. This album is notable for bringing to prominence the Mafioso subgenre of New York hip hop, as well as crafting a story and characters often compared to that of a film script. While Raekwon and Ghostface are the obvious stars here, it's RZA who constantly steals the show, with a cinematic score-like soundtrack to offset the workings and the rhymes of the cast. (If you don't believe me yet then just check "North Star." Those strings. Those lyrics.)
Artist: GZA
Release Date: November 7, 1995
Liquid Swords is the creepiest Wu-Tang album. GZA raps in a stoic, overly calm manner, while the RZA provides the darkest production since Tical, this time interlaced with creepy audio samples from the film Shogun Assassin. Liquid Swords also holds the honour of being the most mysterious album. That is to say, it presents topics of gangsta rap in more religious, mystical terms. While this may not resonate with those who prefer more down to earth topics in their raps, there is a reason that many fans consider this album to be as good as OB4CL, with many claiming it to be the best Wu solo album, and even best Wu album in general.
Artist: Ghostface Killah
Release Date: October 29, 1996
After three Wu-Tang releases in 1995, and five since 1993, Ironman, on the surface, appears to almost have been an afterthought. Ghostface Killah here gets to demonstrated his stream-of-consciousness rapping in full effect, even though only a few tracks have him without guests. As it were, Ironman is actually one of the most slept-on Wu-Tang albums. While enjoying a fair amount of critical acclaim, it is often overlooked for later Ghostface albums such as Supreme Clientele. That is a very big mistake, since this is one of the most fascinating Wu-Tang documents. Instead of the usual kung fu film samples, there is an excess of blaxpoitation material, which signals a serious stylistic shift in the Wu-Tang style. On top of this, the production focuses on large amounts of 70s soul samples, and shows RZA diversifying in ways he hadn't previously.
Artist: Wu-Tang Clan
Release Date: June 3, 1997
Wu-Tang Forever is the culmination of RZA's five year plan. From 1993 onwards RZA had been a driving force behind all the Wu-Tang albums. Across the six albums leading up to Wu-Tang Forever there had only been a small handful of tracks not produced by RZA, and even those abided by the same stylistic standards he established. On top of this, the production remained within Clan affiliates and members. Wu-Tang Forever is a double disc album that shows Wu-Tang Clan at their most ambitious. The scope and vision of their project has been expanded substantially from their first album. The production is no longer a ruckus, but a string-laden sonic tapestry. Each Wu member expands their repertoire, their rapping technique has matured, as has the subject matter. Topics previously unexplored like the future, blaxpoitation, explicit sex raps, and love songs all surface and flourish. Wu-Tang Forever is more divisive than Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers), some feeling that Wu-Tang Clan had moved forward in every way, and others feeling slightly disappointed. For every fan who felt that this was when the Wu didn't fulfill their ambitions, there is another fan who feels that this is the best work Wu-Tang Clan has ever done. This album is not as easy to understand as their debut, nor should it be, but when approached properly, it is every bit as rewarding. For the best possible Wu-Tang experience, listen to each album in order of release, ending with this one.
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