Artist: Wu-Tang Clan
Album: Chamber Music
Label: Wu-Tang/ E1 
   
The Wu is back! Well, sort of. Wu-Tang: Chamber Music is more of a boutique album, not quite an official release but more than a mix tape. It is definitely a must have for the true Wu fan and any fan of golden era hip-hop. Chamber music finds your favorite Wu MC’s paired up with your favorite rappers from the 90’s, the dream of every hip-hop head that came up in that era. RZA said this album was crafted in the tradition of 36 Chambers, thus the name “Chamber Music.” He makes this ever so clear opening up with a kung fu skit that sounds like a call to arms for the Wu-Tang Clan to go and retrieve their honor. With such an intense opening, the bar is set high for this outing and RZA calls on the secret weapon of the Wu to open the first song.

Inspectah Deck comes out mics blazin with a tongue twisting flow, and a balance of gangsta wit and Wu-Tang knowledge that is the stuff every MC should strive to spit. U-God’s baritone delivery provides balance to the track while providing evidence of RZA’s ability to fully produce a song. In between songs RZA sees fit to drop the 5% knowledge that has become a staple of Wu-Tang productions. These short skits like “The Abbot” and “Sheep State” play over an eerie soundscape of seemingly traditional Asian music and serve as explanations much like scenes in the kung fu movies where the master is explaining his ways to the young student. 

RZA shows why he is the Abbot of the Wu. Only RZA could put together a lineup that features MC’s like AZ, Kool G Rap, and the always energetic M.O.P.  The Abbot’s production darts are sharp throughout Chamber Music. He brings the dark, somber production that is both thought provoking and well suited to Wu-Tang style rap delivery as displayed on “I wish you were here,” which features an always emotional Ghostface, tellin’ a story of lost love while Tre Williams’ soulful vocals smooth out Ghost’s ruggedness. Ghost also shines alongside RZA and Havoc on the ominous “Evil Deed,” and where’s there’s Ghostface; Raekwon is usually not too far behind. Rae drops in on two cuts and reminds us why he’s achieved legendary stature in the game and why we should be checkin’ for “Cuban Linx2.” He assaults the stripped down RZA beat on Ill Figures with vocabulary, style, and is joined by M.O.P. (who aren’t yelling) and Kool G Rap to finish off with gangsta finesse  that has slowly become a lost  commodity in rap music. 

Chamber Music is not without its flaws, the most notable being the absence of Masta Killa, GZA, and Method Man; but it’s not an official Wu-Tang album. Flaws aside, “Chamber Music,” reminds us of why we liked the Wu to begin with. This project should serve as evidence of what the W can do when RZA’s in the driver’s seat. Although they didn’t quite form like Voltron, its good to know the pieces are still there.