GZA

RZA twittered this message to fans today, "IT'S TRUE: "LIQUID SWORDS 2" PRODUCED BY THE ABBOT RZA COMING FALL 2010. WHO'S READY FOR THE WU? BONG BONG." Arguably, the difference between GZA's last classic album and his subsequent four average ones is simply RZA on the tracks. With all the great Wu-Tang material lately it's hard to not get excited about this release (Bong bong). Here's some classic material from the last edition of Liquid Swords in 1995.

GZA - Swordsman

Who's the shark biter now?

I was listening to Wu-Massacre yesterday and while Mef, Chef, and Ghost still sound as sharp as they did on 36 Chambers, the beats sounded a little tired. I did a little investigating, and they recycled at least two samples (not counting "Criminology 2.5"), without any explanation for doing so. "Smooth Sailing (Remix)" is the same as Joell Ortiz's "125 pt. 3 (Connections)", and "Gunshowers" samples the Temptrees' "La La (Means I Love You)", the same as Ghost's "Holla". I understand I'm picking nits, when you have the RZA on your speed dial, beats gotta be fresh. That being said, the album is fire and I like these beats better than the originals. All in all, it is a very slight blemish on an otherwise excellent performance by three veteran MCs.