The longevity of the Wu-Tang Clan has never been in question. Since their ‘Protect Ya Neck’ days, the small army also known as a group has kept a level of consistency either as a whole, or individually for almost 20 years.
Next up on their plate is Return Of The Wu & Friends (mixed by longtime Wu-Tang Clan DJ/producer Mathematics). Compiling a mixture of unreleased material along with a few remixes, Mathematics brings a new chamber of 16 tracks to the masses.
All nine members are accounted for, including a posthumously featured Ol Dirty Bastard. ‘Clap 2010’ (feat. Raekwon, U-God, Method Man, and Ghostface Killah) starts things off, as one half of the collective rhyme over production that listeners aren’t accustomed to hearing from the Clan, but they’re still able to pull it off with ease.
From there, a more familiar sound fills the air on ‘Respect’ (feat. Raekown, Method Man, and Cappadonna) with the trio all bringing their uniqueness to the table.
The slow tempo of ‘Strawberries & Cream’ (feat. Inspectah Deck, RZA, and Ghostface Killah) is dedicated to the opposite sex, as the trio serenade their women as only they can.
Three of the most lyrical clansmen in Masta Killa, GZA, and Inspectah Deck take part in ‘Steppin 2 Me.’ Using a voice sample of Big Daddy Kane from his classic ‘Ain’t No Half Steppin’ for the hook, all MC’s involved give those in attendance a lesson in lyricism.
Raekwon puts a twist on the lost art of conceptual raps with ‘Treez,’ as he talks about himself being a bag weed, and how he is distributed and fought over.
Vintage Wu comes along on ‘Iron God Chamber’ (feat. U-God, Method Man, RZA, and Masta Killa), as the aura itself is reminiscent of Hip-Hop’s golden era of the 90’s.
Other songs that fit well into the newest chamber are tunes like unorthodox piano-looped production of ‘John 3:16’ (feat. Method Man), ‘Real Nillaz’ (feat. Ghostface Killah, Raekwon, Masta Killa, Eyes Low, and Buddah Bless), and ‘What It Is’ (feat. Street Life, RZA, and Buddah Bless)—while other contributions like ‘Day We Were’ (feat. Mathematics), and ‘Keep Pace’ are chambers that could’ve been left empty.
In all, Return Of The Wu & Friends is another solid block that the Clan can add to their ever-building foundation of material.
Their ability to remain who they are without compromising what got them this far is once again on display, giving true meaning to the phrase, “Wu-Tang Forever.”
