Post by Dark 7 Invader on May 26, 2005 11:56:51 GMT -5
ALBUM NOTES:
Release Date: June 29, 1999
Label: MCA
REVIEWS:
A Wu album coming out on time is a rare occurrence. But "Beneath The Surface" did just that, and you wouldn't expect anything less from the grandmaster of Shaolin. His third solo album sees a number of new changes. Before he was Genius/GZA, now it's GZA/Genius; The RZA, who helmed "Liquid Swords" to complete excellence, now takes a backseat to the Wu-Elements; the Wu-Fam are much more leading than the Clan themselves; and Kung Fu no longer serves as the album's setting.
"Beneath The Surface" commences with a brief "Intro" about the man himself before yielding to the hard hitting overture "Amplified Sample". Killah Priest reunites with his former tutor on the title track, where both artists give lyrical masterpieces above a suave Inspectah Deck beat. John The Baptist continues the heavy bass assault with "Crash Your Crew" which features a typical Ol' Dirty chorus line.
'Breaker, Breaker", with its altered strings, is probably the most peculiar track to be found. "High Price, Small Reward" is a brief jingle of sorts featuring Masta Killa. The next track "Hip Hop Fury" is melodiously hardcore. With outstanding rhymes from GZA, Hell Razah, Timbo King, Dreddy Kruger and a nice hook from RZA, not much can go wrong. "1112" is the only track to be produced by The RZA. Masta Killa and Killah Priest return with female MC, Njeri to deliver a stern execution over RZA's tambourine rattle.
Arabian Knight utilizes his string, wind and percussion hardware on "Victim", a serene track aided once more by good rhymes from guest star Njeri. Mathematics, abiding to the "distorted string theme" of the album, stages the virtuoso track "Publicity". "Labels" was the precursor track where GZA cleverly weaves the names of record labels in a detailed lyrical tapestry. "Publicity" uses the same theme, only this time the topic of choice is magazine names.
GZA is inconspicuous on the next track "Feel Like An Enemy". Instead Trigga and the Sunz Of Man carry out ever fierce rhymes in his absence. And before you know it, the use of strings can be heard once again on the suitably titled "Stringplay". GZA is as sharp as always, and Method Man shows why he can rhyme over any beat imaginable. The tranquil sounds of "Mic Trippin'" allows GZA to catch some solo limelight before the album's end. But it's Darkman and Timbo who have the final say. The introductory beat makes a second appearance allowing them each with a brief and concluding performance.
The skits on this album deal mostly with social issues such as gun control, law enforcement policies, music industry employment, and even a telephone ad. I can't exactly see their purpose for being here as they don't compliment the songs in any way. But skits have rarely complemented songs on any album in any case, so I'll sweep this issue under the carpet.
"Beneath The Surface" is a good album. It's different to "Liquid Swords" and not quite as high in stature. But from beginning to end we hear solid and composed performances from GZA (as we've come to expect), and likewise solid routines from all his guests. No track can be considered "fillers" (except maybe the skits). Production wise, Arabian Knight, Mathematics, John The Baptist and Inspectah Deck have provided GZA with very competent beats. Their obvious frequent use of string samples is most likely due to the preference of GZA himself, who in the past has shown a fondness for such instrumentals (ie. "Liquid Swords" and "Shadowboxin'").
"Beneath The Surface" was one of the more underrated albums of 1999, but undeservedly so. Everything on this album is characteristically Wu - Wu beats, Wu-Fam, meaningless skits and some dope cover art. How can this be possibly overlooked?
Rating: 8.5/10
Written by Wu-Blood Kin
© 2002
Release Date: June 29, 1999
Label: MCA
REVIEWS:
A Wu album coming out on time is a rare occurrence. But "Beneath The Surface" did just that, and you wouldn't expect anything less from the grandmaster of Shaolin. His third solo album sees a number of new changes. Before he was Genius/GZA, now it's GZA/Genius; The RZA, who helmed "Liquid Swords" to complete excellence, now takes a backseat to the Wu-Elements; the Wu-Fam are much more leading than the Clan themselves; and Kung Fu no longer serves as the album's setting.
"Beneath The Surface" commences with a brief "Intro" about the man himself before yielding to the hard hitting overture "Amplified Sample". Killah Priest reunites with his former tutor on the title track, where both artists give lyrical masterpieces above a suave Inspectah Deck beat. John The Baptist continues the heavy bass assault with "Crash Your Crew" which features a typical Ol' Dirty chorus line.
'Breaker, Breaker", with its altered strings, is probably the most peculiar track to be found. "High Price, Small Reward" is a brief jingle of sorts featuring Masta Killa. The next track "Hip Hop Fury" is melodiously hardcore. With outstanding rhymes from GZA, Hell Razah, Timbo King, Dreddy Kruger and a nice hook from RZA, not much can go wrong. "1112" is the only track to be produced by The RZA. Masta Killa and Killah Priest return with female MC, Njeri to deliver a stern execution over RZA's tambourine rattle.
Arabian Knight utilizes his string, wind and percussion hardware on "Victim", a serene track aided once more by good rhymes from guest star Njeri. Mathematics, abiding to the "distorted string theme" of the album, stages the virtuoso track "Publicity". "Labels" was the precursor track where GZA cleverly weaves the names of record labels in a detailed lyrical tapestry. "Publicity" uses the same theme, only this time the topic of choice is magazine names.
GZA is inconspicuous on the next track "Feel Like An Enemy". Instead Trigga and the Sunz Of Man carry out ever fierce rhymes in his absence. And before you know it, the use of strings can be heard once again on the suitably titled "Stringplay". GZA is as sharp as always, and Method Man shows why he can rhyme over any beat imaginable. The tranquil sounds of "Mic Trippin'" allows GZA to catch some solo limelight before the album's end. But it's Darkman and Timbo who have the final say. The introductory beat makes a second appearance allowing them each with a brief and concluding performance.
The skits on this album deal mostly with social issues such as gun control, law enforcement policies, music industry employment, and even a telephone ad. I can't exactly see their purpose for being here as they don't compliment the songs in any way. But skits have rarely complemented songs on any album in any case, so I'll sweep this issue under the carpet.
"Beneath The Surface" is a good album. It's different to "Liquid Swords" and not quite as high in stature. But from beginning to end we hear solid and composed performances from GZA (as we've come to expect), and likewise solid routines from all his guests. No track can be considered "fillers" (except maybe the skits). Production wise, Arabian Knight, Mathematics, John The Baptist and Inspectah Deck have provided GZA with very competent beats. Their obvious frequent use of string samples is most likely due to the preference of GZA himself, who in the past has shown a fondness for such instrumentals (ie. "Liquid Swords" and "Shadowboxin'").
"Beneath The Surface" was one of the more underrated albums of 1999, but undeservedly so. Everything on this album is characteristically Wu - Wu beats, Wu-Fam, meaningless skits and some dope cover art. How can this be possibly overlooked?
Rating: 8.5/10
Written by Wu-Blood Kin
© 2002