THE SAGA CONTINUES
As a die-hard wu-tang clan fan even myself has to admit that the quality of music wu tang has released over the past decade has been sub-par. Ever since 8 diagrams rza has been pushing a more experimental production style on new wu-albums a lot of hit or misses more misses than hits and albums so all over the place many fans including myself agreed that wu-tang needs to drop rza from main producer or stop releasing group products because what they were releasing was hurting there stellar legacy as one if not the greatest group in hip-hop history. Apparently the cries of wu-tang fans were heard and even though most won't consider a saga continues as a (wu-tang album) its more of a compilation of songs that feature members of wu-tang clan) its still a step in the right direction for the group. Rza here steps away from the production chair and lets long-term wu tang affiliated producer mathematics take full control of the soundscape of the saga continues. The reviews so far have been polarizing some fans up in arms that the production style is to crisp and have them hating it just because it doesn't have that gritty stripped down sound like 36 chambers, wu-tang forever or the w, and other fans praising this as the best wu-tang album since the W and commending mathematics for brining the real gritty wu-tang sound back. Now my opinion yes this album is more polished production wise than there older work but the production on this album is still gritty and dark while being crisp and clear having a more lox sounding tone to it but it fits perfectly for the wu-tang sound, and as far as there best album since the w I have to disagree I believe iron flag is better (and HIGHLY HIGHLY SLEPT ON GETS MORE HATE THAN IT DESERVES ITS ONE OF THERE MOST VERSATILE ALBUMS SOUND-WISE THAT DOESN'T MISS A STEP) but overall I really enjoy the sage continues and its a step in the right direction for wu-tang dropping a product that is reminiscent of there earlier work while sounding more polished than there older sounds. The lead single the people say which is the only full wu-tang song on here featuring redman is a soulful hip-hop track with some of the strongest lyrics by there members in a while. The best song on the album and the reason why I think aloof people can't appreciate this album since not every song is up to this caliber and few even come close. People say is such a classic throwback style wu-tang track that had fans clamoring for more and while the rest of the album Imo is amazing none of it stands up to people say or the 2nd single ;lessons learn'd with inspectah deck and redman. And thats this albums main flaw it showcased its two standout tracks way to early and gave people higher expectations for the album and while this album isn't bad the quality besides one other song on here doesn't come close to the singles. The track Imo that does stand toe to toe with the lead singles is the method man track frozen featuring Chris rivers and killa priest. This track is pure vintage 356 chambers wu-tang kung fu samples gritty stripped down beats with lyrical prowess and destruction by top tear emcees. I loved seeing chis rivers on this track who held his own with two legends because it gives him more exposure and even though he is the son of the legendary big bun he's still highly slept on. Overall like I said I enjoyed this album a lot but the album isn't perfect, id compare this album to a smoke dza or chuuwee album while there are no bad tracks on this album most of the tracks are good but not expectational and nothing that stands out heavy besides 3 joints there just good while not providing those ear-gashing moments we expect from older wu-tang and while this is a step in the right direction for wu-tang its still not up to par with there older material which is sad especially since solo projects by wu tang members have been some of there best work yet especially ghost face kills and as of recent pasta kill which leads into the next review
wu-tang clan presents the sage continues rating: 7.5 out of ten
MASTA KILLA LOYALTY IS ROYALTY
Masta killa has always been on the lower end of the talent spectrum in the wu-tang clan and on solo releases. While no one can deny master killa is talented when you have a group who has 5 members who I could easily put on the top twenty of all time list master killa just takes a back seat. Though with his latest release loyalty is royalty he shows that most including me have been sleeping on him way to hard and his name should be mentioned with the likes of the higher rung wu members like ghost,rae, deck, and meth. The album starts off with the track "return of thee masta) a track that has the same sound and vibe as anything on Raekwon's classic only built 4 cuban linx) With asian woodwind sounds setting the mood the opening track is the most wu sounding track out of any wu-tang releases in recent times, bringing back nostalgic feelings of when I was first introduced to wu-tang back in the second grade when wu-wear was all the age and c.r.e.am was in the lexicon of every person young and old black and white in America. The albums standout track by far is therapy which samples the 1985 soul classic mr. wrong by r and b legend Sade, along with reman and method man this track not only has some of the best sample work I've heard all year on a hip-hop release it has three strong verses by three veteran emcees that prove they haven't lost there step. Another stand out is the Sean price assisted down with me a song that shows homage and love to one of the most slept on yet relevant group of people when it comes to why rap music became so popular in the late 80's and early 90s and thats the mixtape dis and more importantly the college radio personalities such as mr. magic stretch and bonito that gave most of the 90s rappers there first major platform to be heard. Even though how amazing this album is this album does have flaws while the flaws aint lyrical its more trying to fit in with times. On the title track to this album a love song over a soulful instrumental that while lyrically strong feels off especially since ml's hard gritty delivery feels out of place over a beat that has the makings of a classic hip-hop ballad. Regardless though this is defiantly master kills best solo album and so far IMO my favorite album this year and defiantly a contender for album of the year
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