When I first heard Wu-Tang I was really impressed with the production. RZA's soundscapes were these spare,bleak,and cinematic collages that kinda reminded me of Blade Runner. He's gone on to bring that flavor to many motion pictures, where it seems to fit perfectly.
I guess it is even more of a testament to RZA's Kung Fu on the decks that the futuristic sounds he creates are made with a huge grip of southern soul records made in the late 60's and early 70's.
A bunch of these templates can be found on Shaolin Soul, which besides recalling Wu Tang cuts makes a nice little addition to any Stax and Hi record collection.
Check Comments for New Birth's-Honeybee,David Porter's-I'm Afriad the Masquerade is Over, and Ann Peebles'-Trouble,Heartache and Sadness, and know for sure that The RZA has a black belt in sampling.
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New Birth - Honeybee sampled for Wu Tang's, Clan In Da Front
David Porter - I'm Afraid The Masquerade Is Over sampled for GZA-Duel Of The Iron Mic
Ann Peebles - Trouble,Heartache, and Sadness sampled for GZA/Method Man's, Shadow Boxin' and RZA's, Throw Your Flag Up
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Yeas, this is what I have been waiting for, some Wu love on Thursdays. Informative and generous as always Cody!
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No problem, Oat..you know I love this stuff. Will this be your first hometown jazzfest this year? Whether or Not,enjoy!
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First one, and I am aghast that exams directly coincide. At least my wife will get to go. Ugh.
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nice one Cody
funny to hear these songs when I'm so used to the Wu tracks....i expect Rza or Gza to bust in at any moment
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Bummer Amiel..you gotta sneak out for a study break..
Lyrik, He chopped these up real good didn't he?
George Jackson -Aretha, Sing One For Me sampled for Ghostface's- Child's Play
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I always forget, what a HipHop wizard you are, as I associate you more with funk and soul. I never was really into Wu-Tang, though a friend wanted to evangelize me. But I also must admit, that I listend just to one or two albums of them so far. I guess, I should make a second try. Very nice contribution to HHT.
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Some say the Wu solo records are the real bangers, but I will let the real heads suggest what the best of those might be..I know there's quite a few Ghostface fans out there..and Method Man..and GZA..
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You're a true scholar, Dr. B. Thank you.
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A scholar and a gentleman!
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see now, never woulda gave this a shot without your shout. nice. that Ann Peebles is rippin'!
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Thanks timm..36 I got, Method I got, and I guess i need the rest too..cool vid.
Run-bod- I hit the books pretty hard in early grades of hip hop, but I slipped hard in the late 90's. I didn't sleep on the Wu, but I certainly didn't give 'em the proper attention.
'preciate that Mr. (willie) Sturgell..We are family.
Syl Johnson - Could I Be Falling In Love from Raekwon's Heaven and Hell
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Also that Ann Peebles is crackin'! Fly even. Syl Johnson seems to have the Hi sound as well. Plus George Jackson's song is a keeper. Proudly old-school here.
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What a Wu-tangy collection! A nice sampler, if you will...
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Whitman's Wu-Tang Box O'Choclate Funk, Mike. Right On..
Me too, Spike..as if we all didn't know that..If not I guess the 5 soul to 1 hip hop ratio might also give me away.
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great post, Cody. knew hiphop + shaolin had to be Wu-Tang-related. feelin' Ms. Peebles' number most of all. New Birth, too!
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True indeed, Illady..Ann's is my fave tune here. New Birth as a tune is just OK, but the bees and the bass are sweet and D. Porter doin' that tune ( a 30's or 40's show tune) is kinda funny. I find it amazing a crate digger sat through it all to get what they got..
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Why couldn't my music appreciation class in college been as fun as this? Thanks for making us all not only smarter, but funkier too. That David Porter is an especially strong find - I didn't see that sound coming at all...
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Ivy, I think David was trying to get some of that epic Ike orchestral magic going..rap and all. I guess it is pretty cool, if not a little much. I guess that's my failing though, since I don't have any problems when Black Moses does it and David only orchestralizes for 4 and half minutes.
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The grand excess is what's making it for me - it's not as great as he wants it to be, but it's unfailingly interesting....
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AWESOME.
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Way late here, but all the first few solos are great. Raekwon's is totally classic but is more gangster than noir. GZA, Method, ODB debuts were great too. ODB was just funny. Ghost's first had some great stuff too. But after the collective's double album I stopped paying attention. 36 chambers is the best though, followed by Liquid Swords, Raekwon, and Method Man (in my book). I never liked the RZA/Bobby Digital stuff much, he rhyming was off the wall.
I was a pretty dedicated Wu head for a while.
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I'm slowly but surely gathering all the Wu..I love listening to these records out of the context of their hype and newness..I'm like a snail, I eventually get there..