At a time when hip-hop urgently needs a check-up, DJ Allah Mathematics, the creator of the Wu’s ‘W’ logo, brings along the Clan and some “friends” for an expansive compilation that is as solid as it is off the wall. Epitomizing the Clan’s family-orientated dynamic, Math compiles a thorough set of remixes, b-sides, and various unreleased tracks that Wu-Tang fans and like-minded hip-hop listeners alike can enjoy. Bringin’ da ruckus!
Gotta Check Out the W
Clocking in at a little over 70 minutes long, Unreleased is a jumbled collage of tracks that follow the Wu-Tang Clan’s routine formula of hardcore bars and low-key, sampled beats. From the Biggie-sampled "Where’s Brooklyn @?" to M-Speed’s "Street Kronicles," Unreleased oozes of hard-hitting darts over grimy east-coast production. In some instances, these tracks are polarized by the few sensitive tracks that pop up, such as the R&B-geared "Wanna Believe," coupling a verse by the coarse-voiced Allah Real with the suave crooning of Bad Luck. The album is conveniently glued together by a series of skits that seemingly never made it on any official Wu-Tang albums - which leads to the number one concern: how much of an impact did the core members of the Clan contribute to this compilation? Unfortunately, not enough to bring it to the top, if any at all.
Note to “Friends”: The Wu Ain’t Nuthin’ to F*** Wit’
Wu-Tang fans will be pleased to find remixes of classic Clan cuts such as “Wu Banga (Remix)”, as well as rarities including “Da W (Remix)” (which was originally featured on the Import version of the Wu’s 2001 album, Iron Flag). Throughout the album, eight of the nine founding members of the Wu-Tang Clan are featured (the late O.D.B. being left out) with their presence notably overshadowing that of their lesser known “Clansmen.” Though they clearly steal the show, the Clan’s company is frequently cut short, as they appear on less than half of the album’s tracks. Next time around, we’d hope to see a little less “friends” and a little more Clan.
The Bottom Line Wu-Tang Clan & Friends – Unreleased
Given its flaws, Unreleased still offers a diverse and enjoyable hodgepodge of all things Wu. With its lengthy duration, the listener is bound to come across a selection of gems deemed iPod-worthy and even discover talent in lesser-known artists such as Buddah Bless and Streetlife, among others. Far from a “reunion” album, Wu-Tang Unreleased is nonetheless a great warm-up for this summer’s highly anticipated “8 Diagrams”, the Clan’s long awaited fifth group album. Protect ya neck…it’s the Wu!
Top Tracks from
- "King Toast Queen" (featuring U-God, Buddah Bless, Masta Killa & Solomon Childs)
- "Wu Banga (Remix)" (GZA, Ghostface Killah, Raekwon, Cappadonna & Masta Killa)
- "Da W (Remix)" (featuring GZA, U-God, Method Man, Raekwon & RZA)
