by Wu-Tang Clan
Release Date: 15 October 2022
Format: LP Vinyl
Label: Sony Music
£22.99
Wu-Tang Clan Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) Limited Gold Vinyl LP
Overview:
Wu-Tang Clan's debut, 'Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)', was one of the most influential rap albums of the '90s. Its sparse yet atmospheric production - courtesy of RZA - mapped out the sonic blueprint that countless other hardcore rappers would follow for years to come. It laid the groundwork for the rebirth of New York hip-hop in the hardcore age, paving the way for everybody from Biggie and Jay-Z to Nas and Mobb Deep. Moreover, it introduced a colourful cast of hugely talented MCs, some of whom ranked among the best and most unique individual rappers of the decade. Some were outsized, theatrical personalities, others were cerebral storytellers and lyrical technicians, but each had his own distinctive style, which made for an album of tremendous variety and consistency. Every track on 'Enter the Wu-Tang' is packed with fresh, inventive rhymes, which are filled with martial arts metaphors, pop culture references (everything from Voltron to Lucky Charms cereal commercials to Barbra Streisand's 'The Way We Were'), bizarre threats of violence, and a truly twisted sense of humour. Their off-kilter menace is really brought to life, however, by the eerie, lo-fi production, which helped bring the raw sound of the underground into mainstream hip-hop. Starting with a foundation of hard, gritty beats and dialogue samples from kung fu movies, RZA kept things minimalistic, but added just enough minor-key piano, strings, or muted horns to create a background ambience that works like the soundtrack to a surreal nightmare. There was nothing like it in the hip-hop world at the time, and even after years of imitation, 'Enter the Wu-Tang' still sounds fresh and original. Subsequent group and solo projects would refine and deepen this template, but collectively, the Wu have never been quite this tight again.
Featured Tracks:
Side: 1
1 Bring Da Ruckus - Wu-Tang Clan feat. RZA, Ghostface Killah, Raekwon, Inspectah Deck
2 Shame On a Nigga - Wu-Tang Clan feat. Raekwon, Ol' Dirty Bastard, Method Man
3 Clan In Da Front - Wu-Tang Clan feat. RZA, GZA
4 Wu-Tang: 7th Chamber - Wu-Tang Clan
5 Can It Be All So Simple / Intermission - Wu-Tang Clan feat. RZA, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah / Gladys Knight & The Pips
6 Protect Ya Neck / Intermission - Wu-Tang Clan
Side: 2
1 Da Mystery of Chessboxin' - Wu-Tang Clan feat. Method Man, U-God, Inspectah Deck, Raekwon, Ol' Dirty Bastard, Ghostface Killah, Masta Killa
2 Wu-Tang Clan Ain't Nuthing ta F' Wit - Wu-Tang Clan feat. RZA, Inspectah Deck, Method Man
3 C.R.E.A.M. (Cash Rules Everything Around Me) - Wu-Tang Clan feat. Method Man, Raekwon, Inspectah Deck, Buddha Monk / The Charmels
4 Method Man - Wu-Tang Clan feat. Method Man, Raekwon, GZA, RZA, Ghostface Killah
5 Tearz - Wu-Tang Clan feat. RZA, Ghostface Killah, Raekwon, Inspectah Deck / Wendy Rene
6 Wu-Tang: 7th Chamber - Part II - Wu-Tang Clan feat. GZA, Raekwon, Method Man, Inspectah Deck, Ghostface Killah, RZA, Ol' Dirty Bastard
Release Date: 21 June 2019
Format: LP Double Vinyl
Label: Sanctuary Records
£18.99
Release Date: 11 August 2017
Format: LP Double Vinyl
Label: Sony Music
£19.99
Release Date: 02 June 2017
Format: Boxed Set Vinyl
Label: We Are Vinyl
£36.99
Release Date: 26 February 2016
Format: LP Vinyl
Label: Sony Legacy
£18.99 £12.99
