Wu-Chronicles
Wu-Chroniclescompiles 14 tracks of previously released Wu-tinged madness, along with a pair of new tracks. Most of these feature Wu family members as guests on tracks from theNotorious B.I.G.("The What," featuring Method Man),Mobb Deep("Right Back at You," featuring Ghostface Killah,Raekwon, and Big Noyd), andTha Alkaholiks("Hip Hop Drunkies," featuringOl' Dirty Bastard). There are also killer cuts by Wu stalwarts such asGenius/GZA, Raekwon,RZA, and Inspectah Deck. Though some hardcore fans may deem this release redundant because most of these tracks have seen the light of wax before, they will still want to own it for the convenience factor, the ultra-cool artwork, and those two new offerings: "Latunza Hit," by the Wu-Syndicate, is an infectious downtempo track infused with a solid bass groove and misty-mountaintop atmosphere, while "'96 Recreation (Demo)" features longtime Wu cohortCappadonnaalong with RZA and Ol' Dirty Bastard, all three dropping heavy verses over an eerie, rumbling beat.--Spencer Abbott