Wu: The Story of The Wu-Tang Clan [PA]

Performer: Wu-Tang Clan
Artist: Raekwon; Ol' Dirty Bastard; Ghostface Killah; Cappadonna; Masta Killa; U-God
Engineer: Islord; Ethan Ryman; 4th Disciple; RZA; Steve Neat; Vic Anesini
Producer: Method Man; Ol' Dirty Bastard; Darren Salmieri (Compilation)
Distributor: Sony Music Distribution (

Notes: Wu-Tang Clan: Method Man, Ol' Dirty Bastard, Raekwon (vocals). Programmer: RZA. Arranger: RZA. In 1993, Staten Island native and recent film school grad Gerald K. Barclay was recruited by the Rza to help put together two music videos for an up-and-coming rap crew. The crew was the then-unknown Wu-Tang Clan and the videos would become the low-budget masterpieces "Protect Ya Neck" and "Wu Tang Clan Ain't Nuthing to F**k Wit." Nearly 15 years later, Barclay returned to his Shaolin roots to direct the documentary film WU: THE STORY OF THE WU-TANG CLAN, chronicling the meteoric rise of the Shaolin supergroup, which the young filmmaker had witnessed firsthand. Featuring 16 of the crew's most celebrated cuts from their classic group albums and tightest solo LPs, this soundtrack album highlights Wu-Tang's mid-1990s heyday. While the Wu-Tang Clan's fans are loyal, they do expect their underground heroes to be virtuous and are the first to point out unnecessary releases. They might want to let this one slip since the Legacy's label's 2008 release Wu: The Story of the Wu-Tang Clan is not only a fairly well chosen set but a soundtrack to the documentary of the same name, allowing viewers both a quick souvenir and primer before they explore further. Four mammoth classics kick off the release, sequenced in a brilliant way for maximum fist-pumping. Next, two B-list repeats from the 2004 comp Legend of the Wu-Tang Clan appear before the solo releases are explored, beginning with Raekwon's great "Incarcerated Scarfaces." From Ol' Dirty Bastard's party starter "Shimmy Shimmy Ya" to the closing jump track "Gravel Pit," the flow is rough, but the two excuses to choose from are the soundtrack one and the difficult, sprawling discography compilers have to deal with, especially when solo releases count. The disc barely even touches upon the group's long list of affiliates -- a smart move since this isn't a box set -- so instead of being a selling point, the word "Story" on the cover is only repeating the documentary's title. Even so, this disjointed set of tunes from the core members would sell anyone on the magic of the Wu. Hardcore fans will find it redundant and should go straight to the film. ~ David Jeffries

Arriving in the early 1990s, when rap was split between gangstas and bohemian jazz-rappers, Staten Island's Wu-Tang Clan promptly reinvented intelligent hardcore hip-hop. A unique contract deal, allowing the group's individual members--including Ol' Dirty Bastard, GZA, Method Man, Raekwon, and chief sonic architect RZA--to pursue solo careers on the side, made them the most prolific rap crew of the late-'90s and beyond. In addition to their various individual projects, Wu-Tang's love of Asian martial arts cinema led to them presenting various Hong Kong classics and to RZA's collaborations with filmmakers Jim Jarmusch (GHOST DOG: THE WAY OF THE SAMURAI) and Quentin Tarantino (KILL BILL).

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