WU TANG Vinilo y CD

Review: Legendary Weapons is the second of two compilation albums that focus on the works of iconic hip-hop collective Wu-Tang Clan. The first was fully endorsed by the band and had RZA as executive producer as well as dropping some knowledge in the form of various philosophical spoken word skits. This one features performances by Wu-Tang members, although GZA and Masta Killa are noticeable by their absence, and affiliates close to the crew such as Trife Diesel, Killa Sin and Bronze Nazareth. On top of that, further features come from Sean Price, M.O.P., AZ, Action Bronson and Roc Marciano amongst others.

Review: The first Wu-Tang release to feature all nine living members in over a decade, this new full-length is a reminder that when aligned, the Staten Island collective still operate on a level of their own. The production is raw and cinematic i heavy with martial arts samples, bassline grime and dusty soul flips i while the verses come sharp, tight and unshowy. No gimmicks, just business. 'Sucker Free City' and 'Mandingo' come in swinging, full of tight drum programming and rugged, overlapping verses. 'Roar Of The Lion' and 'Shaoilin Vs Lama' lean into the classic kung-fu mythology, with a sense of pace that recalls their earliest work. 'Cleopatra Jones' and 'Dolemite' are funk-fuelled standouts, where the crew's storytelling and timing land in full form. 'Let's Do It Again' and 'Trouble-Man' close with a tone of reflection that cuts through the grime. It's a new release, but also a reunion that doesn't feel like a legacy act i more like a sharpened return. No attempt to modernise, no need to. Just nine distinct voices, still bouncing off each other with control and character. A serious addition to the catalogue i and one for the heads.