Coming soon: Leftfield

Review: El Michels Affair's Enter the 37th Chamber is a curious exploration of Wu-Tang Clan's iconic beats through live hip-hop instrumentation. While the reinterpretations offer unexpected detours and minor blasphemies, they maintain a sense of familiarity, the dynamic arrangements and hazy, psychedelic atmosphere capturing the sorrow and menace of classic Wu-Tang tracks from a different angle. Standouts like 'C.R.E.A.M.' and 'Criminology' reimagine the original compositions with new layers of instrumentation, while tracks like 'Protect Ya Neck' evoke the soulful vibes of Booker T. & the MGs. Although some interpretations may stray from the original spirit, Enter the 37th Chamber ultimately succeeds as a series of familiar touchstones filtered through El Michels Affair's unique sonic lens. It's a compelling listen for rap-geek curios and fans of sample-based music alike.