Going To The Edge With Raekwon In “Shaolin Vs Wu-Tang”

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A little to the left… a bit more to the right… and there will be Raekwon with his newest release, Shaolin Vs Wu-Tang. Raekwon is best known as a member of the Wu-Tang Clan as well for his critically acclaimed release, Only Build For Cuban Linx, which he released back  in 1995. So what does this former member of the Wu-Tang Clan have to share within his new release? It seems to be a message he seems to want the hip hop community to listen to.

Visit Raekwon’s MySpace page for a full stream of Shaolin Vs Wu-Tang.

After the very public controversy brought about by the latest Wu-Tang release in 2007,  which centered around the production that the RZA selected for the album, Corey Woods, aka  Raekwon set out to release a Wu-Tang album titled “Shaolin vs. Wu-Tang” which would not feature the RZA at all.

Instead, the album was only a concept and thus the hip hop star took the title and concept and designed a solo effort, which would not feature any production or work from RZA.

So what message does that send to RZA or to the hip hop community? Perhaps it could be a variety of messages…

With guest appearances from current music and hip hop heavy hitters such as Busta Rhymes Nas, Rick Ross and Ghostface Killah , Raekwon welcomes the other artists with their creativity. He then presides over the “solo throne” on the other tracks, not relying solely on other artists to bring the project validity and promise.

That classic Wu-tang sound is very prominent in the project, thanks to the sampling of classic kung-fu flicks present in the intro as well as throughout the album. So does that make Raekwon a creative genius? Or is he someone who is bringing his musical past successes into his hip hop future?

Despite the lack  presence from RZA, it does feature members of the Wu-Tang “fraternity”…  those members, who sided with Raekwon regarding the outcome  of the last Wu-Tang project. For example the track titled “Every Soldier in the Hood” features Method Man and ‘Man’ seems to have a renewed spirit and strength, as his lyrics are strong, sturdy and full of genius.

With production of the effort, stellar and uncompromising, guest spots orchestrated like a maestro who has delved into a creative haven, Raekwon has taken his talent and moved beyond what he seemed he was destined to create: an emcee who has unquestionable skill, drive and stamina.

I guess in the end, that stamina, that skill  it is what  truly matters. It is what presides and it is the message he seems to want to convey to his musical community, and standing for self in any realm has only propelled and strengthened those that do so.

So his message is free to be interpreted as any adoring  and devoted Raekwon   fan sees fit. After all, music is about interpretation and standing to the left or to the right is OK as long as the stance is indeed a strong one.

Shaolin Vs Wu-Tang is released on the Ice H20 (Ice Water) label. Buy it now on iTunes and Amazon.

Track Listing:

1. Shaolin Vs Wu-Tang

2. Every Soldier In The Hood Ft. Method Man

3. Silver Rings Ft. Ghostface

4. Ferryboat Killaz 5. The Scroll

5. Masters Of Our Fate Ft. Black Thought

6. Rich And Black Ft. Nas 8. Butter Knives

7. Crane Style Ft. Busta Rhymes

8. Chop Chop Ninja Ft. Inspectah Deck, Estelle

9. From The Hills Ft. Method Man, Raheem Devaughn

10. Last Train To Scotland Ft. Lloyd Banks

11. Rock N Roll Ft. Jim Jones, Ghostface, Kobe

12. Molasses Ft. Rick Ross, Ghostface

13. Dart School

14. Snake Pond

15. Wu Chant (Outro)