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[Full Album Notes]

Release Date: 20th January 2004

Label: Koch/In The Paint

Released Format:
CD / Vinyl / Tape-Cassette

Notes:
Production: RZA, Allah Mathematics, D.R. Period, Choco, Armand Van Helden, Mix Jive Musick
Featuring: CCF Division, Killarmy, TMF, S-Child, The RZA, Black Knights, Suga Bang Bang...

REVIEW:

Overall Rating:
Lyrics:
Beats:
Written By: Matthew Gasteier  [www.prefixmag.com]

If you want RZA's classic score to Ghost Dog: Way of the Samurai (not the sub-par "inspired by" soundtrack), it will run you at least thirty dollars. The World According to RZA, one of the best things RZA has put out in years, will put you forty dollars in the hole. But you can get the debut from Northstar, RZA's new lightweight duo from Long Beach, right next to his last forgettable solo record, Birth of a Prince, for $14.99 at your local record store. Why, RZA, why?

It's not that Christ Bearer and Meko, Northstar's two members, can't rhyme. It's just that they can only rhyme just enough to make you wonder why RZA would care. The beats, which are one-third RZA and feature equally strong board performances by Mathematics and house producer Armand Van Helden, are so much better than the lyrics here it's easy to be reminded of the Neptunes' dedication to the Clipse -- only this comparison makes the Clipse look really, really good. If you don't care about lyrics, buy this used and get down to "Red Rum" and "Luv Allah." Otherwise, Bobby Digital Presents Northstar is for Wu-Tang collectors only.

REVIEW:

Overall Rating:
Lyrics:
Beats:
Written By: FrankEinstein36 [wanadoo member]

Some of us have been following the Wu-Tang empire go through some hard times after "The W" and "Iron Flag". Meth's doing movies and prepping his long awaited 3rd album, Ghostface has got his Def Jam debut almost wrapped up, Raekwon's has the Wu staying alive with his offering "The Lex Diamond Story" while GZA, Inspectah Deck, Masta Killa and U-God are all busy with other projects and Ol' Dirty (now "Dirt McGirt") is busy with his Roc-A-Fella debut. However its a fact that with all of the Clan's newfound responsibilities, RZA's not going to let the Wu go peacefully into obscurity (even after the lukewarm response from his last album "Birth Of A Prince") as he's recruited two of his killa bees from the left coast (Long Beach to be exact) as Northstar (a.k.a. Meko The Pharoahe & Christ Bearer) to be the very first Wu-Affiliates to raise the flag and have the entire hip-hop community once again chanting "Wu-Tang, Wu-Tang!!!!" Having Bob Digi backing them, they seem to have the job already done but we'll see if the road they've taking is one that'll bring acclaim and success.

Meko and Chirst Bearer start things off right teaming with Kinetic (f.k.a. "Beretta 9" of Killarmy fame) with "Luv Allah" as Armand Van Helden blends in the perfect formula with a speeded-up sample and has all three kicking some good verses while Mathematics (the savoir for Wu's production woes) bring some good beats like 'We Got It". RZA puts in four tracks, first off with the dancehall-inspired "Red Rum" which is okay, then comes the uninspired "See Me" as RZA tries way too hard to put in some of that west coast vibe (it kind of seems like he made that beat in 10 minutes) and it seems like "Destiny" is sort of a recycled beat that was left off one of his Bobby Digital albums. This track was begging for a guest cameo from Ghostface while the ony good RZA-produced track on here is "64". On "Ballin" as D.R. Period tries to incorporate Tony,Toni,Tone's "Anniversary" with less success.

Mathematics comes back with another one of his gems with "Duckie" where we get to see Meko and Christ Bearer display some good storytelling skills as they reflect of a friend of theirs on here. Finally some of the Wu influence comes into play with "Black Knights of the Northstar" where Doc Doom and Midnight join in for a decent collaboration. To me, if RZA wanted Meko and Christ Bearer to help established the Wu back into the powerhouse dynasty they once was then he should have tried harder, maybe some hardcore beats that he's known for and some cameos for this album from Meth, Raekwon, Ghostface, Inspectah Deck, Masta Killa, Streetlife and RZA himself wouldn't have hurt either. It seems that if the Wu wants to make a comeback and take back the throne of hip-hop we'll have to see when the flag is raised for real and the Clan forms like Voltron again while Northstar heads back into the lab and come back with a real, stronger effort.

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