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REVIEW:
Overall Rating:
  
Lyrics:
Beats:
Written By:
The Reccollectah &
Dark 7
Invader
Somewhere last week in Wu-International’s Top Secret
Headquarters, while drinking whiskey and eating caviar (*),
Dark 7 Invader
and
Reccollectah
started listening to the Wu-Nited States Compilation album.
The following discussion about this album was retrieved from
the Wu International Black Box:
01: Gunz High [Watchmen]
Rec: For a starter this is ok, but they have way
better tracks on the double album. I feel the beat just
isn’t sinister enough yet to fit the theme.
D7: The theme of the double LP
or this project? Its alright, nothing outstanding like their
previous songs.
Rec: Not the double
album but this song, trying to create a menacing atmosphere
but I feel they just didn’t hit it center spot. It needed a
little something extra somehow to fully get that menacing
atmos.
02: House Party In Compton [Black Knights]
Rec: This is quite ok I guess but nothing epic
either. I do like the fact they try to change their typical
West Coast KB sound on here though.
D7: I actually like that West Coast sound but I see
what you mean that its not the typical Black Knights sound.
This song was leaked last year so I heard it already, I am
assuming it was meant to be on their upcoming album, the
song is just ok.
Rec: Really, last year? Damn, must have missed that
then that time around. Oh well, let’ s check out Blue’s
“Outta Bounds”.
03: Outta Bounds [Blue Raspberry]
Rec: I feel Blue Raspberry needs mc's to back her up
on these type of songs. To really showcase her
talents on her own she needs more real songs, instead of
beats if you know what I mean ?
D7: Hmmmm... I love this song, having listened to
this album a couple of times I think this has to be the best
song on this compilation which surprising especially as I am
not big on R&B. Blue owned this song, it has a certain feel
to it that draws the listener in, it certainly wouldn’t hurt
to get an MC on it though like you suggested but it’s a hot
song on its own.
04: Wrong Turn [Young Maestro]
D7: Should I go first on this one? Without being
rude, I would say this is not my cup of tea.
Rec: By all means.. all I can say is that this sort
of topic has been dealt with more than enough already in the
past, usually on better songs.
05: We Roll In Brooklyn [Buddha Monk]
Rec: Haven't we heard that before on other
compilations or am I wrong? Not bad actually, normally I
don’t really feel Buddha Monk’s style but this was ok.
D7: Yes, this is a Lord Finesse production, this
joint is hot. Probably one of the best songs I have heard
Buddha on as far as solo goes, the only shortfall is that I
have heard it on probably two to three other compilations.
Perhaps it’s a filler track for this project.
Rec: Just checked, he had already used in on
“Prophecy reloaded” and on one of his “Zu chronicles” and
again he gives us this … I'm all pro-recycling but there are
limits. A shame.
06: Turn It Up [The Committee, Rugged Monk]
Rec: I’m sorry guys but I can’t help but finding this
one annoying. Skip plz.
D7: (Laughs) … I agree, I am a big fan of the Black
Knights and subsequently Committee, but this was not the
best posse cut from them.
07: We Everywhere [Ice Water Inc]
Rec: I can’t imagine this one getting stuck in my
head anytime soon either . It’s well produced and all but
nothing sticks out in the end plus that ragga hook doesn’t
work imo.
D7: We are beginning to sound like grumpy old men but
I have to agree with you on this one, another filler track
perhaps?
08: Lotion [BlackMask]
Rec: This one just makes me want to reach for the
Watchmen double instead to assure me again BlackMask has way
doper stuff out there. Maybe this was from one of his solo
albums from the pre Watchmen years?
D7: Not feeling this at all, yes could be from his
Luke days judging from the title, maybe I will give it
more listen but doubt I will ever enjoy it.
09: I Don't Know About You [Indovizualz]
Rec: If the Indivizuolz wanted to use a track from
their debut album then there were far better tracks on that
album to use e.g. “Fright Night” or “Can this be real”. Here
they sound like a Black Knights clone. Again, a shame.
D7: Great to hear Dexter Wiggle do his thing on here
but yes, this is not the best track on their album, nor for
this compilation either especially as so far we have not
heard anything new or outstanding apart from the Raspberry
track. I reckon most die hard Wu fans would have heard at
least 3 of these songs out of 9 so far.
10: I Got That [Seven]
Rec: {Sighs} … just another one out of a dozen West Coast KB
sound-alike's with a chorus that just sounds so uninspired.
D7: Don’t know who dude is, must be
from the Watchmen camp as he has nothing to do with the Westcoast Killa Beez, and this song is a
definite skip.. sorry!
Rec: I was referring to his sound Dark, not suggesting he
has affiliation, but agreed: a permanent skip.
11: Dream [Da Goldminerz]
Rec: This only made the previous track sound like a track of
the year nominee all of a sudden. Next plz.
D7: {LOL.} Slow down mate, I have been hearing a lot
of good things about this group actually, and this I reckon is not their best
effort, I
will have to give this song another listen before I decide
Rec: Ok, ok, maybe I exaggerated a bit but I didn’t feel
this one at all I’m afraid … as so many tracks so far, guess
I’m getting a bit frustrated here. Let’s hope they have
indeed better ones up their sleeves.
12: Bang Bang [Tyko The Cycho]
Rec: Intro was spot on I’m afraid: I am not ready for this
one and I doubt I’ll ever be. Wasn’t there a Cypress Hill
joint back in the day where they also used “bang bang” for
the chorus with a far superior result ?
D7: Well dude did his thing at least, "In the land of the
blind, one eyed man is king", guess this is not so bad
compared to some of what we have heard so far?
Rec: Well I’ll give him this: he has a rough, grimey voice
and his flow is ok but that chorus … could have done with
some more efforts from his part. And by the way: I meant the
“Another body drops” track from the Hill, just remembered.
13: Morbid Era [Dungeon Master, and *D-Double E]
Rec: Is it me Dark or is this just getting worse and worse?
How many tracks have we got left after this morbid one?
D7: About two more to go, I liked what he did on his
latest single "Free ft. M.a.r.k", song was crazy, this one's
just ok, and generic, I have hard Dungeon on far better
songs too, this one comes across like a throw away track from his vaults.
14: Don't Give A What [Krumb Snatcha]
Rec: (perfectly singing along with the chorus ): “ Me – here
– nei-ther – mate!”
D7: I am a big fan of Krumb, so will have to disagree
with you on this one, coming from that Gangstarr
foundation and his previous albums and works makes it hard
not to be biased for me when it comes to this one I guess. I think the beat and concept is
what failed him on this song.
Rec: Yes, it was a surprise to see him on a Wu Management
compilation album. Didn’t see that one coming at all.
Wonder what the story is behind this. And indeed that beat
fails totally, so does the chorus. When you were good enough
to be part of the GangStarr foundation, I expect a bit more
than this.
D7: Krumb spits heavy my dude, go check his previous
works, and you shouldn't be surprised with the Wu Management
thing, last I heard he was being managed by Wu-Tang
management so his under their roster now it seems, we can
find out more when we interview Mook soon.
Rec:
Indeed, good
idea. Shall we check the last one then ? It sure looks
promising .
15: The Ravenous Path [Shaka Amazulu The 7th ft. Wisemen]
Rec: FINALLY !!! Now we’re getting somewhere again! This is
surely the most creative track and the most interesting
line-up. I can hardly believe Darkim did this, a very
unexpected but satisfying style change from the man! That
harmonica sounds like it’s been gathering dust up the attic
for centuries. Combined with that laidback beat and acoustic
guitar we get the best track of the entire album at the very
end of it.
D7: Yes I like this song, I have heard a different version of
this song with just Kevlaar and Shaka on it some time back
but apparently this
is the original version, and you are spot on, its an
unlikely mix... sort of like an unholy trinity (producer,
group and soloist in a weird gumbo). Different rap styles from Wisemen and the
UK MC on a totally different untypical hip-hop beat from an
improbable contributor (Darkim) who strays or experiments outside his
distinctive production and it all works very well.
Darkim’s production skills are so underrated, I like to hear
more of his experimental stuff, and Kevlaar owned it
lyrically on this track I think, even though everyone else
was on point and sharp. Bronze on it would have been an overdose, I
also like the message on the song.
Final conclusion:
Rec: About 3 tracks are worth checking. Some of the others
just aren’t good enough to get remembered after listening
while quite a few have a nerve-wracking production too. So I
repeat: a shame. I expected more to be honest.
D7: I feel the project was rushed and quickly put together.
A number of filler tracks
with about 2-4 good songs overall,
the concept of a Wu-nited state's project which involved
different MCs all over USA and outside would have been best
served with probably a different line up, more time and a
conceptual feel to the overall album, worse still some of
the features are not really Wu or influenced by the sound. Great idea, bad execution….
Feel free to dis(Agree)
(*) Yes, it is indeed a harsh life at Wu-International’s
review bootcamp, all donations to help lighten our heavy
burden are appreciated.
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