Wu-Tang Clan & Various Artists
“Wu-Chronicles”
Priority/Wu-Tang Records
Grade: C+
Combining the mysticism of a
Saturday afternoon “Kung-fu”
marathon and the grim reality of racism
and urban violence, the Wu-Tang Clan
have come out with some of the most
original music in hip hop.
They have also been able to make
an impact every year in the music
world. That’s mainly due to the solo
projects each band member has
released since the band’s inception.
Fortunately, for casual Wu fans,
“Wu-Chronicles” is now available. The
“best of” collection features highlights
of each of the band members’ solo
works along with a couple of unre
leased tracks.
The album kicks off with “4th
Chamber” from one of the better MCs
of the group, Genius. Their fascination
with the martial arts is immediately evi
dent as a sample of a martial arts movie
is laid out before a harsh, throbbing
staccato beat hits the listener.
Less talented rappers may obsess
over filling every blank space with a
relentless beat, but each member of the
Wu-Tang, especially Genius and
Method Man, make effective use of
silence.
Fans of the late Notorious B.I.G.,
a.k.a Christopher Wallace, will no
doubt want to check out track three,
“The What,” as he trades off boasts with
Method Man.
Though each member of the Wu
Tang has a chance to show off their cer
tain strengths by putting all their songs
on one album, it leaves the album
somewhat disjointed. With the excep
tion of the unreleased tracks “Latunza
Hit,” by the Wu-Syndicate and “96
Recreation (Demo),” by Cappadonna,
The RZA and O.D.B, “Wu-Chronicles”
comes off as a nicely packaged mix
tape.
Critics of the gangsta rap genre will
have plenty of their arguments con
firmed with “Wu-Chronicles.” While
the musical styles may be varied, the
lyrical subjects are fairly universal.
Double breasted suits, enemies taken
out with glocks and shotguns and the
typical misogynistic blasts litter all of
the tracks on “Wu-Chronicles.”
The only other major gripe about
“Wu-Chronicles” is that most of the
tracks come from albums that were
more focused and realized than their
last collaborative effort, “Wu-Tang
Forever.” Taking them out of their con
text and pasting them together with the
works of another group member is sort
of like having an album full of Breeders
and Frank Black singles. It may be a
decent mix to do at home, but released
on a large scale, it just doesn’t quite gel.
Min, ior casual tans, its aetiniteiy
worth the purchase. Better to find out
your favorite rapper’s tracks with the
purchase of only one CD than to face
poverty for a couple of months by buy
ing each of the band’s solo projects.
Pick your favorite tracks off “Wu
Chronicles” and choose your own Wu
adventure.
-Sean McCarthy
BET, assorted artists
“Planet Groove”
Virgin Records
Grade: B+
It seems these days, everyone is
putting out a compilation album, a
trend especially beaten to death in the
hip-hop genre.
And every media outlet on the
urban beat seems to think they can put
out an album that will be the be-all and
end-all of compilations.
Along with a variety of record com
panies, video channels such as MTV
and VH-1 have all released sets of com
pilation albums. But who better to com
pile a mix of urban music than the
music television channel dedicated
solely to hip-hop, rhythm and blues and
rap? The answer is, of course, Black
Entertainment Television.
This week, the folks at BET have
released their first compilation - “The
Best of Planet Groove.”
Fans of the BET show could have
probably picked hundreds of songs as
the best of “Planet Groove,” but BET
narrowed it down to 15.
For the uninitiated, “Planet Groove”
is more of the sultry side of R&B
music. You won’t find Tupac Shakur or
Dr. Dre on the groove, but you will find
a mix of artists that aren’t on the gang
ster rap tip.
l he producers selected only the
greatest of R&B artists to appear on
BET’s debut compilation album.
Mariah Carey, Brian McKnight and
Erykah Badu are just a few that were
tabbed as the best of “Planet Groove.”
The first track, “I Get Lonely,” fea
turing the sexy sounds of Janet Jackson,
immediately sets the tone. Anyone try
ing to create an atmosphere will get the
job done by popping this in the CD
player.
One of the more erotic songs is
“My Body” by LSG. Three legends of
the game, Gerald Levert, Keith Sweat
and Johnny Gill each provide lyrics that
any Romeo would love to have in his
arsenal.
The slow tune and beat of the music
could lull someone to sleep or make
their knees buckle. That is the quintes
sence of “Planet Groove.”
Although most of the songs have
the traditional harmony and style R&B
music is known for, the lone problem
with the album is some of the songs
have been overplayed by radio stations
and video channels.
Montell Jordan’s “Let’s Ride,” fea
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turing Masta P and Silkk the Shocker
was on the soundtrack to “Dr.
Doolittle,” and the video was seen
everywhere and all the time.
But unlike most other compilation
albums, this CD also has a nice mix of
not so popular songs by very well
known artists.
R&B group Next, who shot on to
the charts in 1998 with “Too Close,” is
on the album with “Butta Love,” which
was on its album “Rated Next.”
SWy which has had several top 40
hits, appears on the CD with its song
“Rain.” It is a solid ballad that didn’t
make a lot of people’s best of list for
1998.
Obviously, the more well-known
songs are needed to sell records, but the
mix of famous and obscure tracks cre
ates a more well-rounded and represen
tative R&B album.
That mix, along with the quality of
songs, makes BET’s “The Best of
Planet Groove” one of the better compi
lation albums that have come out lately.
Fans of the show will love the
album, and people that haven’t turned
their television sets to Black
Entertainment Television will get a
good look at an up-and-coming music
scene.
-Jay Saunders
- t .. ,
Make it count for your degree!
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200s far sale
Specialized Rockhopper, metallic purple, hardly ridden.
Bought for $350. Will sell for less, plus free
U-lock. Call Erin at 436-0523.
Many items! Great for setting up house. Desk, table, 4
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Super single waterbed, 6 drawers below; nice head
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1 roommate needed in a 5 bedroom house located in
the Capital Beach area. Five minutes away from campus
475-5305.
1 roommate needed. Nice two bedroom apartment by
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Available now. Call 435-7838.
1 -2 M/F roommates needed for house in country, rent
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Female needed May - July. Brand new duplex near
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476-4598.__
Female roommate needed to share two bedroom
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Two responsible non-smoking female roommates
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3 bedrooms to rent in a 4 bedroom house. Close to
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3 BR, sublease May 1 - Sept 1. Pool, rec room, balcony,
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Wanted, 2 roommates to fill positions in a 5 bedroom
house. Mid-May through July. $ 179/month -t- utilities.
Call 438-5621.
