Once in a blue moon, some money-grubbing entity – could be a label or an individual – decides to put forth a product that, at its core, is dishonest. Nu-Mixx Klazzics, for example, was Death Row’s desperate attempt to cash in on Tupac Shakur’s work by pairing existing tracks with some of the worst production ever heard. Releases like these are completely devoid of creativity, and are usually lacking in quality. And of course, the intentions behind such a release are as transparent as can be – providing one does a little research. Mathematics’ Return of the Wu & Friends is an example of a product that, when held to the scrutiny of such research, doesn’t fare very well.
The truly embarrassing thing about Return is its rehashed tracks. “It’s What it Is” and “Iron God Chamber” both appeared on Masta Killa’s 2006 effort, Made In Brooklyn. “Strawberries & Cream” and “Rush” are from Mathematics’ 2005 album, The Problem, as is “John 3:16.” “Treez” has appeared on Mathematics Presents Wu-Tang Clan & Friends Unreleased. “Real Nillaz” made its way onto both The Problem AND Mathematics Presents… “Da Way We Were” is from 2003’s Love, Hell or Right (Da Come Up). That adds up to eight repeat tracks, some of which have not only already been released, but have already been re-released (over half of the album, for those of you keeping track at home). That still is not the last violation of this collection.
Regarding the “new” tracks: “Early Grave” lifts an Ol’ Dirty Bastard verse from “Dirty Mef” off of 2004’s 4:21 The Day After, and “Clap 2010,” “Respect 2010” and “All Flowers” are merely remixes of existing tracks. “Steppin 2 Me” is more disingenuous about its origins, as it lifts verses verbatim from GZA’s “Breaker, Breaker (Remix),” while being billed as an “exclusive” cut (note to labels: slapping a new name and new beat onto existing lyrics doesn’t mean it’s a new song). To add insult to injury, the album’s final cut, “Keep Pace,” is listed as being a Wu-Tang cut – but unless not a single member of the Wu-Tang Clan is featured on the track. Honestly, the only redeeming thing that can be said about this album is that it would be a barely passable product for someone completely unfamiliar with the Wu catalog. The lyrics are, as one would expect, on point, and the production ranges from horrendous (“Clap 2010” brings new meaning to the adjective, “minimalist”) to pretty damn good (“Rush” makes good use of the harpsichord).
At this point, it should be clear that Return of the Wu & Friends is a label’s (Gold Dust Media) shameful attempt to cash in on fans that have faith in the Wu-Tang brand. From mislabeling tracks as “exclusive,” to its gratuitous re-use of existing cuts, this release should leave a bad taste in anyone’s mouth. The hope here was, obviously, to imply that, at least in part, there was new material on the album. Even the name of the album is insincere – suggesting, in some way, that the Wu-Tang Clan has indeed returned to form like Voltron and feed the masses. But it’s clear that’s not the case in this album. From top to bottom, this project lacks respect for this talented producer and fans of the W.
Nice review, super classy.
Hot mess. I bought Math’s first album. He’s the only producer besides RZA that I think deserves to handle Wu. Maybe True Master/4th Disciple. But this looks like label mess-up.
weve heard this shit before the songs on here are old as my grandmothers fart and she died 11 years ago! CAN WE GETA G*# DAMN CANIBUS MELATONIN MAGIK REVIEW PLEASE? I CANT BELIEVE YALL RATED THIS SHIT BEFORE CANIBUS CD! YALL BET NOT FUCK UP EITHER WIT HIS REVIEW CAUSE THE SHIT HOT!
Better than “8 Diagrams” …….
really? ur that hurting?
you’s a Canibus stan
1. that bis album was a fuckin disappointment, nigga.
2. who ever wrote this article seems MAAAD butt-hurt about labels mixin’ and matchin’ tracks; c’mon nigga, why you frontin’ like you mad surprised that this shit is a sub-par label’s cashcow? Math ‘n’em is mad shady anyhow (but we all knew that, thanks to Q-Tip).
Cant it be it was all so simple……….
LOL, some of the comments on this site kill me, so witty and funny, match perfectly to the situation 😛
that bis album was actually pretty good. but im not gonna lie i checked out this wu “album” online and i already knew that it was about to be gay
The Canibus album Melatonin Magik was actually really really good. It’s just a disappointment for people who were expecting punchlines and stuff. It’s not that type of album…it’s more along the lines of something that Immortal Technique would put out. The Subject matter and lyrics on songs like “Only Slaves D.R.E.A.M.” were absolutely amazing.
As for this album, I’m disappointed after reading the review…I was looking forward to checking it out. I’ll still check it out to see for myself, but I’m not really hearing good reviews about it.
Canibus is not capable of putting out anything that can hold a flame to Immortal Technique.
U say that because Immortal technique’s bars are beyond your comprehension. “More along the lines of immortal technique” GTFOH.
i think this site hates on canibus. they didnt review the undergods ep either. Melatonin Magik was an amazing album. The only problem with it was all the features . But even the features all had nice verses that you cant really complain with,
Yeah agree the only problem with it was all of the features, but at least the majority of the features were dope. Psalm One, Copywrite, Bronze Nazareth, Warbux, Blaq Poet & few of the others were really good.
YO…I AGREE COMPLETELY DX!! AND YOU KNOW WHAT THE MOST HILARIOUS THING ABOUT THIS IS?? THE SOURCE GAVE THIS SHIT A 4!! YEA, 4 MICS!! WTF?!?!?!
I like many of the remixes, but this album feels like another Wu-fam cash-in. Full of old verses, and even old remixes, I’ll be buying some joints at eMusic from it, but that’s ’cause I’m a die-hard Wu head. Everyone else, don’t bother, keep your thirst for the definite Wu albums from Rae, Ghost & Meth, and INS’s.
Mathematics is a wack ass nigga. I got gassed in 05 & copped that bullshit he put out, never again will he get me. But for real anybody that looked at this album cover, read the album title, and still pay $1 for it deserves to get got…..WTF is Wu and FRIENDS??? That shit sounded shady right out the gate…..
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dam god how doese it feel to get dissed ? dont feel so good huh. all that shit yah talked about me and my music. who gets the last laff nowwwwwwwwwwwwww
did they not trademark any of those wu references on the cover or is rza getting paid off it?