‘Liquid Swords’ features GZA’s best cuts

Spencer Patterson

Friday, April 23, 2004 | 8:30 a.m.

Love the Wu-Tang Clan's music or despise it, you've got to admire the hardcore rap crew's plan of attack.

First the Staten Island, N.Y., group introduced its nine-MC posse to the world with a landmark debut album, 1993's "Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)."

The Clan then smartly capitalized on its name recognition, branching out with a series of solo discs.

The initial batch included solid efforts by Method Man, Ol' Dirty Bastard, Raekwon and Ghostface Killah. By far the most memorable solo album, however, came courtesy of Wu-Tang Clan founder GZA, aka Genius (born Gary Grice).

"Liquid Swords" features the best elements of the Clan's group work: somber tales of gangsta life, odd martial arts references and, most importantly, groundbreaking production by fellow Wu-Tang member RZA (born Robert Diggs).

The RZA, who most recently provided musical direction for Quentin Tarantino's "Kill Bill" films, was already at the top of his game in 1995, as "Liquid Swords" demonstrates.

Utilizing relatively spare beats and a bizarre array of samples, the RZA creates a spooky, foreboding vibe, the ideal accompaniment for GZA's lyrical style.

One of the brightest MCs on the scene, GZA combines weighty words with a laid-back flow, offsetting the heaviness of his message.

"Picture bloodbaths and elevator shafts / Like these murderous rhymes tight from genuine craft / Check the print, it's where veterans spark the letterings / Slow moving MCs is waitin' for the editin'," he announces during "Duel of the Iron Mic," issuing a challenge to rivals.

"Liquid Swords" also benefits from its guest rappers, including all eight other Wu-Tang members and Clan associate Killah Priest. Of particular note are the RZA's lyrical contribution to "4th Chamber" and both Method Man verses on "Shadowboxin.' "

Eventually, the Wu-Tang Clan's shrewd scheme also proved to be its undoing, as all but the most fervent fans found it difficult to keep up with with the landslide of solo and group material.

Through it all, though, GZA's reputation remains untarnished. The Clan's most talented rapper released solid follow-up discs in 1999 and 2002, though neither quite lived up to his masterwork, "Liquid Swords."

Artist: GZA/Genius.

Title: "Liquid Swords."

Year of release: 1995.

Tracklisting: "Liquid Swords," "Duel of the Iron Mic," "Living in the World Today," "Gold," "Cold World," "Labels," "4th Chamber," "Shadownboxin'," "Hell's Wind Staff/Killah Hills 10304," "Investigative Reports," "Swordsman," "I Gotcha Back," "Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth."