Genius / GZA - Liquid Swords

According to legend, when the Wu-Tang Clan formed like Voltron on their debut album in 1993, GZA happened to be the head - an appropriate place for a man also called The Genius. Yet at the time few could have predicted that his 1995 masterpiece ‘Liquid Swords’ would be considered one of the most substantial lyrical journeys in hip-hop history. At the peak of his powers as a producer, Wu-Tang mastermind RZA crafted the album's distinctive soundtrack at his basement studio in Staten Island; a haunting landscape of dusty samples, sharp snares and menacing urban gloom, with frequent interludes of dialogue from the classic Samurai flick ‘Shogun Assassin’. Cerebral, strategic and precise with his words, GZA crystallizes a range of influences - from chess to kung-fu films to mob flicks and Eastern philosophy - into sharply delivered rhymes. The album features appearances by the entire Wu-Tang Clan, and includes the auspicious debut of Killah Priest on ‘B.I.B.L.E.’ Acknowledged as one of the 100 Best Rap Albums (The Source) and Top 100 Records of the 1990s (Pitchfork), ‘Liquid Swords’ is now available as it was intended to be experienced, on double vinyl, with audio remastered from the studio tapes, and the original iconic cover artwork from DC Comics artist Denys Cowan. Also iincludes a 24” x 24” replica of original classic retail poster.

TRACKLIST:

A1. Liquid Swords   A2. Duel Of The Iron Mic   A3. Living In The World Today   B1. Gold   B2. Cold World   B3. Labels   C1. 4th Chamber   C2. Shadowboxin'   C3. Hell's Wind Staff   C4. Killah Hills 10304   D1. Investigative Reports   D2. Swordsman   D3. I Gotcha Back

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