Disco de Wu-Tang Clan: “Legend of the Wu-Tang: Wu-Tang Clan's Greatest Hit”

Given the uneven career of Wu-Tang Clan, ranging from undeniable classics like Enter The Wu-Tang 36 Chambers to weak (at best) efforts like Iron Flag, compiling a greatest hits package is bound to present some problems for its creators. The biggest question to answer: what can you offer to both people satisfied only owning their introduction, 36 Chambers, and those looking for an introduction to the group?

While creating a comparison to 36 Chambers would be impossible, Legend of the Wu-Tang: Wu-Tang Clan's Greatest Hits (BMG) serves a dual purpose: both as a Wu-Tang primer for the uninitiated and necessity for the diehard fan. Predictably, Legend draws heavily from the group's seminal debut 36 Chambers. Few groups, including Wu-Tang itself, would be able to top the success of 36 Chambers and it contributes nearly half the songs on Legend. To sweeten the deal for owners of 36 Chambers, alternate mixes of "Protect Ya Neck" and "Method Man" are provided. While the former is virtually indistinguishable from the original, the latter replaces the original with alternate verses and proves to be a highlight of the album.

In addition to the usual suspects from the "other three albums" - crowd bangers "Triumph," "Gravel Pit," etc. -- three more obscure songs previously released on non-Wu albums show up. The group sleeps through "Diesel" from the Soul in the Hole soundtrack, but fares slightly better on "Shaolin Worldwide" from the soundtrack to Next Friday and a cover of Run-D.M.C.'s "Sucker M.C.s" from 1997's In the Beginning...There Was Rap compilation.

In a perfect world, 36 Chambers goes the Ready to Die/Illmatic route and gets re-issued with remixes and rarities. But as it stands, Legend provides a solid overview of the Wu's career to date. Just make sure 36 Chambers is in your collection already.

1. C.R.E.A.M. (5/5)

2. Method Man (5/5)

3. Protect Ya Neck (5/5)

4. Wu-Tang Clan Aint Nuthin To F' Wit (5/5)

5. Can It All Be So Simple (4/5)

6. Shame On A N***a (5/5)

7. Da Mystery of Chessboxin' (5/5) BEST

8. Reunited (3.5/5) good song but hook ruins it

9. It's yours (4/5)

10. Triuph (4.5/5)

11. Gravel Pit (5/5)

12. Protect Ya Neck The Jump Off (5/5)

13. Sucker MCs (4.5/5)

14. Uzi (5/5)

15. Shaolin Worldwide (5/5)

16. Diesel (5/5)

ALL THE OLD WU-TANG SONGS ARE GREAT BUT THE NEWER ONES ARENT AS GOOD. BUT MOST OF THEM ARE STILL GREAT.

When nearly half of a Wu-Tang greatest hits CD represents their classic 1993 debut "Enter The Wu-Tang: 36 Chambers", you know the compilers have done well. This CD kicks off with the classic single "C.R.E.A.M.", and never looks back. Close to 12 years of the Clan's best work is represented here; from textbook posse cuts such as "Protect Ya Neck", "Triumph", and "Uzi" - to ill rarities such as "Diesel" and the Clan's cover of Run-D.M.C's "Sucker M.C's" (which by the way doesn't hold a candle to the original, but then again - what does?)

My only real beef with this greatest hits compilation is an issue that's been raised many times before on this site by various people. BMG REALLY, REALLY SHOULD HAVE INCLUDED THE ORIGINAL MIX OF "METHOD MAN". Seriously. That track is a classic showcase of Meth's mic skills, and the new remixed beat doesn't do Meth any justice compared to the original RZA beat. Other than the aforementioned minor misstep, this compilation is a great representation of the Clan's best work. Highly recommended - especially to new Wu-Tang fans.

R.I.P. O.D.B. - The Wu will never be the same.

best songs

"Da Mystery Of Chessboxin"

"Shame On A N***a"

"Wu Tang Clan Ain't Nothin To F*** Wit"

"Method Man"

"CREAM"

As a whole, the collection is a reminder of the excitement and genius that has made the group so enduring.