Think Differently Music: Wu-Tang Meets the Indie Culture is a pairing of Wu-Tang, and indie artists. For example, tracks such as “Biochemical Equation” features a collaboration effort between Rza and MF Doom. The tracks featured on this release are inspiring, well put together, and extremely entertaining. There is a perfect mixture of talent on this release, as everyone holds their own in this masterpiece. The concept of this compilation is refreshing, as it’s a definitive piece created to bridge the gap between mainstream and indie artists. This compilation gives its indie contributors a good opportunity to showcase their skills, and talents to a broader audience of fans that may primarily listen to mainstream hip hop music from well known artists that never disappoint such as Wu-Tang. Think Differently Music Group, Babygrande Records, and Dreddy Kruger (the A&R) deserve an enormous amount of recognition for making this release a reality.
The most appreciated tracks on the release include “Lyrical Swords”, “Biochemical Equation”, “Verses”, “Preservation”, “Cars on the Interstate…”, and “Give It Up”. The absolute brightest spot on the album is “Preservation” featuring indie icon Aesop Rock, and Del Tha Funky Homosapien. Del and Aesop Rock gel extremely well together, as if they’ve been performing together for years. Both artists spit some of the hottest bars that fans need to hear. The least appreciated tracks include the introduction, and interludes that are scattered through-out the album. The interludes are creative, and dope to the ears, but like drinking too many beers – no matter how intoxicating, its dead weight. Fans appreciate full length songs much more than interludes, and all of the full length songs featured on this album are dynamite. The album in whole has a perfect flow, as each song connects tightly with the next like Lego blocks. It’s like every song was created with the intention of sitting beside its counter parts on the left, and right side. This album makes for a great listen over, and over again.
The album artwork is phenomenal, and extremely well put together. The album jacket contains an abundance of information for fans to read with regards to the music, and artists featured. A great piece of literary gold for the inquisitive fan that strives to know more about the music they love. This albums presentation is the highest quality, well complimenting of the music featured inside. The sound quality is of the highest quality, as are the beats, and rhymes. Fans certainly are served up a real treat with this release.
Embedded in some of the songs on this release, there are a few interesting samples, and references to classic Wu-Tang songs that fans grew up loving. Theses samples help bring that classic and refreshing Wu-Tang vibe to this release. There is also an O.D.B. Tribute featured on the album which is nice to hear, although, with the resurgence of deceased rappers in some of the songs of today, it would have been nice to be blessed with an O.D.B. verse to flip the tribute into a song, as oppose to an interlude. Regardless, the gesture is classy, and much appreciated by fans. DJ Noize does work some dazzling magic with the tribute.
The level of talent featured on this release is unbelievable. Regardless of whether you’re a hard core indie hip hop fan, or a mainstream fan, or somewhere in the middle, it’s easy to believe that you’ll find this one of the best albums you’ve heard. Featuring performances by Ras Kass, Casual, C-Rayz Walz, Rza, MF Doom, Del, J-Live, Aesop Rock, U-God, Gza, and more the music is undeniably & continuously hot.
Critics might critique the albums use of interludes, as well as the fact that there could be more of a Wu-Tang presence from some of the other Wu-Tang artists whom are absent. Perhaps there will be a volume 2 featuring a different mix of Wu-Tang artists? Critics cannot make any critiques against the mix of full length tracks as there are no dents in that sparkling amour.
Overall, this album is mandatory listening. Think Differently Music: Wu-Tang Meets the Indie Culture is a keystone release to any collection. Nuff said!
Track Listing:
1. Introduction
2. Lyrical Swords – Ras Kass & GZA
3. Slow Blues – Vast Aire (of Cannibal Ox), Byata, Timbo King & Prodigal Sunn
4. Still Grimey – U-God, Sean Price, Prodigal Sunn & C-Rayz Walz
5. Skit
6. Think Differently – Casual, Tragedy Khadafi, Rock Marciano & Vordul Mega (of Cannibal Ox)
7. Informercial #1
8. Biochemical Equation – RZA & MF Doom
9. O.D.B. Tribute – DJ Noize
10. Fragments – Del Tha Funkee Homosapien
11. Intermission
12. Street Corners – Bronze Nazareth, Soloman Childs & Byata
13. Listen – Littles, Khalid & Planet Asia
14. Infomercial #2
15. Verses – Scaramanga Shallah, La The Darkman, Ras Kass & GZA
16. Preservation – Aesop Rock & Del Tha Funkee Homosapien
17. Cars on the Interstate – C.C.F. Division (Shacronz & Freemurda)
18. Give It Up – J-Live & R.A. The Rugged Man
19. Black Dawn – Bronze Nazareth
