GZA & Muggs - Grandmasters Review Thread

[ShaolinDarts]

9/10. Even better than I thought it would be. This album might be short in length but the amount of multi layered lyrics packed in will have the listener glued to the album for a long time. Each song has been been carefully crafted and while it may have taken only 8 days to record there isn't anything left to chance here.

One point that needs to be noted is that prior to the album release all that was said about this cd was that Gza is lazy and shows no emotion. I don't get this. What did people expect that he would be crying over Exploitation of Mistakes? He says it how it is.

[GENERAL WISE]

One point that needs to be noted is that prior to the album release all that was said about this cd was that Gza is lazy and shows no emotion. I don't get this. What did people expect that he would be crying over Exploitation of Mistakes? He says it how it is.

^^yea

[deadlymelody]

You know, 2005 didn't see a whole lot of Wu generals in action. Some Killa Beez released albums, with mixed opinions. U-God dropped a solo CD that was very forgettable. This album arrives at a very, very good time. Released not even two weeks after Wu Tang Meets Indie Culture, the GZA releases his 5th solo album. Featuring full production from the legendary, forgotten about producer, DJ Muggs. Muggs' production is very reminiscent to the gritty, raw style that the Wu Tang made famous. This tandem of GZA and DJ Muggs proved to be a perfect match as the two of them released, most likely the album of the year to some, and unquestionably the album of the year to me, the week of Halloween.

Opening-NA-Can't rate an intro with no verses, but the beat on this intro is absolutely fire. I love the crowd noise, and the mixing of DJ Muggs and GZA. It's a good way to start an album with a great beat.

Those That's Bout It-5/5-This beat is one of the best on the album. It's truly great to hear with the system to rev up. GZA comes in, a much more laid back, perfectly flowing delivery. You will never hear a bad verse from GZA. It's actually been proven impossible.

Destruction of a Guard-5/5-Excellent. A firey beat, and a hard chorus brought to you by Raekwon. This time GZA sounds upbeat, sounding determined to get his voice heard. This sounds, to me, the GZA you heard on Forever. His flow is much the same to me. This beat reminds me of Ice Water, with the "Ahhhh"s, and "Ooooo"s. A great song.

Exploitation of Mistakes-5/5-This might be the best overall beat on the album. It couldn't fit the meaning of the song any better. A sad, mourningful piano loop with a depressing sample. It's absolutely and completely perfectly done. GZA fits the beat correctly as well. He sounds like this happened to him and he's rhyming his heart out. A perfect way to do a sad song like this.

General Principles-5/5-Oh my geez. This is that upbeat shit you wanted to hear from GZA. This is the beat that reminds you of that grittiness the Wu rhymed over. GZA is basically saying that he's the best out there, and do not ever fuck with him. I know that you cannot mess with him on this song. A banging song, great to blast in the car it sounds better the louder you play it. I would know, I just gave my speakers a work out with this one.

Advanced Pawns-4/5-That organ beat takes time to get used to, but this is a dope beat. The highlight of this album is the chemitry that RZA, GZA, and Raekwon have. It pays to know each other since you were kids. You just know how to work together. I love RZA's flow and words in this song, I don't think he's lost a step. Plus, GZA flows greatly with the song and has great verses. I won't forget Raekwons verse, he did his thing, sounding on some Cuban Linx shit.

Queen's Gambit-5/5-Another beat done perfectly to match with the type of song. This is what GZA does best is these type of songs. As we all know, he uses all the NFL teams (exempt Falcons), to tell a love story. No other MC out there can do something like this, and GZA has done it numerous times. This is what puts him in the elite class of all time greats.

All In Together Now-5/5-Great song. I love the fast guitar beat. Some people hate guitar beats but this is done very well. This is dedicated to the late great ODB and the lyrics are awesome. ODB would be proud and we all wish that great man were still on this earth. Beat maybe gets repetitive.

Unstoppable Threats-5/5-My favorite song on the album. This is perfect, there simply is no flaw. GZA's flow is remarkable to me. The voice indeec has changed from 10 years ago, where he would shout out lyrics with fierce. Minus the anger in his voice, he hasn't changed one bit. Prodigal Sunn is an underrated killa bee and I am very glad he got on this album, he deserved it. Masta Killa drops a great verse, proving for the past few years he simply has been the best in the clan. He's only gotten better. He has that original rhyme style that no one can do as effectively. Anyone who would try his rhyme style would sound terrible, but he sounds magnificent.

Unprotected Pieces-4/5-A very nice beat with the violins. The beat is crazy, a lot of stuff going on. I don't think GZA really knew what to do with this beat. I thought he should have been very quick, delivering smoke. He went with the slower flow, which still works nice, but could have been better. A good song, but I don't like the girl sample in the chorus too much.

Illusionary Protection-5/5-Awesome drums. The drums are crazy. Premier couldn't have done it better, and he's known as a drum master. GZA sounds like he's angry and I like it a lot. This is a dope song, but in the chorus I don't like the guitar, which is used in Advanced Pawns. This is still an amazing song.

Smothered Mate-3/5-Ok, I don't really like the beat as much. It's probably my least favorite song on the album, but it's GZA and GZA never disappoints. I would have ended the album with a different song. It's unfair to say this is the worst song on the album, because every other song is crazy.

So to finish, I'll say that this is the album the Wu Tang fans needed. We needed an album that reminded us of what the generals can still do. Just give them dope beats, and you're going to create some incredible material. I have much love for DJ Muggs for blessing us with the production, and much love to the GZA for keeping it real. Like he says "I do it for the heart, and not for the charts." GZA, you are the GOAT man, keep it real for all of the Wu heads.

9.5/10 Edited to 8.5/10 the replay value on this CD isnt as great as I thought it would be once I got it

[num2son]

.....You will never hear a bad verse from GZA. It's actually been proven impossible.

9.5/10

[dat MF]

very nice album, gza's flow should be better, muggs production is good

7/10

[mic-cord-strangler]

very nice review deadlymelody.. i think im the only motherfucker on this board who hasnt heard the ablum yet. and i kow that WHEN i get it.. its gonna be fuckin crazy
muggs alwyas been in my top 3 producers and gza is the fuckin illest out there

[Stic.man4president?]

^^no ur not the only one
I still have to wait 1.5 week

[Shin Densetsu]

You know, I had my doubts about this album, I previewed some tracks weeks before I stepped into plan 9 at the campus bookstore and copped it. When I did cop it, I was amazed at how much better it turned out. As with Gza's albums after liquid swords, it is rather short, but it is short and sweet! There is not a wack song on here, some of them I skip since they are laid back but all in all they are not wack ya know>? I was expecting worse, but I am satisfied with this, I honestly think this is his best LP since liquid swords, beneath the surface was good but was too laid back for me, legend of liquid swords was going in different directions, but this album is just solid, much like liquid swords. Takes me back to the old days, I love the dusted beats, and hearing Rza rip it like he used to back in the day, and raekwon on some songs is pretty nice. Some of the songs are just straight up heaters, mad intense and all. And I absolutely love advanced pawns! I think part of the reason this is so solid is because Gza stuck to one producer for this one, the last time he did this was on liquid swords. So all in all the comparisons are inevitable, but either way this is a GREAT followup, one of the must haves of the year, and the FIRST Gza album SINCE liquid swords that I have been able to loop continously over and over again!

I think this shows that for his next LP's Gza should either limit the amount of producers or stick to just 1. I say either have Bronze Nazarreth, True Masta, 4h Disciple. and Rza, DJ MUggs, OR straight up LP's strictly with either Rza or Muggs. Or just a LP with production from rza and muggs, they can call it grandmastas of chessboxin' or something like that.

[Lesbian Nun]

Masta Killa drops a great verse, proving for the past few years he simply has been the best in the clan. He's only gotten better. He has that original rhyme style that no one can do as effectively. Anyone who would try his rhyme style would sound terrible, but he sounds magnificent.

9.5/10

that's exactly what i always been saying...some people say MK got the weakest flow and barely knows where the beat is when he raps...that shit is pure fucking crazy that people would say that, i'd say MK has the best verse on that album...


Ninja men blended in with tha surroudin...

[deadlymelody]

that's exactly what i always been saying...some people say MK got the weakest flow and barely knows where the beat is when he raps...that shit is pure fucking crazy that people would say that, i'd say MK has the best verse on that album...


Ninja men blended in with tha surroudin...

Exactly. That Ninja men line is amazing. Great verse.

[Dr Zayus]

I love this album much more now. It's a grower. Up there with NSD - 9/10.

[Dante]

Masta Killa was very good on "Unstoppable Threats" maybe even the best verse on that song, but the whole album? Come on man, not even close...in my opinion at least. Just thought i'd drop my 2 cents on that.

[PJ FlemFlam]

haven't heard it but the lookz of it,itz straight,peace to the clan,oh yeah i didn't like that track he did fo gza on the legend etc,but i don't know some of his beatz don't appeal to me,they'll grow know harm done to his fans,i'm still a gza fan though 1

[Lesbian Nun]

Masta Killa was very good on "Unstoppable Threats" maybe even the best verse on that song, but the whole album? Come on man, not even close...in my opinion at least. Just thought i'd drop my 2 cents on that.

i actually just like hearing Masta Killa more then Gza...i like his flow and voice more...but lyrically he could never match Gza but now he's gettin up there, and his flow has just taken off like a missile...he's pure fire...

[Marc051]

1) Those That's About It - 5/5

2) Destruction of a Guard 5/5

3) Exploitation of Mistakes 5/5

4) General Principles 5/5

5) Advance Paws 6/5

6) Queen's Gambit4.5/5

7) All In Together Now 5/5

8) Unstoppable Threats - 6/5

9) Unprotected Pieces - 4/5

10) Illusionary Protection - 5/5

11) Smothered Mate - 5/5

Finally got my own copy. Every song is bangin, there's 2 or 3 that are magnificent and 2 that are good but a little weak compared to the rest of the album. This is a classic and it is better than No Said Date but it didn't have the same effect as Supreme Clientle, so it fits nicely right in-between them..