Liquid Swords

Description

GZALiquid Swordson 2LP

According to legend, when theWu-Tang Clanformed like Voltron on their debut album in 1993,GZAhappened 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 masterpieceLiquid Swordswould be considered “one of the most substantial lyrical journeys in hip-hop history” (Chicago Tribune).

At the peak of his powers as a producer,Wu-TangmastermindRZAcrafted 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 flickShogun Assassin.

Cerebral, strategic and precise with his words,GZAcrystallizes 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 entireWu-Tang Clan, and includes the auspicious debut of Killah Priest on “B.I.B.L.E.”

GZA’sauspicious solo debutLiquid Swordshas been acknowledged as one of the ‘100 Best Rap Albums’ (The Source) and ‘Top 100 Records of the 1990s’ (Pitchfork).

LP1
1. Liquid Swords
2. Duel of the Iron Mic
3. Living in the World Today
4. Gold
5. Cold World
6. Labels

LP2
1. 4th Chamber
2. Shadboxin’
3. Hell’s Wind Staff (Skit)/Killah Kills 103044
4. Investigate Reports
5. Swordsman
6. I Gotcha Back
7. B.I.B.L.E. (Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth)