Ol' Dirty Bastard – Return To The 36 Chambers: The Dirty Version
Label: Rhino Records – RPD1 706205 / 603497835379, Elektra – RPD1 706205 / 603497835379
Format: 2 x Vinyl, LP, Record Store Day, Limited Edition, Picture Disc, Reissue, Remastered, Gatefold
Sealed
Country: UK & US
Released: Apr 22, 2023
Genre: Hip Hop
Style: Boom Bap, Hardcore Hip-Hop, Thug Rap
Tracklist
A-1 Intro
A-2 Shimmy Shimmy Ya
A-3 Baby C'mon
A-4 Brooklyn Zoo
B-1 Hippa To Da Hoppa
B-2 Raw Hide
B-3 Damage
B-4 Don't U Know
C-1 The Stomp
C-2 Goin' Down
C-3 Drunk Game (Sweet Sugar Pie)
C-4 Snakes
D-1 Brooklyn Zoo II (Tiger Crane)
D-2 Proteck Ya Neck II The Zoo
D-3 Cuttin' Headz
This is considered one of the best Wu-Tang solo efforts. Produced by Wu-Tang ''Abbot'' (never wanting to be known as leader) the RZA. the sparse beats and Ol' Dirty Bastards radical vocal style make this a very entertaining and origional Hip Hop record.
The intro for this record features Ol' Dirty Bastard introducing himself as Russel Jones, the now clich line of ''never before in the history of rap'' features, which always leads for me to doubt a record. His crack addiction is very prominent on this record, saying alot of things wrong, and generally slurring and stuttering his way through. He begins mock crying and singing as well. It's only really worth listening to every now and again, as the rest of the album is excellent. Good introduction for the first listen, but at almost five minutes, not worth it everytime.
''We have only 35 Chambers, there is no 36''
The instantly recognisable piano loop for Shimmy Shimmy Ya, kicks in after the obligitary Wu-Tang film sample. This track sounds like a missing song from Enter the 36 Chambers, with its sparse and heavy beats, and ODB's erratic vocal rasp grabbing the listeners attention. The line of ''Oh baby I like it raw'' will stick in your head for sure. This song is quite short, but its repetitive beat may have become too annoying if it was longer, a highlight of the album.
Baby C'mon has deeper bass, and distant guitar effects as opposed to the piano loop of single Shimmy Shimmy Ya, the deeper sound draws more attention to Ol' Dirty Basartds vocals, this is the first song on the album to recycle a line from Enter the 36 Chambers, the chant of ''Wu-Tang, Wu-Tang'' will be a treat for any fan of the origional 36 chambers. This is a great showcase of ODB's vocal style, with alot of lines starting as raps and ending up as slurred singing, in a great contrast to the steady bass lines.
The next song Brooklyn Zoo is the best track on the album, another piano loop, this time however, the loop is much more jaunted than on Shimmy Shimmy Ya, and there is more rapping than Shimmy Shimmy Ya also, with some great lines such as, ''I drop science like Cosby droppin' babies, enough to make a nigga go craaazy!'' this is a very aggressive track, with a very heavy and a fast beat, for the Wu-Tang Clan. Although, Ol' Dirty Bastard is not the greatest Hip Hop Lyricist, this is him at his best, and his delivery of his lyrics is whats important to focus on with his work. The song ends with Ol' Dirty Basard samples of ''shame on ya'' reminiscent of Shame on a Nigga from Enter the 36 Chambers.
Another piano loop introduces Hippa To Da Hoppa, which then dissapears to another sparse mixed soul beat. With guitar notes ringing in the background, with occassional electronic organs reminiscent of early New York Hip Hop. The piano loop returns to finish off this track. This is another short track, which is even shorter as there is a martial arts skit at the end. This one is mostly memorable for its chorus, this is one of the more relaxed tracks on the album.
The next track features Method Man of Wu-Tang Clan fame, this one starts with ODB's singing after a gloating introduction. Another mixed soul beat (it sounds like it is played backwards) ODB boasts about still being on welfare on this track, a design based on his welfare card adorns the cover of this record. Method Man makes a good effort on this track, although I find the repeated metions of period blood annoying for this track. ODB challenges his own namesake, by claiming that the style isnt new, its something old and dirty.
Learn More