GZA/Genius: Legend of the Liquid Sword FLAC, tracks+cue [2002]

Genre: Rap/Hip-Hop
Producing country: US
Year of release: 2002
Publisher (label): MCA
Catalog number: 113 083-2
Country: United States
Audio Codec: FLAC (* .flac)
Type rip: tracks + .cue
Audio Bitrate: lossless
Duration: 51:00
Source: Original CD




1. "Intro"
2. "AutoBio"
3. "Did Ya Say That?"
4. "Silent"
5. "Knock, Knock"
6. "Stay In Line"
7. "Animal Planet"
8. "Fam (Members Only)"
9. "Legend of the Liquid Sword"
10. "Fame"
11. "Highway Robbery"
12. "Luminal"
13. "Sparring Minds"
14. "Rough Cut"
15. "Uncut Material"

Released at the end of a quiet year for the Wu-Tang family, GZA's Legend of the Liquid Sword proves Gary Grice is easily the most underrated rapper in the fold, and definitely the most consistent as a solo artist. The album gains power as it progresses; after a compelling "Auto Bio" that's chained down by a bland production, and "Did Ya Say That," wherein the Genius sounds downright confused (or worse, resigned) about the game of label politics, Legend of the Liquid Sword locks into a great groove with the single "Knock, Knock" and rarely misses after that. Unsurprisingly, the Wu-Tang features "Fam (Members Only)," featuring RZA and Masta Killa, and "Silent," featuring Ghostface Killah, are big highlights, with a sound similar to 2001's Iron Flag. Surprisingly, though, his track with low-profile Wu-Tang member Inspectah Deck bests the other two. "Fame" finds the Genius weaving some clever word games around celebrity names, and guest Allen Anthony makes the title track into a grand funk jam akin to OutKast. The productions on Legend of the Liquid Sword are below average for a talent like his, but chances are good that's by design; since GZA is a rapper's rapper, his smooth flow and excellent imagination are all that's necessary to propel any of these tracks.