The Phoenix Network:
 
 
About  |  Advertise
Adult  |  Moonsigns  |  Band Guide  |  Blogs  |  In Pictures
 
CD Reviews  |  Classical  |  Live Reviews  |  Music Features

The RZA Presents: Afro Amurai —The Soundtrack

The RZA Presents: Afro Samurai — The Soundtrack | Koch
By MATTHEW GASTEIER  |  February 13, 2007
2.5 2.5 Stars
070216_inside_afro
Afro Samurai
Even as the Wu-Tang continue to flirt with the idea of reuniting, the RZA has already started a new life as a film composer. Although none of his work has yet surpassed his brilliant initial score for Jim Jarmusch’s Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai, his growth as a sophisticated composer of instrumentals is apparent here. Created for the anime-inspired basic-cable series, Afro Samurai is closer to Ghost Dog’s largely forgettable “official” soundtrack (as opposed to its much better “score”), which was a mix of inspired instrumentals and warmed-over Wu collaborations. The big surprise is how many of the tracks here slip into smooth R&B, a genre RZA has rarely ventured into — with good reason, perhaps, because without the super-producer’s trademark grit, the results are largely generic slow jams. There are moments when Afro Samurai rises to the occasion: a great collaboration with Talib Kweli on “Certified Samurai” plays the underground MC’s high-pitched voice off RZA’s deep pianos and ominous vocal samples so well it calls for a full-length encore. But unless they’re willing to tolerate average vocal tracks to get to the Asian-tinged instrumentals where RZA really shines, Wu fans are advised to wait for the inevitable resurrection.
Related: Natural style, This woman killed tax reform, Blonde ambition, More more >
  Topics: CD Reviews , Culture and Lifestyle, Jim Jarmusch, Fashion and Style,  More more >
  • Share:
  • Share this entry with Facebook
  • Share this entry with Digg
  • Share this entry with Delicious
  • RSS feed
  • Email this article to a friend
  • Print this article
Comments

[ 11/27 ]   Pixies + Jay Reatard  @ Wang Theatre
[ 11/27 ]   They Might Be Giants  @ Wolf Den @ Mohegan Sun
[ 11/27 ]   Legends In Concert  @ Fox Theatre @ Foxwoods
[ 11/27 ]   John Fogerty  @ MGM Grand @ Foxwoods
[ 11/27 ]   Fat Angus  @ Steve’s Backstage Pass
ARTICLES BY MATTHEW GASTEIER
Share this entry with Delicious
  •   UGK  |  September 18, 2007
    Underground Kingz is not quite an instant classic, but it would be hard to deny that UGK have reclaimed their throne.
  •   TALIB KWELI  |  August 20, 2007
    Ear Drum doesn’t reach the highs of that far more ambitious and sprawling album, but it’s a welcome return to form.
  •   SKILL RIDE  |  July 17, 2007
    All it took was a Godzilla sample and a simple, forceful “Simon says get the fuck up” for Pharoahe Monch to leave his mark on hip-hop history.
  •   THE HATE-LOVE-HATE CYCLE  |  June 18, 2007
    The field is already packed with newcomers and veterans alike, all aiming to knock down my standards of good taste and respectability . . .
  •   DIZZEE RASCAL  |  June 12, 2007
    Boy in da Corner may be the classic Dizzee will be forced to chase for the rest of his career.

 See all articles by: MATTHEW GASTEIER

MOST POPULAR
RSS Feed of for the most popular articles
 Most Viewed   Most Emailed 



  |  Sign In  |  Register
 
thePhoenix.com:
Phoenix Media/Communications Group:
TODAY'S FEATURED ADVERTISERS
Copyright © 2009 The Phoenix Media/Communications Group