Words By Jesse H.

And what a journey it was.

While I may be in the minority in proclaiming that the RZA has a slight edge over Premo as the best producer of all time, the impact of the Wu debut is a monstrosity that we’re finally beginning to fully understand the magnitude of. Especially from a production standpoint, it’s remarkable to reflect on the 36 Chambers revolution in sound. With a dense, layered and inconceivably dark sound, RZA progressed from the gentle skipping of four-measure Hip-Hop loops to an uncertain, iron-booted journey down a corridor of horrors. A dimly lit hallway bubbling with uncertainty and squawking with warnings of potential danger. Lyrically, the record obviously speaks for itself as well, but with respect due to all the dense metaphors and advanced wordplay, the RZA’s boardwork is the reason the album is still talked about so fervently today.

What’s my evidence? Well, check the El Michel’s Affair’s new tribute to the RZA, Enter The 37th Chamber. With the disc, the nine-piece live band presents a bold new re-imagining of RZA’s unique vision, recutting several Wu-classics in a live band format.

The translation is, to no surprise, a fitting one as RZA’s production style has always had that cinematic quality worthy of being played by an expansive live band. The gentle creep and hushed woodblock of “Can It All Be So Simple” display the project’s mission best, expanding on a landmark piece of Hip-Hop production in a way that Pro Tools or an MPC can’t. Other highlights include the startlingly urgent horns that the band brings to “Shimmy Shimmy Ya” and the contrast of the abrasive wah-wah guitars when juxtaposed with the recognizably spooky piano loop on “C.R.E.A.M.”

Needless to say, the effort is often breathtaking and an incredible testament to RZA’s immense production talents. While the Wu may never take listeners back to the 36 Chambers, El Michels Affair provides an unreal journey through the 37th.

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El Michels Affair – “Shimmy Shimmy Ya”

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El Michels Affair – “Can It All Be So Simple”

Bonus Download — El Michels Affair – “Bring Da Ruckus”

Previously Posted — “Enter The 37th Chamber…”