Label: Tommy Boy Records
Verdict: Ghostface makes a mockery of Wu-Tang reunion
If you're into Wu-Tang trivia, here's an interesting fact: Ghostface Killah has released nearly twice as many albums solo as he has as part of the Clan. Here's another fact: 36 Seasons, his 11th, is about twice as good as the wayward recent Wu-Tang reunion record.
It's everything A Better Tomorrow's not - fiery, focused and frequently thrilling. Much of that is thanks to Brooklyn production team The Revelations, who channel '60s-era soul for their simple but effective Blaxploitation soundtrack-referencing blueprints.
That gives Ghostface a brilliant backdrop to deliver a concept album featuring his drug-dealing alter-ego Tony Stark.
"I look down in my bag and see a stack of cheese, start making calls, buying artillery," he rhymes on Blood in the Streets, the album's climax that sees Stark tooling up over a funky riff on the Knight Rider theme.
