Raekwon - Only Built For Cuban Linx... Pt II [Album]

Ice H20 Records

October 25, 2009, 11:13 AM

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Raekwon aka 'The Chef' is back in full effect with Wu Tang cohort Ghostface Killah, providing more than ample back-up on the majority of the 24 tracks on offer.

“Only Built For Cuban Linx… Pt II” marks a return to glory for the Wu with Raekwon finally getting the Wu Tang sound he wanted for “8 Diagrams” out onto the streets. Any die-hard Wu Tang fan will know that Raekwon was highly critical of the Rza’s handling of “8 Diagrams,” which was a big disappointment to the majority of underground heads out there. Cuban Linx goes back to where part one left off and adds a variety of guest producers such as: Marley Marl, Pete Rock, J-Dilla (R.I.P.), Alchemist, Erick Sermon, Dr Dre, Necro and the Rza himself. MCs include the Wu Tang veterans Inspectah Deck, Method Man, Masta Killa, Rza, Cappadonna, Gza, and Ghostface Killa - with Ghost featuring the most heavily throughout “Only Built For Cuban Linx… Pt II.” Look out for Busta Rhymes, Jadakiss, Styles P, Slick Rick and Beanie Sigel too.

What you can expect from this album is a welcome return to the kung fu samples and storytelling lyricism that made us all fall in love with the Wu in the first place after “36 Chambers” was released back in ’94. When the J-Dilla produced ‘House of Flying Daggers’ kicks off with the Inspectah taking the first verse, it lets you know what you are in for with Raek and Ghost rhyming like “Only Built For Cuban Linx… Pt II” was their first and last.

Necro provides one of the most memorable productions of
“Only Built For Cuban Linx… Pt II”with ‘Gihad’ which fails to credit Ghostface with one of the best verses on “Only Built For Cuban Linx… Pt II” as he discusses getting head from his son’s pregnant girlfriend, while cooking up crack only to find his son walk in on him with a gun. It’s raw stuff and not for the faint-hearted, but Wu fans will know these flow inside out by now. Yet when they come with the beats to match it's hard to rival the classic sound of Wu Tang. Smashing back with tracks like ‘Black Mozart’ and ‘New Wu.’

For me the stand out track has to be ‘Kiss The Ring’ - produced by Scram Jones, which seems to lend heavily from the simplest of Beatles samples. Again, the Inspectah Deck contributes with a verse that is delivered in such a way you want to hit the reply button.

All in all this is an essential purchase for any Wu Tang fan. Not all the 24 tracks are on the same level by any stretch. ‘Baggin Crack’ produced by Erick Sermon - falls particularly short, but it's certainly a grower.

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