Customer Reviews

Enter The 37th Chamber

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

If your first thought when hearing of this is that this is something along the lines of Dynamite Hack, (see Take a Bite Outta Rhyme: A Rock Tribute to Rap), forget that these are "covers" of the beats from a seminal rap album--this work stands on its own as an excellent down-tempo bit of acid jazz and chill. It's atmospheric, relaxed, and organic, and yet never schmaltzy; always delivering a groove that's sophisticated. It has a fantastic retro feel to it, but one that comes across as fully genuine. There is no forced-sounding attempt to be "nerdy old skool," even with the Kingston-like horns punching it up between the scratchy guitars and plinking acoustic piano. It seems clear that no one involved in the making of this felt they had anything to prove to anyone--it's confident, without being arrogant. They sound happy to be playing whether anyone gets what they're saying or not.

It works very well as a soundtrack to anything you want to add a level of urbanity to--cruising is a good activity, for example--but it's involved enough to also command your full attention. I'm very energized and excited by this album, and very few albums do that for me consistently or for more than the first few listens. Several months on of hearing this effort and I feel very confident that I cannot recommend it enough to anyone who wants some sophisticated chillout added to the mix of their life's soundtrack.

Before listening to this album it was hard to imagine a soul/jazz/funk cover of Wu Tang's masterful '36 Chambers'...but this album takes a classic in exciting instrumental directions. The first two tracks are standouts which establishes the vibe for the album: a nice mix of strings, keys, horns, guitar, slick drums, and a few choice samples of martial arts movies to create a gritty but groovy atmosphere. I'm sure it helps to be a fun of Wu Tang's original album, but I don't think you'd have to be a fan of that album (or hip hop) to really dig this album. Head-noddin' goodness from start to finish. RIYL: anything from DJ Shadow to Medeski Martin Wood, any artists on the Stones Throw label.

I'm not really a fan of Wutang or any hip hop, and that doesn't matter at all to enjoy this album. I've been listening to it all week, and I still can't get enough. It's funky and jazzy. If you enjoy good music, you should get this.

This album contains excellent instrumental renditions of Wu-Tang Clan songs! I love Wu-Tang music and find that this is great for driving through the city with all the windows down and relaxing to. I think El Michels Affair does a solid job of making these songs accessible to everyone and still being true to the original tracks. Wu-Tang fans will enjoy this and I believe someone who dislikes hip hop would even appreciate this album.

Hopefully, El Michels Affair comes out with another album like this because there is an incredible amount of Wu-Tang material.

This was worth every penny.

Nice band. El Micheal's affair make modern soul jazz with hip hop beats,

Two things stand out. This band manages to make this music sound genuine without falling into formula. You are never going to mistake this for Jimmys Smith or McGriff, as the writing is fresh. This is close in spirit, but not sound, to Larry Young: take jazz organ and don't reinvent it but give it a sound that is a different take on the organism. In sound, I am reminded, in allusion and not xerox, of early Kool and The Gang.

The hip beats are mixed back: you are never going to mistake this for a 1963 Blue Note attack. But El Micheal's are smart: they really integrate a modern vibe--superimposing this is what makes most of these types of albums sound vapid and poises them to fail.

Worth checking out

I love this album front to back! No filers at all. Ive listened to it quite a bit and it does not get old. The way he blends classic Wu tracks is simply amazing. I think even if youre not a wu fan these smooth tracks are so easy to listen to that others will enjoy it. Peace.

This is a GREAT cd!!!! Put it on and you can just let it play. It's funny to see peoples reaction when they realize it's the Wu! Buy this cd and I promise you will not regreat it!