Customer Reviews

Ghost Dog: The Way Of The Samurai - The Album

5 star:		(23)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(11)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(10)

 

 

If you are after the original music from the film, look out for the Japanese version of the soundtrack. It contains all the original instrumental versions of the songs from the film.

I was really impressed with "Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai"...the movie, and I was really impressed with the soundtrack...in the movie. Unfortunately, "Ghost Dog" the CD bears little resemblance to the tunes I remember from the film (maybe I just wasn't paying enough attention)...but I was shocked when I purchased the disc and realized that the best pieces of music- RZA's instrumental tracks were all but missing! Don't get me wrong, there are some good tracks on the disc; Jeru sounds good, RZA delivers some dope rhymes, so does Masta etc. but where is the dub-flavoured track from the film? the sword-practice track? The haunting chimes and beats from the opening of the film? This disc seems to collect all the filler from the movie...music which was played as background (and I mean BACKGROUND...read inaudible?)music and pasted them together in order to have a group of Hip Hop notables for sales purposes...Is this the record company's fault? I hope so. Anyway, I returned the disc, and am anxiously awaiting a second Ghost Dog CD release....how 'bout "Ghost Dog: The music we want to hear".

When I saw the movie, I thought: "Okay, the music in here is pretty phat. I guess I'll be checking out the CD." Mind you, I had high expectations for the music anyway, since I've always been of the mind that a lot RZA's tracks have MAD character and ambience, and that if he got rid of some of the rapping here and there they'd be great tracks to chill out or break the speed limit to.

However, the problem with this CD is that the stalking, spooky tracks from the film AREN'T ON IT! We're left with some record company-suggested/use-a-rapper tracks that just don't fly in the face of what you knew SHOULD have been on this disc. What we're left with are throw-away B-side second-tier Wu-tang tracks that Wu-tang probably wouldn't use.

This record hurt my feelings and my wallet. I wanted hip-hop artists to be able to show Hollywood that they could handle the "big stuff" like soundtracks. DJ SPooky got burnt the same way on "Slam". I guess we'll just have to wait for another one to come down the pike.

() I've never been so crazy about Wu-Tang music, but the music in the movie made me want to give the RZA another try, because it grabbed me so. Instead it's another Wu-Tang relase more or less, without any of the instrumental stuff from the movie that got me. I signed on here hoping there was a parallel, true soundtrack release, vs Ghost Dog the marketing accompaniment. Hope there will be soon.

I loved the movie GHOST DOG: WAY OF THE SAMURAI. And I loved the RZAs instumentals. Unfortunately this CD isn't aimed at fans of the movie who enjoyed the hypnotic instrumentals. They are no where to be found on the CD. I wish I had known this before breaking the seal, alas, it's too late.

This is strictly a hip-hop compilation, with a few of Forest Whitaker's Samurai Code quotes thrown in. On those terms, it's okay. There are some pretty cool tracks. I like 4 Sho Sho, Cakes, Don't Test, and Fast Shadow quite a bit. Samurai Showdown is pretty good... a version of the opening title music adapted with rap lyrics (it's heard in the end credits), but the lyrics drown out the hypnotic mood of the music. Some of the tracks are sub-par hip-hop, however, and should have been replaced by some of the instrumental music.

I was sadly disappointed to find that the one song that really caught my ear was not included on the sound track and although I was extremely disappointed I found that I really enjoyed the CD despite the fact that I'm not much of a fan of rap/hip hop/gangsta.
If you're looking for the sole reggae song that was played in the movie then you want find it here. The song you are looking for is Armagideon Time by Willie Williams, also covered by the Clash.

Like many people who saw Ghost Dog, I loved the film, especially Forrest Whittaker as Ghost Dog and I was very impressed by the soundtrack. You've probably already read that this is not the original film soundtrack, and this, in some ways, is quite annoying (I was really hoping they would have a full length version of the opening music, fantastic beat) but this could quite easily stand alone as a well made and interesting piece of rap/hip-hop. From the Technical wizard in the Wu Tang Clan, RZA, comes songs like the 70's inspired 'walking through the darkness' and the brilliant manic beats of 'fast shadow'. The other songs are pretty cool as well, check out 'strange eyes'- very chilled. This album is definately a grower

...It seems that those who saw the movie first are craving for the erie instrumentals and when they bought the CD didn't get it. Those who are fans of the artists on this CD love it... It is not a bad CD but it is NOT what you are looking for if you are looking for the MUSIC from the movie. The quotes are great and all, and so is the rap, but I really wanted to hear the instrumentals.

It's not bad, but if you thought you could find here the beautiful tunes you heard in the film, YOU WILL NOT FIND THEM HERE! Besides that, it is a decent rap record with some sentences from the film, but more than anything seems like a very smart commercial thing, nothing more. I don't understand though why they did not put at least the theme from the film in it! Jim, you really disappointed me, you did a great film, you should have cared more about what they issued with that name on!

If you're expecting the score to "Ghost Dog," I agree with an earlier post-er, this ain't it. It's a soundtrack, like the Prince "Batman" album, but it's not that amazing RZA score that's actually part of the movie. I don't regret buying the album as it's a lesson learned, but just don't be sold the wrong thing.