Wu-Tang alum putting out solid work
Of all the rappers introduced under the Wu-Tang Clan banner, Gary Grice is not only the oldest (he just turned 42) but the most underappreciated. Sure, his 1995 solo record "Liquid Swords" is considered a classic, and the artist twice-billed as the GZA and The Genius has been performing the whole record live for more than a year now.
However, you'd think he hadn't done anything since, especially compared to the hype generated for other Wu-Tang alumni like Ghostface Killah, Method Man and Raekwon.
GZA's dependably solid fifth album, "Pro Tools," showcases the MC's assured flow, intelligent rhyme schemes and desire to set himself apart from the cheesy excesses of commercial hip-hop. The latter is most evident on the RZA-produced "Paper Plate," a scathing diss track aimed at the flimsy, disposable rap of 50 Cent and G-Unit (he calls them "Flea Unit"). He should sound like a grousing curmudgeon, but "Plate" is too strong. In true Wu-Tang style, its smoky beats and gloomy orchestration, as well as that of songs like "Groundbreaking" and "Short Race," provide enough weight to assure they are taken seriously, despite the insistent head-bobbing they induce.
Another track, "Life is a Movie," incorporates samples from Gary Numan's "Films" and breathtaking drum breaks for an uplifting departure. From the gritty political bile of "Columbian Ties" and paranoid suspense tale "Cinema" to concept tunes "Alphabets" (the clever chorus runs through the whole alphabet) and "0% Finance" (packing in as many car makes and models as possible), the Genius justifies his lofty title with his trademark engaging wordplay and mush-mouthed yet katana-sharp delivery. By the time he's rhyming without a beat on the strangely censored live bonus track, he's proved his lyrical superiority. Here is a veteran that deserves a grander fate than mere Wu-Cult respect, one still making records worth hearing by anyone who believes commerce has killed hip-hop.
• GZA/Genius performs (including "Liquid Swords" in its entirety) at 9 p.m. Sunday at House of Blues, 329 N. Dearborn St., Chicago. $21.50 advance, $24 day of show. (312) 923-2000.