It's been an interesting time for the Wu Tang Clan. They've been at the forefront of the hip hop world this year despite staying rather low key in terms of musical production, mainly because they're dropping an album that will exist as one single entity. RZA outlined his ambition for 'Once Upon A Time In Shaolin' to be a creative masterpiece, a piece of art that belongs in museum. It's open to the highest bidder so it's expected to be snapped up for a couple milly, which is far beyond me, not just in terms of the price tag but as I won't be getting my mits on it, it's hard to be excited for it.

A few weeks ago, the Wu dropped a normal album - 'A Better Tomorrow' something that I was looking forward to and could actually cop. It's cool, I don't mind it and as Method Man, my 'put a gun to your head and choose your favourite, or else' favourite Wu member, features heavily, it's easy to find enjoyment in it. Much of the intrigue/drama building up to the album was between Raekwon and RZA, with the Chef not too pleased with RZA's overall sound. Too much 'hip hop hippy' and not enough classic Wu Tang sound or something like that. Personally, I sit on the fence. You can definitely sense the over exuberance in RZA's production, he's like the kid who walked in to the candy store and picked out everything. Which is fair as RZA has been on a creative whirlwind of a journey directing films and shit, but there's definitely elements of the classic Wu, such as on Hold The Heater.

To me, the concept of the album is forward thinking, just peep the title. Not in terms of being revolutionary or anything though. The Wu aren't looking back here and the sounds reflect that, so do the lyrics with bars focusing on wisdom from hip hop veterans. Social commentary, street tales and general spit from guys who have done it all and seen it all. That's why I don't like to compare it to previous Wu Tang stuff because besides the throwback 'get the Clan back together' element, the album is looking forwards. There's definitely enough there to keep you vibing and you'll have performances from Cappadonna, U-God, Masta Killa and Method Man to relish. That's where I enjoyed the album the most, it gave other guys a chance to step to the front and shine, the glory of the Wu Tang Clan is that there's currently 9 guys (RIP ODB) who trade bars, who step forward and put together hard verses and compete against each other. That also makes things bloody hard.

Where A Better Tomorrow fall short is that it's a bit all over the place. Which is understandable when you're dealing with 9 veterans who have different agendas, opinions, financial situations, priorities, ambitions ... I could go on and on. Besides the better tomorrow theme, there's no linking ideas in the album and the same can be said about the productions and raps. What I didn't get from A Better Tomorrow, I got from Ghostface Killah's 36 Seasons which dropped a few weeks after the Wu project.

Ghostface Killah lays down a concept album based on the idea of an OG returning to the hood, or existing in the hood. Whether it's finding that his old girl has a new man or the street politics where GFK/Tony Starks works the level above the streets, you can find GFK telling stories. You're dropped in to the streets of New York and you've got GFK alongside you guiding you, educating you and setting you up for success on the streets. Typical Ghostface Killah.

Fellow New York veteran AZ joins Ghost on 5/14 songs, which is pleasure to my ear drums as AZ is equally as talented at the crime lord raps as Ghost. It's raw, New York street stories which as a hip hop fan is probably one of the top 5 concepts that you're looking for. So it's hard not to nod your head but be interrupted by a line that forced you to rewind to try comprehend what on earth was said. 

There was always going to be holes in A Better Tomorrow, it's bloody hard to get everyone one the same page but solely looking at different aspects of the album, you can't help but put a smile on your dial and be slightly impressed. All those different aspects don't really come together in to one cohesive musical orgasm, but they exist pretty nicely. 36 Seasons takes you on a journey, every song adds to that journey with its own style and you can transport yourself.

In a weird, unintentional way, you get the near complete Wu Tang Clan package. I don't think we will or should see the Clan get back all in together and drop another album, it just doesn't seem worthwhile. But to lose hope would be wrong, there's a better tomorrow ahead and for me, these two albums showed that there's still plenty of value in each Wu Tang member. Whether it's via their solo careers or the sporadic one off jam there is still plenty left in the chambers, perhaps that's the mark of the Wu Tang Clan.