(RUN)

In 93, a crew of 9 MC's stormed on to the scene with the hip-hop classic album, "Enter the Wu-Tang." The masterminds behind this movement were two cousins, Robert Diggs and Gary Grice, better known as the Rza and the Genius/Gza.

Even that far back, Gza was highly regarded as the most gifted lyricist in the crew. Method Man had the voice and the presence, Raekwon invented Wu-bonics with Ghostface, but for straight lyricism, nobody could touch the Gza, with the possible exception of Deck.

The Genius' first solo album as a Wu-Tang member, "Liquid Swords" was arguably the best Wu-Tang solo, although it was tragically slept on. With tracks like "Shadowboxing," "Liquid Swords," "Cold World," and "Killa Hills 10304," the Gza reintroduced the world to the wordplay he had displayed on "Words from the Genius," his previous solo effort.

Gza rhymes laid back, like he's laying on a couch delivering darts straight through the forehead of the listener. His flow and delivery haven't changed all that much from "Liquid Swords," but then it really didn't need to develop that much. He also continues to intelligently analyze the world around him and relate it in magnetic missives through the headphones. What he has mastered that many emcees haven't is mixing complexity with an understandable message.

Tracks to check for include the first single, "Breaker, Breaker," "Hip Hop Fury," "Victim," "Publicity," and "Stringplay." Also, the skits on this album are well worth listening to, as they are quite thought provoking.

Guest lyricists include Rza, Method Man, Killah Priest (the Gza's protege), RES, Ol' Dirty Bastard, Masta Killa, Rza, Hell Raizah, Dreddy Kruger and Njeri, one of the illest female emcees I've heard in quite a while. Just about everything on this album was kept within the Wu family. Production was handled largely by Arabian Knight and Mathematics with able assists by the Rza, Deck and the Gza himself on the skits and Intro.

The final verdict is that many might sleep on this album as well. There are no tracks designed to blow up in the clubs or on the radio. Gza delivers another lyrical magnum opus over excellent, but understated production. Lyrical heads will love this album, as will Wu-riders. Some others may underappreciate it, but I recommend that they have another couple of listens and pay careful attention to what is being said. Run for this one, you won't regret it.

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