It seemed pretty unlikely back when Raekwon's 'Cuban Linx' and the Genius' 'Liquid Swords' were riding high that Raekwon's sidekick, Ghostface would one day provide the high water mark for Wu-Tang solo offerings. But this is exactly the position that Ghost finds himself in having almost single-handedly rescued the Clan's declining reputation with his last album, 'Supreme Clientele'.
It's a tough card to play against with a follow-up, especially in the wake of more disappointments from the Wu base between that release and its highly anticipated successor. In addition, if the hip-hop climate that so gladly received 'Supreme Clientele' was less than wildly exciting, the last year has seen the genre find its feet again and develop immeasurably with hip-hop and the innovations of contemporary R&B forging ever-closer links and finding fresh talent and beats outside of New York.
So, Ghostface's trademark soul-sampling (not a million miles from the nostalgic productions of Jay-Z's recent acclaimed 'The Blueprint') is destined to either hit-the-spot with an audience craving reassuring certainties or fall way off the mark, appearing anachronistic against a backdrop of Bubbas, Outkasts and N*E*R*Ds.
Things start the wrong way on the string-laden intro, with Ghostface and friends sounding like they've already lost the battle as they reflect on the state of 'the game' in 2001. "Niggas aren't even playing our shit man," they moan. "We started all that Cristal, all that Wallabee shit, all that aka Tony Starks shit, y'know what I mean?"
'Flowers', driven by an insistent cowbell and gentle keys and strings, is a million miles away from the intense claustrophobia of recent RZA productions like 'Careful (Click, Click)' and 'Let My Niggas Live'. And throughout the album almost verges on out-and-out party hip-hop. Remember, this is the Wu-Tang Clan we're talking about here.
'Never Be The Same' and the brilliant 'Love Session' follow the "they're being ironic right?" path marked out by the hammy excesses of 'All That I Got Is You' and 'I Can't Go To Sleep'. On 'Love Session', Ghostface charmingly refers us back to his and Rae's passion for culinary delights as he woos his lover. "Yo I know the perfect meal for you / big onions on sauteed fish / a little royale, a candle and one big kiss / you're my pumpkin and my melon custard." Brilliantly bonkers, as ever.
But, the most striking thing about 'Bulletproof Wallets' is its absolute normality. If the instantly recognisable Ghostface wasn't the voice riding on these beats, there's every chance that we wouldn't recognise Wu vintage here in a blind tasting. And, whilst Ghostface remains in possession of one of the most diverse musical imaginations in the Clan, this is ultimately disappointing in its lack of innovation.
