GZA: Pro Tools

Though nobody expects them to put up big numbers

anymore, Ghostface Killah and GZA have proven to be two of Wu-Tang Clan's most

resilient survivors. The two share a gift for dense crime narratives and clever

wordplay, but otherwise are a study in contrasts. Ghostface raps like he's on

the verge of a heart attack, or at least a crying jag. GZA, on the other hand,

has a chilly monotone largely devoid of emotion. He's got an ice-water flow, a

stylistic poker face that forces listeners to concentrate on his words and

ideas instead of the man behind them. His albums are all about the stories, not

the storyteller.

On his stellar new Pro Tools, GZA relies on production

to convey emotion. The standout "Life Is A Movie" plays it cool yet emotional,

with an edgy, disquieting beat, a chorus hearkening back to the nervous British

New Wave of the 1980s, and appropriately cinematic verses from GZA and RZA.

Concise and consistent, Pro Tools is so rich in detail that it takes a few listens

just to soak everything in. At a brisk 44 minutes, GZA's cold-blooded sonic

cinema invites and rewards repeat visits.