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As we seem to be heading for a new round of economic recession and media outrage at gang violence and street murders, perhaps we shouldn’t be surprised that the Wu-Tang Clang are now back in fashion after they ‘reformed’ last year.

Whilst founder member RZA (aka Robert Diggs) seems to reluctantly be involved with his street brothers comeback, in the meantime he’s gone back to one of his alter egos Bobby Digital who first emerged ten years ago.

For a producer who gets his inspiration from anything from Kung Fu soundtracks to Charlie Parker, this album features some of the best hip-hop you’re going to hear this year. Particularly, ‘You Can’t’ Stop Me Now’ with it’s gangster film intro (he’s worked on soundtracks for Quentin Tarantino and Jim Jarmusch) and ‘Straight Up The Block’ featuring David Banner in typically in-your-face mode (he’s got a nice French chat up line).

However, it’s the more off beat tracks that will keep our attention. ‘Creep’ is particularly good and hails from some twisted Samurai indo jazz (for more music from the far east, try The Rough Guide To The Music Of Japan) and ‘Drama’ with some folks called Thea & Monk (nice little bird song sample that could fit nicely into a mix with ‘The Nightingale’) .

Snoop Dogg has just released his first album for a long time Ego Trippin’ and you think you know he’s taking the P (talking of which, I note my copy of Snoop’s Death Row Greatest Hits of 2001 still has it’s HMV price sticker on it at £16.99!). I’d got for Digi Snacks if I had the choice of either and whilst on the subject of the comparison game, is Digi Snacks as good a the Wu’s come back album 8 Diagrams (titled after “one of the greatest kung fu films ever,” in RZA’s view)? I’d say so but I suppose the one common thread is that both albums are out to spread the word of hip-hop appreciation. “Put Your Guns Down Wu-Tang is forever”, spread that digi love.

Warning: “Bobby Digital, a persona RZA rects whenever he wants to be at his most foul-mouthed and playful. But don’t get offended - just think of it as blaxploitation bad vibes and take it for the strand of entertainment it is”. Philip Mlynar, Hip-Hop Connection, 2003.

Forthcoming Live Dates
15/16th July - Wu-Tang Clan play Shepherd’s Bush Empire, London Box office: 08444 772000

Reviewed: RZA as Bobby Digital - Digi Snacks (Explicit Version) (Bodog Music) Release date: 21st July 2008
Tracklisting
1. Digi Snacks Intro
2. Long Time Coming
3. You Can’t Stop Me Now feat. Inspectah Deck
4. Straight Up The Block Listen Listen
5. Booby Trap
6. Try Ya Ya Ya
7. Don’t Be Afraid
8. Good Night
9. No Regrets
10. Money Don’t Own Me
11. Creep
12. Drama
13. Up Again
14. Put Your Guns Down
15. Love Is Digi/Part II
16. O Day
17. Glorius Days
18. Insomnia

Links:
www.myspace.com/rza
www.myspace.com/inspectahdeck
music.bodoglife.net
www.rawkus.com
Gilles Peterson :: 27 March 2008 :: GP at the Movies Mix
RZA - ‘Ghost Dog Theme’ (Ghost Dog) (Victor)
www.hiphop.co.uk