Back in print on double vinyl! In a way, RZA's whole career has been leading up to this project. If you read that Wu-Tang Manual he wrote, you know how much of the Wu mythology / philosophy is rooted in cartoons, action heroes, kung fu, samurais, codes of honor and all that. After laying down the scores for Ghost Dog and both Kill Bill movies, it's only natural that RZA should create the soundtrack for an ultra-violent anime revenge tale, which happens to star Samuel L. Jackson as a silent samurai with wild hair. This isn't your run-of-the-mill soundtrack neither: RZA called in the big guns for this one, as evidenced by Talib Kweli's appearance on the heavy "Certified Samurai" and Big Daddy Kane & GZA on "Cameo Afro." The show's "Afro Theme" is woefully short, but has a hot beat and some classic marble mouthed RZA vocals.

• music label: Ample Soul 2008

reviewed by Chris Lemon-Red 03/2008