![audio review : a Mathematics compilation : Black Samson [ The Bastard Swordsman ]](https://marcellee.com/posts/135493.jpg)
The cover art suggests this is a Blaxploitation movie “starring” Mathematics; he produces the music for every track; but it’s also a Wu-Tang compilation of sorts. Every member is featured. It could almost be their new album. The best songs are the first three; Mandingo, Roar Of The Lion and Claudine. The plot starts to go astray from there.
my rating : 3 of 5
2025
We All We Got would’ve sufficed. The WAWG abbreviation is tacky and redundant. The album makes more sense musically; the Intro is vintage Death Row; though it doesn’t get particularly interesting till “the last record” when Snoop leaves LA for New York City. Who Da Hardest, he asks over a DJ Premier beat. Tha Dogg Pound reply with guests RBX and The Lady Of Rage as you wish the whole album sounded like this.
my rating : 3 of 5
2024
2024
2024
2022
2011
The odd song structure, which starts with a hook never heard again and separates two rap verses by what itself sounds like a Nate Dogg song demo, isn’t as off-putting as it should be. In fact it works, mostly because it all sounds good. The best part, aside from Nate’s splendid vocal melodies, is the beat; a pimped-out funk-guitar loop that sounds like it was made to smoke weed and fuck hoes to.
my rating : 4 of 5
1999
2020
2020
2009
This Boogie goes from good to great near the end when the GANGSTA chant comes in. Wale says it “crank like a motherfucker” and he’s right. What he should’ve done was interpolate it, at least the main parts of it, into the other chorus sections. As is, the song, which celebrates the Cali “gangsta” lifestyle with Kurupt and Daz, is a would-be classic.
my rating : 4 of 5
2016
2019