The Wu-Tang Clan has dominated the hip-hop world for the past three years, starting with its classic debut, Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers). Each subsequent solo release from individual members has further added to the Shaolin collective's mystique. The fifth in that series is Iron Man, the debut disc from Ghostface Killah. Originally one of the Clan's lesser known figures, Ghost became visible in his co-starring role on Raekwon's Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... But while Raekwon's album perfected criminology rap, Iron Man delves into more earthy, introspective topics. Ghost rhymes like he has too much to say and not enough time to say it. His unorthodox flow makes his double-meaning-packed lyrics hard to fully absorb at first listen. While last year's single "Motherless Child" first hinted at his troubled childhood, "All That I Got Is You" (featuring Mary J. Blige) passionately details that autobiography of the Clan's most mysterious member over a loop from the Jackson 5's "Maybe Tomorrow." Backed up with support from his Wu-Tang brethren and a surprise cameo by '70s soul group the Delfonics ("After The Smoke Is Clear"), Ghostface Killah saves the day like a superhero by allowing us to take a look at the man behind the mask. - CMJ New Music Monthly (1/97). Ghostface's Ironman was released on October 29, 1996. Revisit this classic LP below...
A copy of the CMJ album review (January, 1997) is available below...
