Liquid Swords
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Liquid Swords | ||
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| Studio album by Genius/GZA | ||
| Released | November 7, 1995 | |
| Recorded | ??? | |
| Genre | Hip hop | |
| Length | 55:19 | |
| Label | Geffen Records | |
| Producer(s) | RZA | |
| Professional reviews | ||
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| Genius/GZA chronology | ||
| Words from the Genius (1990) |
Liquid Swords (1995) |
Beneath the Surface (1999) |
Liquid Swords was a 1995 (see 1995 in music) solo album by Wu-Tang Clan member Genius (GZA). Though the album was credited to Genius alone, there are numerous guest appearances from the entire Wu-Tang Clan, like all their earlier solo albums. Liquid Swords is widely acknowledged as one of the best Wu-Tang solo albums, on par with classics like Return to the 36 Chambers: The Dirty Version (Ol' Dirty Bastard), Tical (Method Man), Ironman (Ghostface Killah) and Only Built 4 Cuban Linx (Raekwon).
Liquid Swords is characteristic of the Wu-Tang Clan in its distinctive, sparse, menacing beats by producer RZA, and its cinematic themes relating to Martial Arts films. The album begins with a monologue from a little boy; his monologue, and many of the other skits scattered throughout the album, are from the cult film Shogun Assassin.
The track names listed on the back of the album cover are incorporated into a short paragraph, and are not in order. The liner notes list two tracks that don't appear on the album: "Swordsman" and "Hellz Wind Staff". Most fans believe that this wasn't a production error; rather the tracks were intentionally put there to confuse listeners. The 11th track, Unexplained, is often erroneously listed as Swordsman on websites and other sources.
The album is also known for its distinctive cover, designed by DC comic artist Klaus Jansen.
Contents |
[edit] Track listing
All songs produced by RZA unless otherwise noted.
| # | Title | Time | Performer(s) | Sample(s) |
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| 1 | Liquid Swords | 4:30 |
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| 2 | Duel of the Iron Mic | 4:06 |
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| 3 | Living in the World Today | 4:23 |
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| 4 | Gold | 3:57 |
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| 5 | Cold World | 5:31 |
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| 6 | Labels | 2:54 |
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| 7 | 4th Chamber | 4:37 |
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| 8 | Shadowboxin' | 3:29 |
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| 9 | Hell's Wind Staff/Killah Hills 10304 | 5:08 | ||
| 10 | Investigative Reports | 3:49 |
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| 11 | Swordsman | 3:21 | ||
| 12 | I Gotcha' Back | 5:01 |
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| 13 | B.I.B.L.E. (Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth) | 4:32 |
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[edit] Personnel
- Raekwon the Chef - Performer
- Ghostface Killah - Performer
- Method Man - Performer
- Mark A. Humphrey - Photography
- GZA - Performer
- U-God - Performer
- Killah Priest - Performer
- Dreddy Kruger - Performer
- RZA - Producer
- ODB - Performer
- Masta Killa - Performer
- Inspectah Deck - Performer
[edit] Music samples
- GZA's "Shadowboxing" (file info) — play in browser (beta)
- Click above to hear "Shadowboxin'", track eight on Liquid Swords
- Problems listening to the file? See media help.
[edit] Album chart positions
| Year | Album | Chart positions | ||
| Billboard 200 | Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums | |||
| 1995 | Liquid Swords | #9 | #2 | |
[edit] Singles chart positions
| Year | Song | Chart positions | |||
| Billboard Hot 100 | Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks | Hot Rap Singles | Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales | ||
| 1994 | "I Gotcha Back" | - | - | #29 | #39 |
| 1995 | "Cold World" | #97 | #57 | #8 | #8 |
| 1995 | "Liquid Swords" | #48 | #33 | #3 | #2 |
| 1995 | "Shadowboxin'" | #67 | #41 | #10 | #9 |
