Ironman (album)

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Ironman
Studio album by Ghostface Killah
Released	October 29, 1996
Genre	Hip hop
Length	67:12
Label	Razor Sharp/Epic/SME Records EK 67729 (North America, first pressing) EK 67955 (North America, second pressing) 485389 (Europe)
Producer	RZA True Master
Professional reviews
All Music Guide link Entertainment Weekly B+ Q Rolling Stone link The Source Spin Magazine
Ghostface Killah chronology
Ironman (1996) Supreme Clientele (2000)

Ironman is the debut album by Wu-Tang Clan member Ghostface Killah, an American hip hop artist.

Compared to other first generation solo albums released by Wu-Tang members, it is slightly different owing much of its thematic scope, mythology and samples from classic 1960s and ’70s blaxploitation as well as Kung Fu films. It is also notable for being more open in its references to the Nation of Gods and Earths and the Clan's beliefs as a whole as is illustrated in the vocal interlude before the song “Black Jesus.”

[edit] Album information

Contrary to the earlier Wu-Tang solo albums, in which the emcees involved were believed to be infallible (Only Built 4 Cuban Linx..., Liquid Swords), Ghostface is very "human" here, with a tribute to his mother on "All That I Got Is You" and a song about one of his past women on "Wildflower". Ghost rhymes on this album with a unique uptempo, stream-of-consciousness style. The album is filled with collaborations and only two tracks ("Wildflower","Poisonous Darts") feature Ghostface on his own. The two most prominently featured artists are Raekwon and Cappadonna, appearing on 13 and 5 tracks respectively. They accompany Ghost on the album's cover and their names are also featured on the cover.

On this album, Ghostface discovers a new and highly praised lyrical style, which he would continue to use on his highly acclaimed second album Supreme Clientele. On this LP, producer RZA combines the dark keyboard tones (which were heavily used on Liquid Swords) and the soul samples (which were heavily used on Only Built for Cuban Linx) to create a soulful and melodic yet dark and harsh feel that would later influence many other Wu-Tang releases, such as Wu-Tang Forever and Uncontrolled Substance, and many other East Coast artists.

[edit] Reception

Professional reviews:

• Rolling Stone (12/12/96, p.82) - 3.5 Stars (out of 5) - "After defining the music's rhythm in his dusted, offbeat, signature style, RZA emphasizes simple, precise percussion and bass thuds that are augmented by moody traces of lush strings, baroque riffs and samples from ’60s soul records."

• Spin (2/97, p.90) - 7 (out of 10) - "Ghostface raps a more explosive variant of the chippy, Wu-Tang rhyme combinations....This guy just sounds mean—brutal, skilled, and unpredictable. As usual, [RZA] provides awesomely dark and eccentric backdrops for the MC’s dark maneuvers."

• Entertainment Weekly (11/08/96, p.69) - "The latest from the Wu-Tang Clan member finds Ghostface talking vehemently about sex, politics, and sexual politics...." - Rating: B+

• Q (6/00, p.123) - 3 stars out of 5 - "More about lyrical finesse than anything else. 'Daytona 500' is a maginifcent, fast-paced testing of skills with Raekwon and Cappadonna...everything is delivered with tongue-twisting Wu-Tang virtuosity that untangles with every listen."

• The Wire (10/01, p.46) - "A masterpiece...Raekwon and Ghost raise the slang bar quickly, analogizing various mysterious practices to various foods."

• Vibe (12/96, p.186) - "Ghostface bangs out sarcastic, street-camouflaged wildness...If Only Built 4 Cuban Linx...had you open, prepare for another gaping wound."

• The Source (12/96, p.124) - 4 Mics (out of 5) - "Introspective lyrics, haunting melodies and intense emotional moments...[The] RZA does another masterful job, topping himself in terms of sonic diversity..."

• Rap Pages (1/97, p.25) - "Yet another tangled web of expectations-bashing yarns; an exhilarating listen...with moments to inspire both cardiopulmonary palpitations and contemplative nods...Ironman is the Wu banger to challenge your demands and ultimately win you over..."

• NME (12/21-28/96, pp.66-67) - Ranked #29 in NME's 1996 critics' poll.

[edit] Track listing

All tracks produced by the RZA unless otherwise stated

1. "Iron Maiden"
   • First verse: Raekwon
   • Second verse: Ghostface Killah
   • Third verse: Cappadonna
   • Contains samples from "Gotta Find a New World" by Al Green and dialogue excerpts from the film "The Education of Sonny Carson"
2. "Wildflower"
3. "The Faster Blade"
   • Performed by: Raekwon
4. "260"
   • First verse: Ghostface Killah
   • Second verse: Raekwon
   • Contains samples from "You Ought to Be with Me" by Al Green
5. "Assassination Day"
   • sample from "The Usual Suspects"
   • First verse: Inspectah Deck
   • Second verse: RZA
   • Third verse: Raekwon
   • Fourth verse: Masta Killa
6. "Poisonous Darts"
   • Chorus: Raekwon
   • Contains dialogue excerpts from the film The Mystery of Chess Boxing
7. "Winter Warz"
   • Chorus: Raekwon
   • First verse: U-God
   • Second verse: Ghostface Killah
   • Third verse: Masta Killa
   • Fourth verse: Cappadonna
8. "Box In Hand"
   • Intro: The Force M.D.s
   • First verse & bridge: Raekwon
   • Second verse: Ghostface Killah
   • Third verse: Method Man
9. "Fish"
   • First verse: Ghostface Killah
   • Second verse: Cappadonna
   • Third verse: Raekwon
   • Contains samples from "Change is Gonna Come" by Otis Redding and dialogue from the film Crying Freeman
   • Producer: True Master
10. "Camay"
    • First verse: Raekwon
    • Second verse: Cappadonna
    • Third verse: Ghostface Killah
    • Contains samples from "Can't We Try?" by Teddy Pendergrass
11. "Daytona 500"
    • Intro & chorus: The Force M.D.s
    • First verse: Raekwon
    • Second verse: Ghostface Killah
    • Third verse: Cappadonna
    • Contains samples from "Nautilus" by Bob James, "Turn the Beat Around" by Vicki Sue Robinson, "Crab Apple" by Idris Muhammed, "Da Mystery of Chessboxin'" by Wu-Tang Clan, "Incarcerated Scarfaces" by Raekwon & "Ice Water" by Raekwon
12. "Motherless Child"
    • First verse: Raekwon
    • Second verse: Ghostface Killah
    • Contains samples from "Motherless Child" and "Into Something (I Can't Shake Loose)" by O.V. Wright
13. "Black Jesus"
    • Intro: Raekwon, Ghostface Killah & Popa Wu
    • First verse: Raekwon
    • Second verse: Ghostface Killah
    • Third verse: U-God
    • Contains samples from "Riot" by Blackbyrds
14. "After The Smoke Is Clear"
    • Intro, bridge & outro: The Delfonics
    • First verse: Ghostface Killah
    • Second verse: Raekwon
    • Third verse: RZA
15. "All That I Got Is You"
    • First verse: Ghostface Killah
    • Chorus & second verse: Mary J. Blige
    • Outro: Popa Wu
    • Contains samples from "Maybe Tomorrow" by Jackson 5
16. "The Soul Controller" (This track was removed in later releases of the album due to the sample it contained.)
    • Intro, chorus & outro: The Force M.D.s
    • Outro: Popa Wu
    • Contains samples from "A Change is Gonna Come" by Sam Cooke and excerpts from the films Carlito's Way and The Usual Suspects
17. "Marvel"
    • First verse: Ghostface Killah
    • Second verse: RZA