Ol’ Dirty Bastard
Return to the 36 Chambers – The Dirty Version
(Rhino/Elektra)

The coolest accessory to own on Planet Hip Hop ever to date is Return to the 36 Chambers from ODB. Now Wu Tang Clan fans can show off a fancy box set of ODB. It’s your own slice of history that is eloquent and deserves credit like a classic collector nerd type would have in their trunk of musical treasures.

“Shimmy Shimmy Ya” changed 1996 and so did Ol’ Dirty Bastard, one track at a time in this era. My favorite joint is “Brooklyn Zoo,” a song I can’t keep off repeat, even in 2012. “Damage” has a classic Wu song formula laced with Gza and a Rza beat, making you want more as usual. “Cuttin’ Headz,” a track toward the end of the album, is a perfect storm of everything you like from the usual clan suspects.

Like a good myth that never dies, you get everything a rocker’s rarity could offer and more. Complete with a dirty version sticker plus a 12-track bonus disc featuring various remixes, a cappellas, and instrumentals. Between discs one and two this whole package is a DJ’s best friend every night of the week, but the end of “Baby C’mon” will always be pure genius.

Now that downloads are killing the rap industry, you as a consumer should expect more for your buck, and this is defiantly worth it. For fans like me, who grew up getting the “W” tattooed on them long before it was a daily occurrence, it is even more so.