Producers include: Mathematics, "Choo" The Specializt, Carlos Broady, RZA, Carlos Bess.

Engineers include: Jose Reynoso, Tony Prendatt, Gabe Chiesa.

Recorded at 36 Chambers Studio, The Hit Factory, Quad Recordings & Track Records, New York, New York; Criteria Studios, Miami, Florida.

Most of the members of rap's Roman Empire, the Wu-Tang Clan, experienced sophomore slumps with their second solo releases, whether artistically or commercially (usually both). The second offerings from Method Man, Ol' Dirty Bastard, GZA, and Raekwon featured some of the old Wu magic, but not enough to warrant a claim to their once total mastery of the rap game. Just as the Wu empire appeared to be crumbling, along came the second installment from the Clan's spitfire element, Ghostface Killah (aka Tony Starks, aka Ironman). Every bit as good as his first release, Supreme Clientele proves Ghost's worthiness of the Ironman moniker by deftly overcoming trendiness to produce an authentic sound in hip-hop's age of bland parity. Some of the Wu's slump could be contributed to Wu-Abbott's (aka RZA) relative sabbatical. This album has RZA's stamp all over it, but the guru himself only provides three tracks. On this effort, the Wu-Pupil producers at times seem to outdo their teacher. RZA's best composition is the piano-driven, double-entendre-laced childhood retrospective "Child's Play." But of the many standout cuts, it's the slew of disciple producers paying homage to the Wu legacy that truly makes this album fresh-sounding: "Apollo Kids" (Hassan), "Malcolm" (Choo the Specialist), "Saturday Nite" (Carlos "Six July" Broady), "One" (JuJu of the Beatnuts), "Cherchez la Ghost" (Carlos Bess), "Wu Banga 101" (Allah Mathematics). While the album is complete and characteristically Wu-sounding, each track is distinctive lyrically, thematically, and sonically. Ghostface's Supreme Clientele is a step toward the Wu-Tang Clan's ascent from the ashes of their fallen kingdom. The once slumbering Wu-Tang strikes again. ~ M.F. DiBella

Since the release of the Wu-Tang debut, ENTER THE 36 CHAMBERS, Wu-lovers have been treated to a series of solo efforts from individual Clan member. Though all have been strong efforts, only a select handful have proven worthy of standing anywhere near that classic group debut.

SUPREME CLIENTELE, the sophomore album from the Wally-wearing Ghostface Killah, is one of those rare Wu solo efforts to fall into the latter class. With the RZA as the overseer, this album is a triumphant reminder of the influence that the Staten Island-based crew has had on the rap game. Ghost drops jewels of criminology and street ethics over basement-flavored production. And with its various Wu-appearances, SUPREME CLIENTELE is also a glimpse of what the Wu promises to bring in the 21st century.