Performer Notes

Personnel includes: Ol' Dirty Bastard; Method Man, The RZA, Raekwon The Cheff, The Genius, Ghost Face Killer, Lord Buddah Monk, Master Killer, Prodigal Sun, Zoo Keeper, Murdoc, Killer Priest, 12 O'Clock, Shorty Shit Stain, 60 Second Assassin (vocals).
Producers: The RZA (tracks 2-3, 5-8, 10, 12-16); Ol' Dirty Bastard, True Master (track 4); Ol' Dirty Bastard (track 9); Ethan Ryman, Ol' Dirty Bastard (track 11); Big Dore (track 17).
Engineers: Ethan Ryman (tracks 2, 4, 11); The RZA (tracks 3, 6, 9-10, 15); Ethan Ryman, The RZA (track 5); The RZA, Tim Latham (track 7); Jack Hersca (tracks 12-13, 17); Jack Hersca, The RZA (track 14); John Wydrycs (track 16).
Recorded at Chung King Studios, Fire House Studio, Battery Studio and 36 Chambers Studio, New York, New York.
All songs written or co-written by R. Jones. Samples include "Hip Hug Her" (as performed by Booker T. & The MGs).
RETURN TO THE 36 CHAMBERS: THE DIRTY VERSION was nominated for a 1996 Grammy Award for Best Rap Album.
"I'll grab the mic and I'll damage ya," boasts Ol' Dirty Bastard on his debut. Along with his producer, The RZA, the man with no father to his style has crafted a fine record, both solid and experimental--a Wu-Tang Clan solo project that can stand alongside the group's groundbreaking album. Whether crooning "Somewhere Over The Rainbow" mid-song or speaking in tongues, ODB constantly stretches the limits of what an MC sounds like. He'll damage your sensibilities, perhaps even your speakers--but remember, no pain no gain.
The success of hip-hop albums often rests on the character of a rapper; and though Ol' Dirty Bastard may not have the pure skills of Method Man, his persona is as complex as it gets. "The reason why I curse is cause my momma and daddy, they grew up cursing, so please respect my style," he states, demonstrating awareness of his image. The image is important: a staggering, foul-mouthed street urchin, ODB balances his braggadacio with humility (at least twice, he thanks us for listening). He explodes mid-sentence with exclamations, repeatedly punctuating his "Brooklyn Zoo" with a menacing "What?!" He may be unpredictable, but for the most part he's good-natured.
For fans of the Wu, this is a must have, truly a RETURN TO THE 36 CHAMBERS. But ODB is not just filling the void until the next Wu-Tang album; he is making the case that if The Genius is the Clan's head and Method Man its heart, Ol' Dirty Bastard is its sex drive and funny bone.

Professional Reviews

Rolling Stone (4/20/95, p.78) - 4 Stars - Excellent - "...With his raspy, lisp-punctuated voice and half-sung, half-rapped style, [Ol' Dirty Bastard] may well be the most original vocalist in hip-hop history..."

Entertainment Weekly (3/31/95, p.61) - "...This solo effort by a second member of the near-platinum Wu-Tang Clan showcases the raw, innovative talent of their illest member....RZA's signature dissonant piano loops [sparkle] behind Dirty's delirious, reverberating delivery..." - Rating: A-

The Wire (10/01, p.46) - "...Deeply entertaining..."

Vibe (5/95, p.97) - "...Ol' Dirty's catchy sing-along...is paired with subtle keyboards and the RZA's typically murky beats, yielding a mystic's brew, which, like all Wu-related fare, defiantly flies in the face of conventions....the aural pleasures are...convincing..."

The Source (5/95, p.65) - 4 Stars - Slammin' - "...The third shot fired in the Wu-Tang revolution spotlights the crazy drunken flow of the Ol' Dirty Bastard....a must-have for every real hardcore head....hardcore lyrics kicked live over a non-stop assault of that addictive Shao-lin funk..."

Melody Maker (4/22/95, p.35) - Recommended - "...an hour of cruel hard and frighteningly funny hip hop; the perfect companion piece to Wu-Tang's 36 CHAMBERS...the songs are driven by a vicious, unstable urgency..."

Village Voice (2/20/96) - Ranked #39 in Village Voice's 1995 Pazz & Jop Critics' Poll.

Album: Return to the 36 Chambers: The Dirty Version
#	Song Title		Time
	Disc 1
1)	Intro	More Info...
2)	Shimmy Shimmy Ya	More Info...
3)	Baby C'mon	More Info...
4)	Brooklyn Zoo	More Info...
5)	Hippa to Da Hoppa	More Info...
6)	Raw Hide	More Info...
7)	Damage	More Info...
8)	Don't You Know	More Info...

Album: Return to the 36 Chambers: The Dirty Version
#	Song Title		Time
	Disc 1
1)	Intro	More Info...
2)	Shimmy Shimmy Ya	More Info...
3)	Baby C'mon	More Info...
4)	Brooklyn Zoo	More Info...
5)	Hippa to Da Hoppa	More Info...
6)	Raw Hide	More Info...
7)	Damage	More Info...
8)	Don't You Know	More Info...