#LPLove – ‘Return to the 36 Chambers’ by Ol’ Dirty Bastard

The 1995 solo debut album of Wu-Tang Clan member Ol’ Dirty Bastard is a hip-hop classic.

Return To The 36 Chambers was mostly guided on production by RZA alongside Ol’ Dirty Bastard himself as well as True Master and 4^th Disciple. The album garnered the artist a Grammy nomination for Best Rap Album and its legacy has far surpassed its initial success.

The album is considered one of the best rap albums of the Nineties and hits like “Shimmy Shimmy Ya” and “Brooklyn Zoo” further cemented its legendary status. Featuring guest appearances from Wu-Tang Clan members GZA, RZA, Method Man, Ghostface Killah, Raekwon, and Masta Killa – the album perfectly showcased Ol’ Dirty Bastard’s personality and his very unique half-rapped/half-sung lyrical delivery.

One of the most original rap albums of all time, Return To The 36 Chambers was both gritty (thanks to its jarring beats) and groundbreaking. A truly original album that deserves a place in any record collection.

Thankfully, Return To The 36 Chambers has now been remastered and is available as a double LP in limited special edition. ODB was fearless, from rhyme attacks (“Damage”) to the grimy sagas of sex and violence (“Sweet Sugar Pie”) to the party jams (hit singles “Brooklyn Zoo” and “Shimmy Shimmy Ya”). The album is stacked with tracks that feel like the coolest, most bizarre recordings you’ll ever need to listen to…period.