Trials & Tribulations of Russell Jones

Long hailed as the most unpredictable and eccentric member of the Wu Tang Clan ODB (Ol’ Dirty Bastard) can also be called unstoppable. Incarcerated since July of this year, ODB has not ceased to continue his illustrious career. Shortly after his sentencing, he signed a record deal with the Los Angeles based independent label D3 Entertainment. The album THE TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS OF RUSSELL JONES will be released March 19th.

While ODB’s antics offstage have, in recent times, drawn more publicity than his musical output, he has enjoyed astounding success with the Wu-Tang Clan as well as with his solo efforts. It was almost ten years ago that ODB, along with cousins RZA and the Genius, formed the Staten Island-based hip-hop supergroup Wu-Tang Clan. Along with several other core rappers, they hit the underground with their debut release, Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) to critical acclaim and worldwide success. ODB’s solo effort Return of the 36 Chambers: The Dirty Version was released in 1995, and showcased his unique, maniacal, left of center style. N**** Please, was released in 1999 and achieved him legendary status.

The Trials and Tribulations of Russell Jones, Ol' Dirty Bastard's third album, was largely recorded while he was evading the authorities and finished just before he was arrested in a McDonald's in Philadelphia. Suffice it to say, this is not his best work. Despite the title (Russell Jones is ODB's real name), this is not a confessional record in which the Wu-Tang Clan man returns to sanity. Insanity is, in fact, a key part of his act and personality; the man who raps about "stinking like doo-doo" has a song entitled "I Wanna F**k" and is now spending two to four years in a New York prison.

If ODB's excellent Nigga Please explored his party side, then Tribulations delves into his dark depths, confirming his position as the Screamin' Jay Hawkins of hip-hop. The record brightens occasionally on tracks like "Caught Up," which takes off from where ODB left Kelis on "Got Ya Money," but while ODB's creative mania remains intact, the album's production feels rushed, with many of the beats sounding cheap and flat. Clan members such as the Rza and Raekwon are noticeably absent, wisely deciding to skip this one until their Shaolin colleague is free again. You best do the same. --Jake Barnes