Raekwon: Only Built 4 Cuban Linx Purple Tape Watch Box Deluxe Cassette Raekwon

The return of the purple tape! To celebrate the 20th anniversary of Raekwon’s classic 1995 debut, Get On Down has teamed up with Rae himself to give the legendary purple tape a deluxe reissue. They really went all out, giving the tape a premium “Watch Box” package complete with embossed logo and placard, full color outer box with wrap-around original cover artwork, plus 118 page hardcover book featuring lyrics to all songs and liner notes by Chris Faraone and Raekwon himself. Only 1,995 copies so be quick! A must have for the true Wu heads. Our O.G. Lab review for those of you that don’t know about this classic joint… This is the crown jewel of the Clans solo efforts. All the early Wu-solo joints were strong, but what separates Linx is the finesse. The record has the mandatory hype Wu-singles (Glacier of Ice, Ice Cream, Incarcerated Scarfaces), but its the moody non-single joints that really feel. The centerpiece is the lyrically delicate, but rugged “Verbal Intercourse.” “Live on the Run, Police paying me to give in my gun, trick my wisdom with the system that imprisoned my son, smoke a gold leaf I hold heat nonchalantly Im raunchy, but everything I do is real, It never haunts me” Nas delivers with the verse of that year (95) and elevates Rae’s and Ghost’s at the same time. “Knuckleheadz, Rainy Dayz, Guillotine, Can It Be All So Simple (remix), Ice Water, Heaven or Hell” it doesnt stop. Recommended.

• 20th Anniversary edition released in collaboration with Raekwon, who designed the set’s look & feel
• A Purple Cassette of Only Built 4 Cuban Linx is housed in a premium, “Watch Box” display case with white stitching, an embossed silver-on-black Raekwon logo, and a “The Purple Tape” silver placard on front
• Full color outer box with wrap-around original cover artwork
• Cassette only: repressing of the original famed “Purple Tape,” with full audio from 1995 album
• 118-page hardcover book, featuring lyrics to all songs and liner notes by Chris Faraone and Raekwon, plus photos and other visuals pertaining to album’s 1995 release
• Only 1,995 copies available worldwide for this 2015 Anniversary pressing
• music label: Get On Down 2015

reviewed by the mgmnt 11/2015