There were so many {$Wu-Tang}-related projects released during 1998 and 1999 that listeners -- and even fans -- could be forgiven for a bit of apathy regarding the second solo effort by {$Wu-Tang}'s {$Genius/GZA}. The collective's trademark detuned strings had gone from de rigueur to downright dated by mid-1999, and except for a well-received {$RZA} solo album earlier in the year, the lead in hip-hop's hype game appeared to have been taken over by {$Timbaland}'s brand of future funk. It may not have proved the commercial smash of a proper {$Wu-Tang} LP, but {$Genius/GZA}'s {^Beneath the Surface} is a worthy continuation and development of the {$Wu-Tang Clan} conglomeration. The best tracks here, {&"Amplified Sample"} and {&"Crash Your Crew,"} are quintessentially {$Wu-Tang}, but with important tweaks to the trademark sound. The crisp, clean production -- by {$Wu} associates {$Inspectah Deck}, {$Mathematics}, and {$Arabian Priest} -- sounds much better than any project that had been recently issued (even {$RZA}'s {^Bobby Digital}), and {$GZA}'s raps prove he's the most innovative and talented vocalist {$Wu-Tang} had to offer. The only failure (at least in terms of sound) is {&"Victim,"} a cloying track with a bit of scratched acoustic guitar and some {#X Files}-styled strings. Other than a few "skits" that disturb the flow, {^Beneath the Surface} is arguably the best thing to come out of the {$Wu} camp since their second proper album, {^Forever}. ~ John Bush, All Music Guide