I know this has been done before, but watching the documentary has me deep in a Wu rabbit hole.

This is strictly on production. I have to say that Rza’s work on WTF and the first Bobby Digital record are my personal favorites because of him blending the live feel with samples. There is no question which era of his work is more legendary/important, but the way the drums smack on WTF are a beautiful thing. Lump in the live strings, bass tones and the way the album is mixed and I would argue WTF is the more enjoyable listening experience.

But I don't think the production on Forever or Bobby Digital is easier or better to listen to. I didn't like Bobby Digital and Forever doesn't work for me anymore.

But I also never picked up on a looser, 'live' sound to any of the tracks. Is there any song in particular that best describes the feel you mentioned?

The slightly off kilter drums on that. The messy bass on The City. Even Reunited, the drums are super crisp, I know most would say they prefer the dirty/dusty drum samples. But listening to WTF on a good system reminded me of how well this album is mixed, it just has a “bigger” sound which I personally prefer.

production wise RZA put his foot in it.

If Forever was condensed to one disc, it’d be the superior album.
But The W is just long enough where they couldn’t make too many mistakes.
Gravel Pit is still probably the only song I think is just “okay.”

The Jump Off is a classic party record imo, not quite Protect Ya Neck
but classic Ghost and Rza verses.

This is the Ghostface Wu album... coming off heels of SC.
We get his classic verse from Hollow Bones (Cream 2 imo with Rae & Deck as well)
We get I Can’t Go to Sleep.
Again, The Jump Off verse.

Careful (Click, Click) sounds like they rhyming in a sewer
some Rated R anime Ninja Turtles shit.

They went outside the clan for a few features and they all made sense:
A dope verses from Nas, Busta, Redman, and we get
ODB & Snoop.

Do You Really was a Tunnel sounding record imo.

Slept on album imo.

just played this for the first time in years a couple days ago, fantasticly produced record. some of the beats without prominent drum tracks could be on current rap records without much struggle

For real...
Hus Kingpin, Mach, Griselda, eto, Roc of course...

Would all sound lovely on some of these records.

all day for me..it still sounds fresh to me

Those dudes went off. The details!