RAEKWON THE LEX DIAMOND (EX)

Personnel: Raekwon, Havoc, Fat Joe, Ghostface, Method Man, Cappadonna, Capone, Sheek Louch, Tiffany Villarreal, Masta Killa, Water Inc., Ultra, Inspecta Deck (rap vocals).
Producers include: Mizza, Crummie Beats, Mercury, Andy C, Smith Brothers.
Personnel: Spontaneous (piano); DNA (background vocals).
Audio Mixers: Jacob Rodriguez; Matt Lavella; Wayne The Brain; D'Anthony; Steve Baughman.
Recording information: Laughing Dog Studios, New York, NY; Light At The End Of The Tunnel Studios, New York, NY; Sound Image Studios, LA; South Beach Studios, Miami, FL; The Hit Factory, New York, NY; Unique Recording Studios, New York, NY.
Photographer: Michael Lavine.
Wu-Tang Clan founding member Raekwon resurrects his Wu Mafia Lex Diamond persona for this long-awaited sequel to his solo debut, 1995's ONLY BUILT 4 CUBAN LINX. The focus is still stridently gangsta-obsessed, the samples sharply chosen, and the reappearance of Ghostface Killah adds an extra air of menace, particularly on the convincingly violent "Missing Watch." Time and again, Raekwon highlights the facts of thug life on tracks such as "Musketeers of Pig Alley," "Pit Bull Fights," and "Planet of the Apes." The litany of drugs, guns and violence builds unremittingly over the length of THE LEX DIAMOND STORY. By the time the almost gentle, lyrical "Once Upon a Time" rolls up, with Tekitha's coolly regretful vocals contrasting Raekwon's hard-edged delivery, the change of pace makes the album's intensity all the more apparent.

• Format: CD
• Genre: R&B