Apollo Brown & Ghostface Killah - Twelve Reasons To Die (CD)

Twelve Reasons To Die, is a groundbreaking concept album conceived and created by Adrian Younge that follows Tony Starks (one of Ghostface Killah's alter egos), as a soldier for the 12 DeLucas, a 1960's era Italian crime family. But when Starks leaves the family, an epic story unfolds like a vintage horror film with gangster elements. It's a gritty story of good versus evil that walks the line of the supernatural accented by Ghostface's grandiose, vivid storytelling. Sonically, Younge constructs a distinct aural realm for Twelve Reasons To Die. It's music based on the break, the sonic foundation of hip-hop culture. But Younge traverses new ground by incorporating elements of what a composer would have used while making music in the 1960s: live strings, horns and drums. He also recorded the songs on 2-inch tape, giving each track a sonic heft and depth virtually non-existent in modern music. Wu-Tang Clan architect RZA was the one who chose Younge for this musical mission. As executive producer of the project, RZA added his touch to the album by providing Younge with suggestions, direction and the confidence to execute his vision at the highest level. This is a reissue with new packaging on Adrian's own label, Linear Labs. The second disc contains all the instrumental versions of the tracks found on disc 1.