Shaolin Soul Explained

Shaolin Soul
Type:Compilation
Artist:Various artists
Cover:Shaolin Soul.jpg
Released:December 4, 2001/September 21, 2018
Genre:Soul
Length:63:59
Label:Koch

Shaolin Soul is a four-volume compilation of music sampled by the Wu-Tang Clan, and their various solo albums. The samples are principally for the tracks produced by RZA, and as such, largely cover the earlier years of their career.

Reissues and follow-ups

In 2005, the first volume was reissued by Koch Records with a slightly changed track list.[1]

In 2014, a three volume series of albums was also released under the title The RZA Presents Shaolin Soul Selection - Volumes 1, 2 and 3.

Track listing

Volume 1

TitleTimePerformer(s)
1"Troubles, Heartaches & Sadness"2:35Ann Peebles
2"Let's Straighten It Out"3:47O. V. Wright
3"As Long As I've Got You"2:38The Charmels
4"The Masquerade Is Over"4:42David Porter
5"Groovin'"2:57Willie Mitchell
6"You Ought to Be with Me"3:14Al Green
7"You're All I Need To Get By"2:47Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell
8"If You Think It (You May As Well Do It)"3:01The Emotions
9"Nautilus" 5:00Bob James
10"Gotta Find A New World"2:22Al Green
11"Little Ghetto Boy (Live)"4:25Donny Hathaway
12"Could I Be Falling In Love"3:06Syl Johnson
13"After Laughter (Comes Tears)"2:59Wendy Rene
14"Ain't No Sunshine"2:47Lyn Collins
15"In The Rain" 5:07The Dramatics
16"The Way We Were" 4:34Gladys Knight & the Pips
17"Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child" 2:31O.V. Wright
18"Children Don't Get Weary" 3:33Booker T. & the M.G.'s with Judy Clay
19"Mellow Mood (Part 1)" 1:53Barry White

Volume 2

TitlePerformer(s)Sampled in
1"I Hear The Love Chimes"Syl Johnson
  • "Do You Hear the Bells?" by RZA
2"I'm Gonna Tear Your Playhouse Down"Ann Peebles
3"Hard Times"Baby Huey
  • "Buck 50" by Ghostface Killah
4"I Like It"The Emotions
  • "Shimmy Shimmy Ya" by Ol Dirty Bastard
5"I Keep Asking You Questions"Black Ivory
6"Honey Bee"New Birth
  • "Clan in da Front" by Wu Tang Clan
7"Maybe Tomorrow"Jackson 5
  • "All That I Got Is You" by Ghostface Killah
8"I Hate I Walked Away"Syl Johnson
  • "We Made It" by Ghostface Killah
9"Something"Al Green
10"Its Over"Eddie Holman
  • "Nutmeg" by Ghostface Killah
11"Warp Factor II (Edit)"Montana
  • "Retro Godfather" by Method Man
12"You're Getting Too Smart"Detroit Emeralds
  • "Incarcerated Scarfaces" by Raekwon
13"I Got The (Blues)"Labi SiffreNo hook by Shaquille O'Neal feat. Method Man and RZA (1994)
14"Ive Been Watching You"Southside Movement
15"Why Marry"The Sweet Inspirations
16"Gone The Promises Of Yesterday"Mad Lads
  • "'97 Mentality" by Cappadonna
17"Aretha Sing One For Me"George Jackson
  • "Child's Play" by Ghostface Killah
18"Come Go with Me"Teddy Pendergrass
19"That's Just My Luck"Syl Johnson
20"Simply Beautiful"Al Green

Notes and References

  1. Allmusic review