GZA (Babygrande)

Don't get it twisted - the title of GZA's new CD, "Pro Tools," is a nod to his microphone dexterity, not the industry leader in digital audio. Slinging "glorious slang" over stark beats that spotlight the Wu-Tang vet's frigid flows, his fifth full-length continues to sharpen the shatterproof wordplay first introduced on "Words From The Genius."

The whittled-down texture of lead cut "Pencil" exemplifies the verbal assault: "Direct order/ hit the border/ then slaughter/ horrific torture/ by prolific authors." Masta Killa, a reputable MC in his own right, follows GZA but sounds trite in comparison.

On the 50 Cent-diss track "Paper Plate" he's point-blank: "One verse will shatter your spine and crush your spirit/ No matter what you still window-shop for lyrics." Fellow Wu-Tang founder RZA's sparse production on the track makes it the album's best, with digital chimes and an electric xylophone slinking above a minimal drum-clap.

Continuing the trend of earlier allegorically themed "Fame" (a celeb morality fable) and "Animal Planet" (the street as a jungle),"O% Finance" riffs off of cars with charged metaphors that will keep mental wheels "spinning like dark Bacardi." "Choco" Reynoso's chugging Krautrock pulse provides the perfect backdrop for the driven verses.

A number of songs like "Path of Destruction" illustrate the struggle of the streets. "Short Race" unfurls like a season of "The Wire" with GZA detailing scenes that involve hidden track marks, juveniles facing life, ducked court dates and cribs sold for bail.

On "Alphabets," hip-hop's true master of letters aptly summarizes the simplicity behind this rap game when the mike is in the right hands: "All I need is a beat with a continuous loop." The Genius will take care of the rest.

Check out this track: "Paper Plate," where GZA aims lyrical darts at G-Unit honcho/Vitamin Water mogul 50 Cent.