43 track Deluxe Edition of The Return to the 36 Chambers: The Dirty Version available March 27th
Ol’ Dirty Bastard made his solo debut 25 years ago with the Grammy-nominated album, Return To The 36 Chambers: The Dirty Version. An instant hip hop classic, it peaked at No. 2 on the R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and crossed over to reach No. 7 on the Billboard 200. The album quickly earned gold-certification and would introduce fans to two of ODB’s biggest hits: “Brooklyn Zoo” and “Shimmy Shimmy Ya.”
In celebration of its 25th anniversary, the album has now been certified platinum by the RIAA and will be celebrated with two new special editions from Rhino.
The first represents one of the most-expansive hip-hop reissues in history, The Return to the 36 Chambers: The Dirty Version (25th Anniversary Digital Deluxe Edition). This digital-exclusive will be available for streaming and download on March 27th, a day before the album’s original release date in 1995.
This 43 track reissue features a newly remastered version of the original album along with music from the era that has never been available digitally, including EP tracks, rare instrumentals and promo-only releases. Among the highlights are the digital debuts of “Ol’ Dirty’s Back,” “Don’t You Know, Part II,” and the “Brooklyn Zoo” b-side, “Give It To Ya Raw” (SD50 Remix).
The 25th Anniversary Digital Deluxe Edition also features the debut of two previously unreleased tracks: “Brooklyn Zoo (Stripped Version)” and “Shimmy Shimmy Ya (Stripped Version).” Both songs have been stripped back to their essentials musically, which puts the focus on the lyrics and highlight how great a storyteller ODB was. “Brooklyn Zoo (Stripped Version)” is available now on digital download and streaming services.
A second anniversary collection will be released for Record Store Day in June. The Return to the 36 Chambers: The Dirty Version (25th Anniversary Edition) is a vinyl boxed set that features all 17 songs from the original album on nine 7-inch singles pressed on blue, yellow, and white vinyl. Limited to 3,000 individually numbered copies, the set will be available for around $90.
ODB was a founding member of the influential hip-hop group Wu-Tang Clan. Their 1993 debut, Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers), is widely considered to be one of the greatest hip hop albums ever made.
ODB released Return To The 36 Chambers: The Dirty Version two years after Wu-Tang Clan’s debut. Several members from the group made special appearances on ODB’s album, including RZA, Raekwon, Method Man, Masta Killa, and Ghostface Killah. RZA produced most of the album, with additional production from ODB, True Master, and 4th Disciple.
“Ol’ Dirty Bastard is a real-life legend. We at the Estate are honored and excited to celebrate ODB’s 25th anniversary of his solo career. He was such a talented musician, and a larger-than-life icon who has inspired music fans across the globe,” states Nicole Beckett, Creative Director at Four Screens Management, Estate of ODB. His lasting influence has had a profound influence on both music and hip hop culture. We are thrilled to be working with Rhino to further his legacy.”
“My children and I are beyond excited to be celebrating the 25th anniversary of my late husband’s album, Return to the 36 Chambers: The Dirty Version,” shares Icelene Jones, Administrator of the Estate of Ol’ Dirty Bastard. “We are even more excited and appreciative of the fans, who have never wavered in their support for ODB, and have honored his talent with a platinum album this year!”
The Return to the 36 Chambers: The Dirty Version (25th Anniversary Digital Deluxe Edition)
1. Intro
2. Shimmy Shimmy Ya
3. Baby C’Mon
4. Brooklyn Zoo
5. Hippa To Da Hoppa
6. Raw Hide (featuring Raekwon & Method Man)
7. Damage (featuring GZA)
8. Don’t U Know (featuring Killah Priest)
9. The Stomp
10. Goin’ Down
11. Drunk Game (Sweet Sugar Pie)
12. Snakes (featuring Killah Priest, RZA, Masta Killa & Buddha Monk)
13. Brooklyn Zoo II (Tiger Crane) (featuring Ghostface Killah)
14. Proteck Ya Neck II The Zoo featuring Brooklyn Zu, Prodigal Sunn, Killah Priest, & 60 Second Assassin)
15. Cuttin’ Headz (featuring RZA)
16. Dirty Dancin’ (featuring Method Man)
17. Harlem World
18. Ol’ Dirty’s Back (LP Version)*
19. Shimmy Shimmy Ya (Extended Version)*
20. Don’t You Know, Part II*
21. Give It To Ya Raw (SD50 Remix)*
22. Brooklyn Zoo (Stripped Version)**
23. Shimmy Shimmy Ya (Stripped Version)**
24. Shimmy Shimmy Ya (Instrumental)*
25. Baby C’Mon(Instrumental)*
26. Brooklyn Zoo(Instrumental)*
27. Hippa To Da Hoppa(Instrumental)*
28. Raw Hide(Instrumental)*
29. Damage(Instrumental)*
30. Don’t U Know(Instrumental)*
31. The Stomp(Instrumental)*
32. Goin’ Down (Instrumental)*
33. Drunk Games(Instrumental)*
34. Snakes(Instrumental)*
35. Brooklyn Zoo II(Tiger Crane) (Instrumental)*
36. Proteck Ya Neck II The Zoo(Instrumental)*
37. Dirty Dancin’ (Instrumental)*
38. Harlem World(Instrumental)*
39. Shimmy Shimmy Ya(Extended Instrumental)*
40. Shimmy Shimmy Ya(Studio Ton Remix Instrumental)*
41. Brooklyn Zoo(Lord Digga Remix Instrumental)*
42. Brooklyn Zoo(Lord Digga Remix)*
43. Shimmy Shimmy Ya(Extended Acapella)*
*previously unavailable digitally
**previously unreleased
The Return to the 36 Chambers: The Dirty Version (25th Anniversary Edition) 7” Single Box
Disc 1:
1. Intro
2. Shimmy Shimmy Ya
Disc 2:
1. Baby C’mon
2. Brooklyn Zoo
Disc 3:
1. Hippa To Da Hoppa
2. Raw Hide (featuring Raekwon & Method Man)
Disc 4:
1. Damage (featuring GZA)
2. Don’t U Know (featuring Killah Priest)
Disc 5:
1. The Stomp
2. Goin’ Down
Disc 6:
1. Drunk Game (Sweet Sugar Pie)
2. Snakes (featuring Killah Priest, RZA, Masta Killa & Buddha Monk)
Disc 7:
1. Brooklyn Zoo II (Tiger Crane) Part 1 (featuring Ghostface Killah)
2. Brooklyn Zoo II (Tiger Crane) Part 2
Disc 8:
1. Proteck Ya Neck II the Zoo (featuring Brooklyn Zu, Prodigal Sunn, Killah Priest, & 60 Second Assassin)
2. Cuttin’ Headz (featuring RZA)
Disc 9:
1. Dirty Dancin’ (featuring Method Man)
2. Harlem World