Reviews of new releases from GZA/genius and Los Lobos.   GZA/genius Beneath The Surface (MCA) Of related interest: Rakim, KRS-One, Wu-Tang Clan GZA/genius Roseland Theater 8 NW 6th Ave., 224-8499 9 pm Friday, Aug. 27 $19-21 The 16th verse of chapter 2 in the Book of Revelations best describes the GZA's steelo: "Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth." The Genius is the nucleus from which the Wu-Tang Clan's ruckus sprang, the man responsible for blessing his brethren with supreme rhyme skills. He embodies the true definition of an MC, mowing down suckas with murderous darts spit from his mouth. In fact, the GZA's whole catalog of lyrics, from "Clan in da Front" to "Older God" leaves wack rappers woozy from the rhymes knock-knocking upside the head like speedy combinations from Roy Jones Jr. Beneath The Surface confronts all of the hot, hedonistic stars dominating the airwaves with the truth. From the ill artwork to the placement of the tracks to the selection of beats, Beneath The Surface does much to push Wu-Tang back to the front of headz' minds. The skits expand your mind, cluing in the public to police departments' increased harassment of black males and stats on handguns taking our children's lives. The music is off the chain, with deep bass beats furiously fluttering woofers. The RZA only produces one track, "1112", making way for Allah Mathematics and Arabian Knight to do their thing on the majority of the joint. Inspectah Deck's ethereal "Beneath The Surface" introduces a serious departure from the gritty Wu-Tang sound and John the Baptist's "Crash Your Crew" bangs away as Ol' Dirty Bastard chants the hook relentlessly. The GZA's severe lyrical assault, pushed along by enlightened guests, will have your head open, ready to receive the wisdom he's imparting through the mic. Beneath The Surface will be placed in the same category as Public Enemy's It Takes A Nation Of Millions... and Ice Cube's Amerikkka's Most Wanted, classic hip-hop albums that maintain their power years after their initial release. H.V. Claytor Jr.   Los Lobos This Time (Hollywood Records) Of related interest: Latin Playboys, Ritchie Valens, Houndog Los Lobos Aladdin Theater 3017 SE Milwaukie Ave., 233-1994 7 pm Thursday, Aug. 26 $23.50 advance, $25 door Los Lobos' latest could easily have been called "Entre la espada y la pared"--roughly, between a rock and a hard place. For a decade, this popular quintet combined '50s rock sensibility and traditional Spanish and Mexican music to make a sound all their own, or at least one they share only with Ritchie Valens. 1992's Kiko began a more experimental phase, pleasing critics but alienating much of Lobos' core audience. So members David Hidalgo and Louie Pérez channeled these impulses into a side project called Latin Playboys and looked to recapture Los Lobos' past success. Seven years and three albums later, it's hard to tell where the band's heart truly lies. This Time lacks the backyard-barbecue groove of early works like The Neighborhood and How Will the Wolf Survive?, and its sense of invention pales in comparison to the masterful Kiko or even the two Latin Playboys albums. That said, This Time is still a sonically exquisite album that resonates with layers of eclectic instruments and sounds. Even as the popularity of Latino music reaches fever pitch post-Ricky Martin, Los Lobos shine through as some of the most talented of the wolf pack. But ultimately, they must either embrace discovery or rock like it's 1984. If not, Los Lobos really will be--as their greatest-hits collection is titled--just another band from East L.A. Brian Libby - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Willamette Week | originally published August 25, 1999