From the churning sea of Wu-Tang affiliates emerges the multitalented Dreddy Kruger, who envisioned a project that would unite the cream of the underground hip-hop crop with their Wu-Tang Clan forefathers, all backed by RZA beats echoing his legendary mid-’90s sound. The product explodes with talent and energy, but falters slightly in the process of experimentation.

RZA’s nostalgic production — helped by Bronze Nazareth, Allah Mathematics, DJ Noize, and Preservation — is thumping and soul-drenched (though rinsed of its grittiness). GZA and Ras Kass share a mic for the unbeatable “Lyrical Swords,” followed by outstanding performances from Vast Aire, MF Doom, Casual and Tragedy Khadafi, among others.

But with such an array of contributors, a few misses are inevitable. Most notably, Del Tha Funkee Homosapien hits rock bottom with his pathetic excuse for a solo on “Fragments,” and white she-rapper Byata grasps desperately for some street cred, failing miserably. Such flops suggest that Kruger dug a little too deep, accentuating the absence of Clan authorities like Ghostface and Masta Killa. However, any weak links in the lyrical chain are compensated for by solid, uplifting production and an abundance of raw, quality material — when Wu-Tang Meets the Indie Culture, there’s barely a dull moment to be had.