ALBUM REVIEWS : *** 1/2 The Genius, “The Genius,” Geffen.

Like a hip-hop M.C. Escher, this Wu-Tang Clan member serves up urban tales that reveal layer after layer of thought with repeated listening. The head-banging “Gold,” the hypnotic “4th Chamber” and the ice-smooth “Shadowboxing” add to the evidence that the Wu-Tang Clan are the kings of New York rap.

Albums are rated on a scale of one star (poor) to four stars (excellent).