Take about an indentity crisis

RZA as Bobby Digital

Digi Snacks (Koch)

ESSENTIAL "Drama"

RZA, the Wu Tang Clan's great producer and MC, brings his third chapter in the saga of Bobby Digital, and it's a fragmented, often compelling set. Yet you can't help but wish that Bobby - part superhero, part hustler, part RZA - would come into more focus. RZA still seems to be piecing things together without a coherent vision in place. Unlike the earlier Digital releases, the verse here is less abstract and dense, but the thread tying Bobby's story together remains elusive. Longtime Wu fans will be put off by the production as RZA is clearly branching out as he did on the Clan's "8 Diagrams," offering more pop-oriented choruses, Eastern influences, and live instrumentation (guitarist John Frusciante appears on "Up Again"). There are some crisp moments including the bluesy lament "Drama" and "You Can't Stop Me Now," about as accessible as RZA will ever get. But he farms out too many verses to other MCs throughout, and none match his lean, authoritative rhymes. Oddly, David Banner produces a pedestrian track, "Straight Up the Block." RZA needs to harness his great talents and instead of serving up these snacks, deliver a satisfying meal. [Ken Capobianco]