Fade
The Beat Strangler
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illest o.g.
FOR THE LAST FIVE YEARS, Alan Maman has walked the thin line between underground acceptance and mainstream success like no one else before. After making the jump from the scene of the west coast to the big city life of New York, Alchemist has been on a musical grind and has planted his flag in the hip hop game since being introduced as The Alchemist by Mobb Deep on 1999's Murda Muzik. Alchemist raises his flag with the release of 1st Infantry, his first solo album after banging out hits for the likes of Mobb Deep, Jadakiss, CNN and Nas. With the attention of radio listeners and backpackers alike, Alchemist hopes to expand his fan base while showing that he can hold a down an entire album for self.
1st Infantry comes off as an overall dope album. While this could have been an impressive release completely made up of familiar connections, Alchemist chooses to venture out and flexes his Hip-Hop rolodex, enlisting T.I., M.O.P., Game, Stat Quo, Lloyd Banks, Nina Sky and Devin the Dude amongst the familiar names and voices of the LOX, Dilated Peoples, Nas, Mobb Deep and their affiliates (Chinky, Infamous Mobb, Big Noyd) who make their almost obligatory appearances. Alchemist even ventures back to his Soul Assassin roots with an appearance by Cypress Hill's B-Real. The album opens with an intense reminder of the hits previously banged out by Al, and flows from start to end with a little something for everybody. Alchemist gets gangster on "Dead Bodies" which features Game (for those who believe him) and Prodigy trading their street tirades. Stat Quo and M.O.P. bring the action on "Stop The Show". Here, the fresh Aftermath signee is paired with the Brownsville veterans but, listeners may be left wondering what Dr. Dre sees in this kid. However The Mash out Posse doesn't disappoint and even request a Smif-n-Wessun release, blaming the weak state of Hip-Hop on its material focus. Alchemist gets instrumental and even lyrical along Big Twin (of Infamous Mobb fame) on "Different Worlds" a revamped classic for the Alc followers.
The cons of this album come in the forms of J-Hood and R&B artist and Mobb affiliate, Chinky. J-Hood is almost unbearable, he doesn't bring anything to "D Block To QB" and he and Sheek don't make "Boost The Crime Rate" a great song to listen to either. Chinky, featured on "Strength Of Pain" has paid her dues on previous Mobb Deep joints, but her attempt to show her strength as a solo artist isn't met with much enthusiasm. Alchemist, new to R&B also could have done a better job on a beat that may have possibly been flipped with a better result.
Even with its minor faults, 1st Infantry bangs and is worth picking up. The Alchemist has remained consistent over the years and has developed a unique sound amongst a sea of sampling producers, which is something only a few others have managed to do. 1st Infantry is only a scratch of the surface for someone with an already impressive track record and a bright future in Hip-Hop.
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