The Alchemist
Album : 1st Infantry
Release Date : Sept 21, 2004
Label : Koch Records

Customer Review :
Alchemist’s debut album is "1st Infantry" (2004). A lot of people have been looking forward to this album, Alchemist has over the years established himself as one of Rap’s talented producers. Does this live up to the hype ? - Yes and No. Alchemist’s delivers some standout production, but the MC’s that are featured on this don’t always deliver lyrically. The intro briefly showcases some excellent beats Alchemist has delivered in the past. Game and Prodigy rhyme over a repetitive banging beat on the grimey "Dead Bodies" while the Lox make a decent appearance on "The Essence". The single "Hold You Down" feat. Prodigy, Nina Sky & Illa Gee is the first real standout track to me, Prodigy rhymes well and Alchemists beat is sick. Not feeling Stat Quo on "Stop the Show" would of liked to see more of MOP. Next Havoc, Noyd, Jae Hood and Styles hook up for the hardcore "D-Block to QB. Lloyd Banks makes a solid appearance on "Bangers", feeling Alchemists beat, first heard this off a mixtape. One of two Southern Artists on this is Devin the Dude who makes an appearance on "Where can we go", to me the beat seems to strong for the laidback Devin. Over the years Alchemist has laced Mobb Deep with some memorable beats, "It’s A Craze" though is rather average. Alchemist gives Chinky a chance to shine solo on "Strength Of Pain", she delivers some real lyrics and sings well over a distinct beat. Another real standout for me is "Tick Tock", its good to see Nas and Prodigy on a track together again, both rhyme well while Alchemist provides another good beat. Alchemist saves the best for last, my favourite track is "Different Worlds" where Alchemist and Twin rhyme back and forth about coming up from completly different backgrounds. This is the first track where Alchemist stands out as an MC to me, while Twin of Infamous Mobb grabs the listeners attention with his unique flow. My favourite tracks are : "Hold You Down", "Tick Tock" and "Different Worlds". On reflection I feel like Alchemist stayed true to his formula, making music for the streets, and while this one probably be skipped over by most mainstream audiences, underground heads will be feeling it

Featurings :

Prodigy, Styles, Jadakiss, Sheek, Illa Gee, Stat Quo & M.O.P., Jae Hood, Big Noyd, Havoc, Lloyd Banks, Devin the Dude, Dilated Peoples, Chinky, Cypress Hill, Nas, Pimp Squad & T.I. - I hate T.I., Twin Gambino...

Track Listings :

1. Intro
2. Dead Bodies
3. Your Boy Al (Interlude)
4. Essence
5. Hold You Down
6. Industry Rule 4080 (Interlude)
7. Stop the Show
8. D Block to QB
9. Bangers
10. Where Can We Go
11. It’s a Craze
12. For the Record
13. Boost the Crime Rate
14. Strength of Pain
15. Soul Assassins Tale
16. Bang Out
17. Tick Tock
18. Pimp Squad
19. Different Worlds

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No profanity, or inaproppriate remarks.

The Alchemist "1st Infantry", by Wurge [2008-06-01 07:37:18]

In Stop the Show does stat quo make a mistake at around 11 seconds ? It sounds like she starts singing the first line.

The Alchemist "1st Infantry", by Diablo [2004-12-31 21:21:58]

I think that the Alchemist drops his beats as always... Sick, Fresh, on point. I’ve been lookin forward to this for a while. True.. the heads on the album could have dropped somethin a little mo’ propah’ for the sick beats laced through the album.

If there was a way to customize the album, I would have chopped NAS’s flow out of ?Tick Tock ?... By far his worst flow ever. Droppin dumb lines like, ?"Back to the same ol’ sh**, that Tarzan and Jane o sh**, in the jungle swingin on vines"... ? what the !@^$% ?! LOL... Classic. Your Boy AL.... Got that Welcome Back Kotter feel. Definitely a gotta get album.