Search - The Alchemist :: 1st Infantry

Alchemist- 1st Infantry

Constant | Vancouver, BC Canada | 09/23/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"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."

The Alchemist definitely "Holds You Down" with this release

J. Highsmith | Mitchellville, Maryland United States | 09/28/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Whenever you hear about The Alchemist the first thing that you think about is a tight beat or a nice track. He is best known for the track that he originally gave to Ras Kass entitled "Home Sweet Home" that later came to be known as Jadakiss' "We Gonna Make It". He is also known for working with Mobb Deep and providing tracks for other artists like Dilated Peoples and Snoop & The Eastsidaz. When I first heard that The Alchemist was going to release a CD of his own, I became interested because I knew that the compilation of songs would have tight beats on them.



"1st Infantry" will definitely remind you of a mixtape when you first hear the CD. The only difference is that all of the songs are produced by The Alchemist. When DJ Whoo Kid, Kay Slay, Big Mike or DJ Clue come out with something there is a combination of exclusive songs with popular artists but none of these DJs can say that they create a mixtape of songs that are actually produced by themselves. The 1st single is "Hold You Down" which features The Alchemist on the mic, Prodigy, Nina Sky and Illa Ghee. The song is definitely on point and I never knew that Alchemist even rapped. However, the song was a nice pick for the first single and Nina Sky does well on the chorus. Alchemist definitely has some potential "mixtape bangers" on this CD. "Dead Bodies" featuring Game of G Unit and Prodigy of Mobb Deep is just "off the hook". Prodigy is starting to get his old swagger back as he does on "Amerikaz Nightmare" and Game is just creating even more anticipation for his solo CD that is expected to come out by the end of the year. "The Essence" has The LOX bringing us some of the "We Are The Streets" heat and Jadakiss, Styles P, and Sheek Louch take advantage of the Alchemist track by providing tight lyrics. "D Block To QB" features Havoc of Mobb Deep, Big Noyd, Styles P and Jae Hood. The Alchemist has cooked up another banger with this track as well. All of the tracks are produced to top notch by The Alchemist and the rappers give top notch performances as well. Lloyd Banks shows up on "Bangers" and continues on his braggodocio ways just as he did on "The Hunger For More". This could have easily been on Lloyd Banks' CD. "It's A Craze" features Mobb Deep and I am sure that this track has reached mixtapes already. Mobb Deep shows why they weren't "Free Agents" for long. The Alchemist blazes Mobb Deep with this track just like he did on "Got It Twisted" and "Win Or Lose" on "Amerikaz Nightmare". "Boost The Crime Rate" fetaures Sheek Louch and Jae Hood. This demonstrates why there needs to be a D-Block compilation CD or another LOX CD as soon as all of the members release their solo CDs. "Tick Tock" features Nas & Prodigy, which seems kind of odd but they must have patched things up amognst each other. Mobb Deep & Nas haven't been the best of friends lately. Alchemist gives them a track with an old school feel to it and both rappers give quality performances. Dilated Peoples state what they think "For The Record" and this track could have easily been on their slept on "Neighborhood Watch" CD.



Alchemist also works with some folks that you wouldn't expect him to. One of my favorite Down South rappers, Devin The Dude shows up on "Where Can We Go" and makes one of his trademark songs. This song should have been on Devin's latest CD, "To The X-Treme". Although that CD isn't as good as his first two, "The Dude" and "Just Trying To Live", his latest CD should still be in your collection if you follow the Down South muisc scene. TI and PSC show up on "Pimp Squad" as TI is at his best and is still talking junk as he is stating that he is better than Shyne. I am not sure about that but the track is still tight as The PSC hold their own against the self proclaimed "King Of The South".



The only negative thing that I can say about this CD is that there are too may interludes on this CD inbetween the tracks. By the end of the CD you will definitely be tired of the "Our Boy AL" skit. Overall, "Ist Infantry" should let people know that The Alchemist definitely has production skills. He raps on only two songs, the single, "Hold You Down" and on the last track "Two Different Worlds" with Twin. If you are into the mixtape scene and tracks by The Alchemist in general, then you should add this CD to your collection.



James' Top 5



1) Dead Bodies w/The Game from G Unit & Prodigy of Mobb Deep

2) It's A Craze w/Mobb Deep

3) The Essence w/The LOX

4) Where Can We Go w/Devin The Dude

5) Hold You Down w/Prodigy, Nina Sky & Illa Ghee



"

Money Well Spent

Tha Undaground King | Richmond, VA | 01/09/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The Alchemist is well known on the underground scene, but wasn't well known by the average Joe 'til this album came out. The only single off the album, "Hold You Down" with Prodigy of Mobb Deep did decent. This opened up people to the ALC. This album is a good example of why folks should've paid respect to The Alchemist much earlier. Of course, the album has it's flaws though. There are a number of artists that appear on the album, but a lot of them just get repetitive. I like Prodigy and Sheek Louch's music, but I felt like there was no need to put them on more than one track, considering it was a mixtape of sorts. I also felt like there could've been some different styles of production. However, this album is still great. I enjoyed what the artists brought to the album, and 'Our boy Al' did a good job on production. You won't be dissappointed with spending your money on this album. Best tracks are:

1)"The Essence"-The LOX

2 "Tick Tock"-NaS, and Prodigy

3 "Bangers"-Lloyd Banks"