The Alchemist - The Alchemist's Cookbook EP

Since his first slew of mixtape release's and a classic debut album "1st Infantry" in the early 2K, many Hip-Hop heads have made it a religion waiting anxiously for any new material dropped by the funky whiteboy that hails from affluent and lavish Beverly Hills and is known all the way to the largest housing projects of Queens, NY. The collective Hip-Hop world calls him by his stage name The Alchemist and he's widely considered thee go to guy for most of your favorite hardcore and underground artist's production need's. Whether you're familiar with his work through his inception with Cypress Hill or Dilated Peoples, or his considerable musical efforts with Mobb Deep, one thing is certain; the man's skills are unquestionable and many of us "real" heads make it a habit hunting down everything Al puts out. All awkward attempts at rhyming aside, Alchemist's four mixtapes, two LP's, six 12 inch Vinyl singles and five Instrumental albums have given ample evidence that a truly respectable and much revered career is now in full swing.

As of late speculation and rumors have swirled feverishly about Al's newest project; the compilation LP "Chemical Warfare". Questions like "When is it dropping?" "Who's gonna be on this one?" "How's it gonna sound?" "When is it dropping!?!?" have surfaced relentlessly all over the net and industry. Doing any rabid fan boy proud, I think that gauging by my considerable research into just about every magazine article on the matter, flooding Internet message boards, watching all of his online interviews and good ole' American Myspace checking I would have to say I've come to but only a few solid conclusions about "Chemical Warfare". First, "Chemical Warfare" is coming sometime in 09' (probably 3rd quarter), second, it will feature everyone and they mammy and third, the sound of his production has changed up a lil' bit from what us old Alchemist fans would recall it being. I know, nothing too surprising there right? But elaborate on the production switch up Big D O. Certainly.......As all real Alchemist fans know his primary production weapon of choice through the years has been his trusty ASR-10. His utter mastering of his instrument yielded great beats, rich in sinister, airy loops provided by perfectly chopped vinyl records. Now lets step into 2008. Our boy Al has put his ASR keyboard up and bought some new hardware. Not really sure which specific model it is (think it's the 2500) but The Alchemist is now officially an Akai MPC user.

His somewhat puzzling move to mess with a good thing has yielded both good and bad results so far, but let's pause on that subject for a minute and talk about this new EP I'm droppin on y'all for a second; "The Alchemist's Cookbook". Look, you guys aren't stupid, so I'm not gonna try to sell you on how "great" this is. If your a real Alchemist fan you've already heard 99% of the content and if not, well, there's only 6 joints on here man, that's kinda short even for an EP. It's simply a tool I think Al is using to read his fans' reaction. Reaction to what you ask? The new sound children, the new sound. Digressing back to my last point before I jumped off topic, the sound contained on "The Alchemist's Cookbook" is a bit more experimental compared to prior releases. I chalk this up to him perhaps still familiarizing himself with his new MPC, or just maybe that he is trying to move away from the older stuff he's done and make that "transformation" so many of our favorite producer's routinely do.

You'll have just about as many reasons to cheer for Al's new approach on this EP as you will reasons to loathe it. There's the entrancing and tonal goodness of "Key To The City", where Al seamlessly delves back into the world of sample chopping as well as manipulating and placing the limited vocal presence of the latina duo of Nina Sky perfectly. Then there's "Follow The Dollar". An overly repetitive display into Al's considerable keyboard prowess but unfortunatlely only serves as a backdrop to more unrefutable proof that both Capone and Nore's lyricism and chemistry have taken permanant nose dives. Along with the terribly synthetic "Al Capone Zone", "Follow The Dollar" proved to be the most disappointing and least inspired track on the EP. "Lose Your Life" is more true to Al's form and I'm sure it's what everyone will be hoping the formula for "Chemical Warfare" turns out to be. That formula being: Three ill emcees killin their verses, plus an insanely simple yet effective hook, plus a chilling beat that gets your head nodding, equalling a more than worthy output. Even Though many will try and convince you "Lose Your Life" is the first place prize on this EP, truthfully it's the track "Therapy" that features Al's best boy Evidence, west coast underground sensation Blu and the Mohawk-sporting, Cleveland hipster, Kid Cudi that I would say was the illest new offering that Al camethrough with this time around. An inspired and soulful electric guitar sample lifts you outta your seat, while all three emcees keep the break neck pace, rhyming about realness, venting and getting their thereputic results. A magnificent breakdown section is also a noted addition to a strong, strong track.

If you miss this I wouldn't worry, Al has already confirmed that most if not all of these joints will be featured on the upcoming "Chemical Warfare". You can choose to prepare yourself via preview though, which is always a smart move. I think that "The Alchemist's Cookbook" is enjoyable, but there should have been more music on it that reflected the quality of "Key To The City", "Lose Your Life" and "Therapy". Not to say that the other 3 joints on here were awful, but there was a marked difference. I wouldn't get in a panic over this projects shortcomings at all though....Alchemist has been known to let certain projects slide while he focuses more intently on the "big picture", in this case that would be the mixing of dangerous musical chemicals for release winter/spring.

-BIG D O





01. (00:03:06) Key to the City (ft. Nina Sky & Prodigy)
02. (00:04:02) Lose Your Life (ft. Jadakiss, Snoop Dogg & Pusha T)
03. (00:03:05) Follow the Dollar (ft. Capone-N-Noreaga)
04. (00:06:43) Calmly Smoke (ft. Styles P & Evidence)
05. (00:02:31) Therapy (ft. Evidence, Blu & Kid Cudi)
06. (00:03:08) Al Capone Zone (ft. Keak Da Sneak & Prodigy)

http://www.mediafire.com/?4imznmm1cyn