Chemical Warfare

ハードなビートとグリッティーなイーストコースト・フレイヴァー・リズムが特徴的な超売れっ子プロデューサー、The Alchemist。Linkin Park, Eminem, Snoop Dogg, Nasなどのプロデュース・ワークでも知られる彼の、ソロ・デビュー・アルバム「1st Infantory」に続くセカンド・スタジオ・アルバム。

Pitchfork (Website) - "[I]t's exceptionally well-crafted....What makes this record work is Alchemist's balanced blend of creativity, craft, and atmosphere..." XXL (Magazine Publisher) (p.92) - "Juve steals the show with a fast-paced flow, while Juicy J chooses his usual stop-and-go rhyme pattern on the standout track."

Previewed heavily on the producer's 2008 EP, The Cookbook, Alchemist's often-delayed album, Chemical Warfare, matches his 2004 release, 1st Infantry, when it comes to both quality control and riveting beats, but fans expecting nothing but that hardcore punch may be alienated by a handful of surprisingly mainstream numbers. With guest singer Maxwell in full neo-soul mode, "Smile" is the sunshine bright high point of the crossover tracks, with the club-aimed Three 6 Mafia and Juvenile feature "That'll Work" running a close second. On the flipside there's the underground sound of Gangrene -- Alchemist's project with Oh No -- along with the hypnotic backpacker cut "Therapy," which returns from The Cookbook EP, but improved with an added verse from Talib Kweli. Kicking off the Lady of Rage comeback with the great Dogg Pound team-up "On Sight" displays the kind of throwback smarts that have earned the producer respect from the hip-hop faithful. Temper that with the absolutely filthy, very funny, and very short title track with Eminem, and the album offers the full Alchemist picture. He's confident enough to be sacrilegious yet smart enough to offer substance, and while not every returning Dilated Peoples or Mobb Deep fan will be able to hang with his more mature side, Chemical Warfare keeps this capo's reputation in tact. Recommended for aspiring dons and more open-minded thugs. ~ David Jeffries

メインストリームからLA地下シーンまで、多方面で職人的な仕事を手掛けるアルケミスト。この2作目もそういった人脈図を曲で解説したような感じで、エミネムやKRS・ワン、クールG・ラップ、マックスウェル&トゥイスタ、スリー6マフィア&ジュヴィナイル、ブルー&キッド・カディ、ドッグ・パウンド&レディ・オブ・レイジ（!）らがダークな匠のビートに重々しく馴染む。コラボ作を制作中だというオー・ノーとの共演も良い。
bounce (C)出嶌孝次