The Alchemist is one of L.A.’s pre-eminent beatmakers – a reliable go-tos for itinerant rap cats and MCs without a beat.

He’s already made an appearance around these parts this week with ‘Elimination Chamber’, the splendid crew cut from Domo Genesis, Action Bronson et al. His delightful new album, Russian Roulette, has now been made available to stream in its entirety.

Russian Roulette is something of a misleading handle: shocks are far and few between, and the general tone is dreamy rather than tense. Which isn’t, of course, to say that The Alchemist is a lightweight: the majority of these tracks (the closing seven-part Kosmos suite in particular) have a space-age sheen and a technicolour sensibility that can’t help but charm. It comes down to the likes of Danny Brown, Action Bronson and Mr Muthafuckin’ eXquire to inject a bit of rawness, and they all clock up impressive verses. ScHoolboy Q, Evidence and Roc Marciano are also among the extensive cast for the record. Head over to Spin to listen.

Russian Roulette is due on May 21 through Decon Records.

Tracklist
1. Soundcheck
2. Apollo’s Last Stand feat Ag Da Coroner
3. Crushed Kremlin feat Mayhem Lauren
4. Decisions Over Veal Orloff feat Action Bronson
5. Learned by Listening
6. Training Montage – Getting Stronger
7. Ivan’s Workout Plan
8. Never Grow Up feat Evidence
9. The Turning Point feat Roc Marciano
10. Live From Dynamo Stadium 2
11. Don Seymour’s Theme feat Midaz
12. Before The Fight Prelude
13. Adrian’s Words – Champion Song
14. Flight Of The Bumblebee
15. Kalashnekov Guns feat Guilty Simpson
16. Fight Confirmation feat Danny Brown and ScHoolboy Q
17. Press Conference Prelude
18. Freakish Strength
19. Junkyard Fight Scene feat DRDC
20. Oleg’s Flight feat Fashawn
21. Moscow Mornings – Sunrise
22. Moscow Evenings – Sunset
23. The Kosmos Pt 1 – Liftoff feat Chuuwee
24. The Kosmos Pt 2 – Power Glove feat Boldy James
25. The Kosmos Pt 3 – In Orbit
26. The Kosmos Pt 4 – Moon Probe feat Big Twinz
27. The Kosmos Pt 5 – 1st Contact – The Chase
28. The Kosmos Pt 6 – Life On Another Planet feat Willie The Kid Master
29. The Kosmos Pt 7 – The Explanation feat Mr. Muthafuckin’ eXquire
30. The Kosmos Pt 8 – Return To Earth Outro Master

Latest

Latest



		
	
Share Tweet