After releasing their vastly under-rated debut, The Self Science, last year, DJ Khalil and Chace Infinite managed to turn some heads outside of the sunny California state they reside in.  Now in ’02, they return with a “comprehensive collection of B-sides and Rare 12 inches”, The Works, which digs up some of the archives from their five years of existence.  Yet, with this B-Boy document Self Scientific shine more light on their crew (Lao Fai & Krondon) then themselves; though Khalil produces all of the material, Chace Infinite is a mere spectator as he appears on a scarce eight tracks. 

The Works opens with a new entry, “One”, a simple yet melodic track that captures Khalil’s understated brilliance as he affixes a warm piano sample underneath the boom bap of his signature drums.    The LP’s two other unreleased tracks, “My Word” f/ Chace and Lao Fai and Blitzkrieg Militia’s “Subterranean” fail to leave the same indelible mark of previous endeavors.

Unfortunately, some of the inclusions here should have remained in the vaults. One of those misplaced tracks, “Pop Shit”, featuring Kombo MC and Unspoken Heard, is a bouncy track you would expect to hear one of NY’s jiggy DJ’s testing out rather then appearing on an underground compilation of this variety.

The Works plays out like an effort to jump start a buzz for Self Scientifics’ forthcoming LP Change.  However, because of Chace Infinite’s spectator status, it manages to further highlight the fact that most of the buzz regarding the group lays primarily on DJ Khalil, who is quickly establishing himself as one of hip-hop’s top upcoming beatsmiths (evidenced by his recent work with Ras Kass, Keith Murray, and the rumored scouting of Dr. Dre).  So, minus three unreleased tracks and a few hard to find 12″ treats, there is nothing here that any avid Self Scientific fan has not already tracked down.  For those who maybe unfamiliar with Self Scientific, The Works is an adequate introduction, but if you want a more purposeful one peep the debut…