For better or for worse, in this day and age, nothing goes unheard. Via mixtapes, bootlegs, and independent compilations such as this one, the fans get to hear just about everything our favorite artists do. So, during the off season, in between his 2004 album release, First Infantry, and his next album, Alchemist lets us get a peek at a bunch of stuff that he’s done with other artists over the past year or so, with The Chemistry Files. 

     This “mixtape” of previously released tracks and exclusives finds Al teaming up with many of his closest pals in the industry, from the usual QB cohorts (Mobb Deep, AZ, Poet) to the Shady Records roster (Obie Trice, Bobby Creek, Tony Yayo), and everyone else in between. Some of the most interesting moments on here come from when he braves picking up the mic himself, such as on the intro track, “Reppin’ ALC” and later on “That’s That”. The usual chemistry between himself and Mobb Deep is woven on solo songs like “What’s Poppin Thun” (feat. Prodigy) and “Fall Back” (feat. Havoc), however the lame “Poppin’ Bottles” and the lazy Wild Style jacking “The Infamous” both could have been left off. 

     Many of the newer artists appearing on the disc get the brightest shine, perhaps due to the hunger of being a new artist lucky enough to work with a big name producer like Al.  Case in point is “G-Type”, which features Scarface’s new crew, The Product, who make their mentor proud with show stealing verses. Shady Records upstart Bobby Creekwater trades his usual crunk style for a darker east coast sound, while Al interpolates a brilliant James Brown vocal sample (“Bobby?”). Mobb Deep protege 40 Glocc surprises on “When Your Dying”, using his commanding presence to animate vivid drug tales, with Prodigy in tow. And Obie Trice comes with perhaps the best verse on the CD on “I’m Back”, offering a preview of what’s to come from his forthcoming second round. 

      Nevertheless, while this CD has a few standout moments, it is littered with filler, and stuff that probably should have been left in the archives. Cam’ron’s gimmicky “Wet Wipes” is a painful excursion featuring the Dipset general trying his hardest to come with it, but sounding corny as usual. B-Real sounds painfully uninspired on “Body Something”, while Al is caught lazy on both “The Infamous” and “We Got This”, reusing tired old beats we’ve heard too many times elsewhere. We’ve seen what Alchemist is capable of throughout his career, and it’s safe to say that there isn’t really a song on here that can compete with any of his greatest works of art (“Keep It Thoro”, “I’m The King”, “We Gonna Make It”, just to name a few).

     But, that’s not what this CD is about. Surely Al’s best works aren’t going to be stuck in the archives or reduced to a mixtape release only. This is merely a treat for the die-hard fans of the producer, which lets them get a taste of the stuff we weren’t really supposed to hear. Hopefully when it’s time to release that second official full-length, it will be overflowing with classic tracks.