Alan The Chemist, better known as the Alchemist, is a veteran boom-bap producer who has been able to adapt his sound to include newer influences and sensibilities while still keeping the classic essence. He was behind the boards on ScHoolboy Q’s Oxymoron standout “Hoover Street,” and today he dropped what was to be the original version of that song as the first single from his ALC Records Craft Singles limited 45 series. The Craft Singles version is stretched to just under seven minutes with a slightly slower pace and elongated intro. Alchemist flips a slick, soulful guitar line in the intro with Schoolboy Q spitting a long verse that was not on the album version. At the 1:49 mark it becomes more recognizable as he flips the same bass guitar sample, but the menacing, deep horns are stripped for a more raw funk feel. Groovy Q goes in spitting seamlessly endless bars, repurposing the hook and pre-chorus from the album cut. The original has a lot more soul than the version that made the album, but there is less knock and weird ambient sounds. Both are dope, it comes down to a matter of taste. Check it out below.

The “Hoover Street (Original Version)” is out 3/11 as the kickoff to ALC Records’ Craft Singles series. Pre-order is available on 45 and digital.