Customer Reviews

Virtuosity

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I'm sure Chops has the sticker on the front of the album with the qoute from DJ Premier just so we know Preemo approves- otherwise I'd just think he was a second rate preemo ripoff. As it stands, this is a very solid album, and I particularly like the interludes. No skits is a plus too. I was looking forward to "Comin from the Lower level" and it doesn't disappoint- Kweli steals the show. I don't usually care for Bahamadia but "B-girl session" is probably my second favorite song. Overall I am pleased with the purchase and look forward to hearing more from Chops. Pardon me for being ignorant though, but who is he? I had not heard of him until I saw this release coming out and saw that Planet Asia, Raekwon, Kweli, Rass Kass and others would be on it. I bought it based on that, but I have little knowledge of exactly who Chops is.

I bought this album after I heard the song with Raekwon on the radio. The album is off the hook. It's one of the best rap albums I have bought in YEARS. Chops is one of the sickest prodcuers out there and Raekwon, Kanye West, Talib Kweli and Phil the Agony all came with their A GAME. I think Virtuosity is the best album this year and Chops is now my favortie producer. The RZA is right, "Chops is one of the illest up and coming producers in the game"!!!

If you haven't heard of him, you will soon! Chops comes with virtually SAMPLE-FREE producing unique to the game. There are other producers out there that come to the table with their own beats, however when you listen to Chops, you instantly hear how much more his beats musically elevate over the rest of the masses-NO JOKE. The Butcher is not weak at all. He's getting mad respect in the underground game and it's only a matter of time before he rises to DR Premier/Swizz Beats-like notoriety.

This album was produced with a breath of fresh air. Hot beats, hot underground hip-hop acts, and a splash of some platinum lyricists. All in all, YOU WILL BE IMPRESSED! This is one of the best hip hop albums in the past year.

Chops' debut album is indeed a display of virtuosity. He demonstrates the ability to craft beats for both underground (Ras Kass, Bahamadia, and his old cohorts The Mountain Brothers) and mainstream (Kanye West, Raekwon, Talib Kweli) MC's, yet maintain an individual sound (very musical, sample-free production that's heavy on arpeggios).

Chops seems anxious to establish his skills, as the album has nine musical interludes that act as prefaces to songs. The interludes show off Chops', well, chops - faux classical? Soundtrack melodrama? Jazz noir? Chops does it all with ease. The interludes are tasty and short, yet kill the momentum between songs (at least they aren't skits!). Minus the interludes, the album becomes a formidable succession of bangers.

I bought this album the other day w/o having a clue of what it was like. The comments on the sticker from DJ primo and others made me figure it couldn't be that bad, plus all the cameos, so I bought it w/o ever hearing of Chops or anything. But once I put the album in, I knew i made a good selection. The beats are all so tight and the flows are solid, even if you don't really care to listen to the words the musical layering w/ the vocals will keep your head bobbing whether you want it too or not. Don't burn it b/c new artists this hot need to be supported.

This is one of the best hip hop cd's ever produced.
Chops spins this cd into a new dimension.
A must have, If you want the best in life

This has got to be one of the most slept on hip-hop albums. You've got to be kidding me that no one else has reviewed this album. I stumbled across this about 4 years ago and it continues to be on heavy rotation on my iPod.

First off, the production is on a different level. I got the same feeling from these tracks as I did the first time I heard productions from Timbaland and DJ Quik. Chops stamps these songs with his distinctive style but doesn't overwhelm the guest MCs who absolutely shine. You can't listen to Raekwon on "What's f----- with us" and tell me that's not on par with the best stuff he's ever done. When someone on the level of Kanye West is on one of the (barely) weaker tracks, that should tell you that this album has reached a higher plane.

List of favorites? I can't do it because the album is uniformly great. I kid you not. Please get this and give Chops his due.

I've only just heard this joint (March '07) and wished somebody had given me a heads up when it first dropped.

Yeah, five out of five. Chops is a class act and there is not one wak vocalist on the compilation.

The main reason I picked it up was for the Mountain Brothers track, being a big fan of 'em, which should give you an idea of my preferences for hip hop. Underground, smooth and melodic. This album, I believe, sways to a mainstream sound, predominately cause it sounds so slick. Orchestrated beats, nothing overly simple (not that there's anything wrong with that. some of my best friends are overly simple), but still head nodding.

This producer has talent.

All the vocals are top notch, obviously I have preferences, but I won't bother hanging them on you. Check it for yourself.

Chops is a member of the underground group "Mountain Brothers". Comprised of 3 Chinese-American hip hop heads from the east coast. Check out their albums...

One of my favorite cd's. Great collaborations with both mainstream and underground artists.