Master Craftsman. A term not taken lightly or thrown around in everyday use but one that's applicable when the topic of discussion is Chops. Straight from 38th and Lancaster in West Illadelph, this local brother has taken the world by storm, individually as a much sought after producer and lyricist too collectively as a member of the equally heralded Mountain Brothers.

With Food For Naught (The Instrumental Album), Chops put to rest any questions of his status in the game. This Mountain Brother has literally ascended to the top of the Hip Hop mountain and taken his rightful seat among such luminaries as Jazzy Jeff, King Britt, Dr. Dre, Pete Rock and DJ Premiere. Making the assertion the he deserves to be mentioned in the same breath as these other brothers is a bold statement indeed, but one applicable to such an amazing talent. The album is equally amazing and begins with the instant classic Yallaintready. In addition to the jazzed out fluidity of this powerful track, Chops dashes behind the mic to warn that "it's no question my sh!t is something exceptional, Chops the Chinese boy with goatee and spectacles, audiences lookin' at me like it's unacceptable but after the festival heads be all up on the testical…" Not to be overshadowed are the strong vocal contributions off Powelton Sauders effortlessly delivered on the hook.

Evidently, I'm totally immersed in and awed by this project. I'm confident y'all will feel the same way after purchasing a copy for yourself. As advertised, the greater chunk of the album is instrumental in nature but there are other tracks blessed with intelligent rhymes. One such song is Smooth Assassin with CMNR manning the mic and DJ Kwestion of the Skratch Makaniks taking care of the zigga ziggas. The song is minimalistic, head nod hittin' and deserving of inclusion onlocal mixtape playlists. While the entire album is scrumptious and delicious, additional standouts include eerily bassed out Drama Lover, the subtle flutes of Blow Out The Candles, the Rootsesque slippery smoothness of Falling Star and the late night candlelit jazz journey of Song For Latonya (Smiling Out Loud).

What more can I say to wrap it up then to reiterate that Food For Naught is great music by a great artist in a great town. That about covers it. And now back to the album...

chopsmusic.com

mountainbrothers.com

daybydayent.com

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Review by Funk Wizard Snow
Editor- PhillyHipHop.com
March, 2003