Disco de The Herbaliser: “Blow Your Headphones”

I've finally figured these guys out. I copped "Blow your Headphones" first, then "Very Mercanary"-- only when I finally got "Remedies" did I realize that these cats were a hip-hop jazz band, in the PUREST sense. And with their sophmore effort, one can see the obvious growth and sharpening of musical skills that true artists experience with their second album( i.e., The Roots, Common, ATCQ ). More discplined tracks makes for pure listening pleasure; witness the abrupt but timely jump from "Ginger Jumps the Fence" ( puncutated with skidding sounds, no less ) to the laid back, jazzed out "Put it on Tape". Jazzy cuts with a noir feel to it best descibes this group, and they are a bit more lively then, say, DJ Cam's "Mad Blunted Jazz" ( due to, of course, the actual use of live instruments ). Another notable, "Mr. Chombee has the Flaw", almost goes to full-tilt Swing, but not quite. Most cuts include some great scratching and the tracks with What What are ludicrously head-nod inducing, though the one with Fabian and Big Ted try too hard, and this reveiwer recommends skippage on that one. This is one for the Beat Generation.

There's a nice mix of pace and style on this CD, and even a spoken-word beatnik style hip-hop track that's actually worth listening to. Herbaliser has good beats and if there's any weakness it's too much vocal work. Herbaliser is best with vocals at a minimum or else it starts to lose it's identity and seem more like a fringe rap album than ace mixing and cuts. Still worth it but look into Thievery Corporation for a something more along the above lines.

Herbaliser perfectly represents everything I love about british hiphop and the ninja tune label. A musical sneak attack. Every time I play Theme From Control Center or Ginger Jumps the Fence for someone, jaws drop, heads bop and a groove is on. Can't wait for LP #3..

i really enjoy this record, just let it go and give it some listens, i like how its not over done, feels real natural and well rounded. its a cornicopea of hip hop, turntablism, d and b and rhymin, not to mention that what what is an ill emcee

Quite the best underground band i have ever heard, from Drum & Bass, to HipHop & Rap, till TripHop you can have anything from them...

I actually dont want to put them on some style allone, check them out yourself!