MF Doom Album: “Metal Fingers Presents: Special Herbs Vol. 5/6”

MF Doom has done it again as his production alter-ego Metal Fingers. This album rates at the top of my list with instrumental albums, along with Pete Rock's Petestrumentals and Jay Dee's Vintage. It has a extremely 70's feel throughout the whole album and leaves you with sort of a retro Herbie Hancock-esque (circa Headhunters) feel. You can clearly see on the song 'Dragon's Blood' Metal Fingers favors the comic book world with his sample from the 1960's Spiderman cartoon. 'Myrtle Leaf' is one of the best tracks on this album easily leaving your head bobbing and repeatedly pressing the Back button on your CD player. MF Doom is one of underground Hip-Hop's hardest working producers/MC's and geniusly exhibits his talent on Special Herbs Vol. 5&6.

MF Doom just can't go a couple of months without releasing an album of some sort. That's one of the main reasons I love him. His discography is so chalk full of originality and quality, that it's quite easy for a hip-hop head like myself to become completely enthralled with his career. These "Special Herbs" are a fine addition to his repertoire. Aside from his production on other albums (with rapping), this is a more in depth look at the man behind the mask. I recognized about 4 or 5 of the loops contained in this 13 track collection. It's a fun and chill ride of instrumentals that is sure to make you a believer in his moody production. The CD is also enhanced with some videos and pictures. The "My Favorite Ladies" music video was the highlight of the package for yours truly. Other videos include a live performance of "All Outta Ale", and a live "Special Blends DJ Set". Both of those live videos feature horrible sound quality and grainy video; leaving much to be desired. All and all, this is an interesting look at MF Doom's alternate agenda.

MF DOOM is one of the best mc/producers in hip hop right now, the man is consistantly dropping fresh material which is rare in this genre these days. So it was really no suprise that this CD quickly became one of my favorite instrumental albums from the 1st listen. There aren't any beats on this disc I wasn't feelin. Pick this up if you like good instrumentals. Also to you DOOM fans that don't know, Viktor Vaughn 2 Venomous Villian is supposed to drop August of this year.