Disco de The Herbaliser: “Very Mercenary”

Possibly wanting to avoid being `Confined' to the `Trip-Hop' tag, The Herbaliser moves more into a rough conceptual-themed Spy Thriller, with a abundance of 60's spy movie sample snippets littered throughout the album. With what could have been a one trick pony idea, works to overwhelmingly superb effect, "Mission Improbable" has female scattershot MC `What What', delivering complicated wordplay over a tasty bed of (60's inspired) uptempo hypnotic Hip-Hop beats. But really impresses is the way that the way that `The Herbaliser' can construct a sound or beat, without resorting to tired clichés, and interesting diverse. "Shattered Soul" really does show how the limitations of the Trip-Hop genre haven't even begun to become confining, it's a purely instrumental track (of which there are several on the album) and shows how beat creation can now truly be considered with (almost) the same creditability as a instrumentalist, and cements `The Herbaliser" as amongst `Ninja Tunes' finest.

Standout artisans in a growing hallucinogenre, Herbalizer's latest merits meticulous attention. An invigorating volume of dope jams, articulated by noir suspension, freak-powered abstrakt beatz and sharply delineated colored noise, `Very Mercenary' exemplifies a refined brand of audiotropism, one that displays the highest regards for the ears intelligence and for the art of beatnology itself. The tight transparency that Wherry and Teeba aim to create is established immediately; much of the records cut-and-paste hip-hop system can be absorbed in a single glance. In a less obvious way, the theme of naked nanofunk is woven deeply in a heady jazzual stance and amplified by deft scratches, samples and live percussion and bass. These main ingredients are imprinted with madcap raps by Bahamedia, What What of the Natural Elements crew, and Roots' Manuva that unfurl liquified linguistics onto the instru-mural substructure. Crucial cutz "The Realest", "Wall Crawling Giant Insect Breaks", "Shattered Soul", "Goldrush", and the spy-themed "The Missing Suitcase" emphasize this legion's rootedness in a late-night blunted scene. Yet even at it's most mellow, the vibe remains viscerally challenging. Out of the simmering dub priorities, integrity remains high. Rhythmical manipulation never diverts anarcho-ontology. All told, expect to be reclined, yet inclined to imagine something extraordinarily intense.

most hip hop seems rather recycled and bland. this is not hip hop either, yet elements are very present. I purchased this album after seeing them live (something everybody should do, my what a great show...! )

all of the guest vocalists (mc's)> GREAT! all of the wacky sampling > GREAT! all of Ollie's scratchinG > GREAT!~

shattered soul= classic epic, beauty! my personal favourite track.

Fans are raving about the rappers on this album but I have to say - The Herbaliser team has got its groove on!

It's all about the horns. Andy Ross and his boys positively blow me away. Subtlety goes along way, and WHEN are these guys touring the U.S.A. again?

Not much to say, except this is a fantastic album that deserves more attention. ( Oh hang on - perhaps to be respected as a reviewer I needz 2 use digitz and zedz :-)