Monday 12.01.08: THE HERBALISER / J BOOGIE @ echoplex

The Herbaliser || Listen || Watch

Jake Wherry formed Herbaliser when he met young deejay Ollie Teeba in their hometown of South London back in the early ‘90s. They hooked up with Ninja Tune early in its history, with their cut-and-paste 1995 debut Remedies being just the 18th record catalogued as Zen. Blow Your Headphones followed with more of a sampled jazz and trip-hop feel. The three records after that followed a similar path. While the duo’s production value improved, and the touring band began to take a larger role in the studio, their output seemed to become more formulaic as hip-hop albums. But something has changed, besides their contract. Same as It Never Was, their seventh studio album, is not just a clever name.

Ralph Lamb (trumpet) and Andy Ross (flute, saxophone) from the touring band have now become official, permanent members, as well as smoky voiced chanteuse Jessica Darling. The fresh meat and change of scenery must have done wonders in the studio ‘cause this record sounds completely re-inspired. There are only a couple of real hip-hop tracks on the listing. Instead, Same as It Never Was joins the ranks of Jamie Lidell, Quantic Soul Orchestra, and the Dap Kings as a work of vigorous throwback funk. This is Herbaliser putting something back for the ages.

I’ve been a great fan of Herbaliser’s for years, and though I’d like to think Blow Your Headphones is their finest work on account of my experience with it, there’s no getting around the potent punch packed in their latest bomb. “Game, Set and Match” with More Or Les is the only track that doesn’t fit in. With a typical beat, accordion, and hard rhymes, it sounds like a leftover from 2005’s Take London. Other than that, Same as It Never Was is their undisputed best record start to finish. They’ve totally outdone themselves. My hat is off to you, fine sirs and Madame. – Popmatters

with:
J Boogie || Listen

@ Echoplex
enter at 1154 Glendale Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90026