The Herbaliser - Blow your headphones Ninja Tune

The hip-hop element refreshes the ear of all those weary of gun-totting rap. ...B.L.E.N.D. The intro, flavor : KRSOne in yer face, moves onto the rapping styles of guest artists Big Ted and Fabian, who invite you out on a light-hearted Saturday night, and to the unparalleled virtuosity of What What. Fresh from NYC, What What takes us from free-style bullshit to perfectly weighted verbal rhythms. I move around, I'll be creating more styles...

Hardcore, satire of the 'hardcore nigger', parodies the commercial image that rap has assumed for some years now, demythisising the rapper's attitude, toppling the buffalo stance. The blend favours and flavours the act not the pose, lyrical prowess and crafted rhythms blended with an unforced blackass verbal attitude.

Yet another album which poses the question : what the fuck is Trip-hop anyway ?

Herbaliser, in the great tradition of Ninja Tune, defy all facile categorisation. They collide styles whilst maintaining the autonomous flavours, overturning the trend for fusing everything into a static product, a fixed image, one sound. Not synthesis, just Blend (haven't I repeated myself enough?). An explosive cocktail, not a finely distilled spirit. Shaken, not stirred.

...blow your mind.