Some people love it, others hate it. I for one, have a real soft spot for funk and Gadget Funk holds no prisoners in The Herbalisers’ epic. I defy anyone not to turn their head at its over blown crecendo leading into the first chorus. I’ve often used this track to liven things up of an evening. It, for me, is a cue to get on with it, stop the chatting and start the dancing.
The jazzy, funky, hip hop style of Herbalizer was picked up by Ninja Tunes in the 90’s. They have enjoyed commercial success in the forms of movie soundtracks and computer games.
Ollie and Jake proved their DJ skills with the acclaimed 2004 mix album Herbal Blend and their 2006 mix for Fabric. In between, they returned to the studio with Take London, released in 2005. A multicultural manifesto celebrating the UK capital’s unique mix of soul, funk, hip-hop and reggae, it featured the triumphant return of Roots Manuva alongside Jean Grae, who by now had left her What What alias behind. A rave review on the BBC Urban site described Take London as “tailor-made for cruising over Waterloo Bridge at midnight, preferably in a blacked-out mini with a Union Jack painted on the roof.”
2010 saw Ninja Tune release “Herbal Tonic” a 16 track compilation featuring the cream of The Herbaliser’s recording career.
The Herbaliser’s website
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