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Something Wicked This Way Comes emotive words from the distant past applied to the invention of something wholly of the now. Herein, episode four, featuring 13 monster chapters of verse, rhyme and riff.
The album is not just next level; it is THE level! The Herbaliser's, Jake Wherry and Ollie Teeba, weigh in with all the required and acquired experience, ability and know how, to produce arguably their finest album work to date. Sample based dons they remain. Although, this time round many of the samples are their own and the dons tag extends out to the family of musicians and collaborators whose arrangements helped shape the extraordinary LP that is Something Wicked This Way Comes.
The soulfully symphonic title track Something Wicked kick starts the voyage, dragging you in with both legs and arms kicking; a monster vibe track capable of lifting any mood, regardless.
With not enough time or space on this one page to praise, dissect and give justice to all those and all that appear alongside Jake & Ollie on the album; We turn first to spoken word contributors to take their bow; Herbs good friend Blade for the determination and fire; Rakaa Iriscience for his hydropowered delivery; the legendary MF Doom greatly admired since his time with definitive 90s hip hop group KMD. Then we get nicely toasted by the speedy-tongue skills of Phi-Life Cypher, fresh from touring the Globe with Gorillaz and Wildflower who brings her London street rhymes with that characteristic infectious lilt. If this sounds like a big up to one and all well it certainly is.
The touring 7 piece Herbaliser band also has it's part to play in the vision. Live instrumentation; 18 months constantly on the road; all has had a distinct effect. Studio tracks are constructed the same as always; but Jake & Ollie have turned to the askew genius that is Chris Bowden and The Herbaliser horn section, The Easy Access Orchestra, to vibe and collaborate on certain arrangements. The results of this toil appear on tracks such as the atmospheric Mr. Holmes, the striding Worldwide Connected, a funkfueled, The Turnaround and the percussive b-boy track, Battle of Bongo Hill. The studio formula, working live, has arrived and it's all there in the music.
The range and variety of what's in your possession is The Herbaliser at their prime. It's a truly Wicked experience. |
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