The Herbaliser is the malicious lovechild of a stoned copulation session between DJ Shadow, Miles Davis and Portishead. With "Very Mercenary," the band (under the direction of DJ Ollie Teeba and producer Jake Wherry) goes one better than their stellar disc "Blow Your Headphones." This time, the English boys have learned the beauty of subtlety. The end result: some mad blunted jazz that would confuse the average Puff Daddy fan to pieces while endlessly delighting those who thought hip hop couldn't get any better than Shadow's "Endtroducing" or The Fugees' "The Score." Choice cuts: All the tracks featuring rapper What What?, "Who's The Realest," "Mind in the Frame," "Road of Many Signs" (w/ The Dream Warriors), "Wall Crawling Breaks" and "The Sensual Woman." "Very Mercenary" gives hip hop what it needs--a healthy dose of cinematic noir. It gives two different kinds of energy--the kind to dance to, and the kind that stimulates thought. Never mind best of the year--try one of the all-time classic hip-hop discs ever made. It's also very revolutionary. Don't be surprised if the major playas start putting out product like this in the next five years...

Herbaliser proves themselves to be one of the most creative forces on Ninja tune. The sound on this album comes across as a cross between the cut-and-paste hip-hop of coldcut and the jazz flavor of Amon-tobin. Beautiful backgrounds are made through both noir samples and live percussions, as well as fantastic live bass playing. In fact, the entire album has a live feel that is altogether absent on most hip-hop albums. All of the vocal tracks succeed, save for the dismal performance of the Dream Warriors on the 'Road of many signs'. Strange Ninja tune released it as a single. And 'the missing suitcase' is the best spy theme since the propellerheads 'majesty's secret service'. While not perfect, Very Mercenary is a must have for fans of blunted jazzy hip-hop. If you're looking for a different side of hip-hop, buy this.

Ah, yes - Ninja Tune. This London-based label is home to such artists as Coldcut, Amon Tobin, and The Herbaliser. Their latest disc, "Very Mercenary," continues in the Ninja tradition of releasing cutting-edge albums. Highlights include "Road of Many Signs" (featuring the Dream Warriors), which boasts a beat which I'd put right up there with the one from "Nas Is Like." Bahamadia's smooth vocal delivery (and that laid-back beat) make "When I Shine" a winner, as well. Of the instrumentals, "Shattered Soul" may remind you of "Midnight In A Perfect World" by DJ Shadow - in a good way. And "Goldrush"'s trumpet-backed beats will take you for a ride. Also, "Wall Crawling Giant Insect Breaks" is pure fun; it's a hip-hop history lesson complete with scratches and cool samples (be sure to look for the one from Spider-Man). Would you like something different from 99% of today's hip-hop? Get this CD.

I prefer their instrumental songs - not a fan of the rappers they feature usually - especially the last song, The Missing Suitcase. They're a good band, sometimes they try to be a little too modern and artsy but they're good. I prefer their 'Same as it never was' album though.

this album is a neat crossingpoint of hip hop/big beat and late night stoner tunes. probably not instantly accesible other than "the realest" to some listeners it does grow and become essential mood music, similar to say {freddy fresh last true family man}. hip hop is having a revival at the mo and this will hope fully produce more of this style {dj shadow ,freestylers} etc.......