Rating:
Genre:
Electronica
Release Date: 03/14/2006
The
Fabriclive series has suffered few misses -- nearly every volume has featured high-class DJs mixing more dangerously and adventurously than they would anywhere else, with better results than appear on any other commercial releases.
Jake Wherry and
Ollie Teeba of
the Herbaliser certainly haven't lacked for opportunities to host freewheeling mix albums -- they do record for
Ninja Tune, after all -- but another chance is always welcome.
Fabriclive.26 is equal to their 2003 mix
Herbal Blend for the
Solid Steel sessions, and that's heavy praise. Differences, though, are apparent, beginning with an indication that
the Herbaliser is less willing to dredge the vagaries of pop culture than on
Herbal Blend. This is a straight
hip-hop mix for all practical purposes, with only a few choice
funk nuggets strategically placed when necessary. And for energy, it's unmatched by any recent
hip-hop releases, beginning with the opener,
"Dogsz N Sledgez," where
Million Dan punctuates his
dancehall raps with interjecting growls and whistles. An up-to-the-minute track from
Blufoot with
Yungun moves into a golden-age classic from
Hurby Luv Bug and
Antoinette without pausing a beat (or sounding like they're reaching for material). Most of the transitions are quick cuts that fit the mood perfectly, even when they drop their own
"None Other" (featuring
Cappo) in the middle of the mix. British
rap specifically, and
underground rap in general, never get enough exposure (and don't think the
grime fad solved anything), but with any luck,
hip-hop fans will be hearing a lot more of British producer
Blufoot and
7L & Esoteric disciple
Apathy (who might get an album out on
Atlantic if
the White Stripes don't mind the sample).
~John Bush, All Music Guide
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