Blow Your Headphones
English outfit the Herbaliser take their sophomore LP,Blow Your Headphones, into cinematic territory, creating an imaginary soundtrack (complete with opening and ending credits, a theme song, and an intermission) to a cheekily British dark comedy with their hip-hop-oriented take on jazz, easy listening, and suspense music. DJ Ollie Teeba serves as a conductor of sorts for the band; his featured takes, such as "Intermission," "Shocker Zulu," and "More Styles," wield deft cuts and scratches on his turntable as a constant reminder that the band's soul is firmly rooted in an underground hip-hop perspective. Unlike much of American hip-hop, which tends to be MC-driven, the Herbaliser's strength does not hinge on lyrics, though vocal tracks like "New + Improved" (featuring the stunning verbals of female MC What What of Natural Resource) and "Saturday Night" (with British rappers Fabian and Big Ted) are just as solid. A beacon in illuminating the U.K. hip-hop sensibility to the global community.--Tamara Palmer