Agent MAD announce something wicked is coming this way…
Author: Michelle Pirovich
Wednesday, July 16, 2003
Ninja Tune puff daddies The Herbaliser, aka Jake Wherry and Ollie Teeba, will tour Australia and New Zealand in August-September (tour dates below).
Formed in the early 90's, The Herbaliser trace their roots to American jazz and funk (Roy Ayers, Johnny Pate, Ramsey Lewis), as well as old-school hip-hop (particularly of the New York variety - DST, Sugarhill, Jungle Brothers). A bass player in acid jazz/funk group The Propheteers, Wherry met local DJ Teeba in South London, assembled a few tracks and passed them on to Ninja Tune bosses Matt Black and Jonathon More (aka Coldcut) in a club. The group were signed to the label shortly after.
Releasing some warmly received EPs on Ninja Tune in 1994 and '95 they dropped their debut LP, 'Remedies', bringing both them, and the then up-and-coming Ninja label, much attention. Expanding more upon the group's hip-hop foundations, 'Blow Your Headphones' and 'Very Mercenary', their second and third LPs followed. Much in demand since then, Jake and Ollie have contributed to production for MCs from T-Love to Princess Superstar, remixed for Lamb, Push Button Objects, DJ Food, Raw Stylus and Coldcut, and contributed music to Guy Ritchie's 'Snatch' (apparently Madonna brought their music to his attention!).
Their fourth album on Ninja Tune, 'Something Wicked This Way Comes' was released last year (locally through Creative Vibes), and is arguably their most comprehensive work to date. A rich and varied collection of hip hop cuts, Something Wicked features guest appearances from US rappers Raaka Iriscience (Dilated Peoples) and MF Doom (of KMD), Blade, Seaming To, Wildflower and Phi Life Cypher, and sees The Herbaliser in their prime. A new single from the album, 'Time To Build/Distinguished Jamaican English', has just been released.
When they're not busy in their Traintrax studios in London, The Herbaliser get around the globe's on extensive tours, and have played every major festival from Glastonbury to Montreal to Montreaux.
Get ready to roll when The Herbaliser mix it up on four decks, showcasing their special herbal blend of blunted beats and jazz & funk-injected hip-hop. Tour dates are:
28.08 Sydney - Metro
29.08 Byron Bay - CMoog
30.08 Perth - The Post Office
04.09 Melbourne - The Prince
05.09 Adelaide - venue tba
06.09 Brisbane - The Arena
11.09 Dunedin (New Zealand) - Re-Fuel Bar
12.09 Wellington (New Zealand) - Studio 9
13.09 Auckland (New Zealand) - Galatos
Ticket Prices TBA
Tags