08: ROY AYERS
‘TOUCH OF CLASS’ (MATTHEW HERBERT’S TOUCH OF ASS MIX)
(RAPSTER, 2006)
Not chatted too much about Matthew’s more recent work, which is still well good, so should mention a bit of it, eh? Herbert’s remixes are normally pretty badass, and it was actually very difficult not picking more here, but this is a definite standout of recent years. Taken from the BBE issued Virgin Ubiquity project of old Roy Ayers tunes that never made it to wax back in the day, then later remixed by the likes of Pepe Bradock, Osunlade, and of course, our homeboy Matthew. Herbert chops Ayres a big line of ketamine, calls in some hookers, and has a seedy slow motion party! WOOOOOOO!
09: ROISIN MURPHY
RUBY BLUE
(ECHO, 2005)
Herbert has produced music for Patrick Wolf, Bjork, and more recently The Invisible, but it was his work with ex Moloko singer Roisin Murphy on her debut solo album Ruby Blue where he really hit the spot. Despite working with somebody who is essentially a pop singer, the music here is pure Herbert, and pushes Roisin to knock out her best material. Herbert & Murphy manage to straddle the rarely straddled divide between the bright lights of Las Vegas and the dankness of grubby European techno clubs.
Preceding the album, the tracks were split up into three vinyl only ‘Sequins’ EPs, all of which feature paintings by Simon Henwood of Roisin in various sequined outfits, coz she is all special and discoey and that.
10: HERBERT
AROUND THE HOUSE
(PHONOGRAPHY, 1997)
Last, but by no means whatsoever least is Around The House. The album is the first in his long line of concept/found sound projects. From the Plat Du Jour take on food distribution and consumption, to the life of a pig on his upcoming One Pig album, Around The House is based on sounds found around the house. Shocking, I know.
Mashing washing machines and tooth brushes into swingtime, and as always Dani Siciliano taking over vocal duties, the highlights include ’1′, ‘So Now…’, ‘Around The House’, ‘Close To Me’, ‘The Last Beat’, ‘Going Round’, ‘His Time’, ‘In The Kitchen’, ‘We Still Have The Music’, ‘Never Give Up’, ‘Bedroom Jazz’ and ‘We Go Wrong’. Oh hold on, that’s the whole thing. His first album proper, and in my opinion, his best. Like 100lbs, recently reissued by !K7, so go blummin’ buy it!
Tom Kerridge