Special Herbs, Vol. 3

producers: the metal fingers villain
year of release: 2002
 
Considering the concept, it's rather remarkable that this is already going into part three. Considering the artists however, it's not so surprising anymore. Because MF Doom has a lot of fans, that are more eager for new Doom tracks, than suburbia pubertarian dorks were fiending for those "Dirrty" video screenshots. Therefore the rather cheap (said in the most loving way) concept of taking some previously used beats, stripping them off the lyrics, and putting them on a limited CD, does not sound like the best marketing plan. But it works. Those "Special Herbs" sell like cookies at a "Woodstock" revival. Heck, there's re-releases of this even, as the limited edition just wasn't good enough.
So more there is, as the Metal Fingers Villain, Big Jim, Mister Fantastic and Sub-Roc dig though their vaults or dig through their vault, like a pig looking for truffles. And some mushrooms they dig out. And those that follow the steps of Doom, will probably know most of these tracks. Maybe even own a few tracks. What they will not mind.

tracklisting
1. Agrimony
2. Arabic Gum
3. Benzoin Gum
4. Bergamot Wild
5. Calamus
6. Dragon's Blood Resin
7. Elder Blossoms

8. Styrax Gum
Because everyone likes this record. But why? What's in Doom's and aliases and folks'es beats that is just so dope? Much boils down to the selection of samples. Maybe much boils down to samples being selected. Because a sample is still so much more hip hop, than a keyboard stroke can ever be. But that's not all. Here the samples also get treated. There's a strange mixture of looping, chopping, completely messing it up and just leaving it like it is going on, happening And along with that there's a lot of drum treatment and I don't give a damn going on. Therefore a track like "Arabic Gum", that's used for purification, is changing the speed like a chameleon changes colors standing in front of a rainbow. The knowledgeable heads will obviously know what kind of brick this track is, and they'll also appreciate how very well this stands by itself.
And the scientists will respect the difference of this dirty and gritty offering, to the plush and loving "Benzoin Gum", used for grounding and stabilizing. With the one previous to this and the this one being two of the favorite offerings on here. The latter however is not just consisting of a magnificent orchestration sample, the drum is programmed nicely. And the little voice leftovers from the sample, just make this rustically better. Moving on we get an excellent "Bergamot Wild", and next up "Calamus". And hearing this you can think of about nine people you want to hear rhyming over this beat, along with about twelve others that would ride the track even nicer then about four of those nine people.
Further down the line there's a harder "Dragon's Blood Resin" and a disco shaking "Elder Blossoms" and finally another interestingly (to say the least) programmed speed changing "Styrax Gum", that uses some De La without trying to hide it. What tells you that this herbal tee here got as much flavor as does the sweetest Ricola bonbon. And it's just as good for your health, spirit and well being. Therefore pick this up quicker than IRS employees pick up tax fraud rumors.
review: tadah
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