On The Floor! - Live At Ninja Tune Festival, Paris

The Herbaliser

!K7, London

More than 15 years into their musical journey, The Herbaliser just keep getting bigger, stronger and better. It all began in the early 1990s when West London duo Jake Wherry and Ollie Teeba discovered a shared passion for hip hop, rare groove, funk and jazz. James Brown, DJ Premier, Lalo Schifrin, David Axelrod and Serge Gainsbourg were their youthful heroes and the studio became their first instrument. Both avid vinyl collectors, Jake and Ollie began using the freshest sampling techniques, coupled with Jake’s musical know-how from playing guitar and bass. Later, they added guest rappers and vocalists, followed by a full live line-up of brass, strings and cinematic textures. Their London-centric take on funky electronica packed with samples, scratches and chopped-up rhythms was the flipside to the Britpop coin and the sound of many albums. These days, after moving forwards, sideways, and back to the future, being DJs and captains of a big live band, The Herbaliser have come full circle. They are still inspired by hip hop,"but at the same time it's a lot broader because our musical and emotional horizons are broader," says Jake. "It’s all one big family. As teenagers in the 1980s, we were into rare groove, early electro, funk, soul and jazz. It's a big melting pot." Amen! This is a special mix by Herbaliser's Ollie Teeba recorded at the Ninja Tunes Festival in Paris, followed by a live session from the lovely Kastors Juniors.