Originally released in 2000 on two 10” slabs of vinyl, Session 1 is a take-home version of the
Herbaliser’s live show, which means “funky” and “exciting” to anyone who has seen the usually electronic duo jam on-stage with this organic band. Jazzy, lively, and filled with breakbeats hip-hop DJs should lift, the set features songs from the duo’s first three, production-brimming studio albums, reimagined here with horns, live percussion, and very few vocals, minus a couple samples. The results are trippy songs turned soulful and free with musicians improvising at times and turning headphone numbers into jazzy party starters. You don’t have to be aware of the originals to dig this hip-shaking session, but regular
Herbaliser fans will get the most out of this as they marvel at how cleverly the songs have been orchestrated. A second, equally desirable volume followed in 2009. ~ David Jeffries