HERB005 Engine7 - Me, But Perfect CD
Release Date - 14th July 2007 "I first heard 'Sunrise, Catalonia (7:14am)’ and 'Tempertantrum (11:36am)’ as two sides of a single and loved what I was hearing so I was ready and anxious to hear what Alan McNeil and his collective of chums had managed to present in a full length form and so – heart in mouth – I cued the CD in my PC tray and waited to be astounded. And 45 minutes or so later I took a deep breath and realised that the world was suddenly quiet and empty and promptly cued the sucker up again and enveloped myself in the world of Engine 7’s newborn. This is absolutely bloody wonderful. For once the concept is borne out by the reality of the music and we are treated to music of a high standard as well as an album that wraps you in its arms and promises never to let you down – this is music to grow up with."
Music News
HERB004 Engine7 - Tempertantrum (11.36am)
Release Date - 28th April 2008 "Glaswegian producer Engine 7 works with a hybrid of IDM and techno influences only to combine them with a more aggressive, rock-oriented sound, resulting in the crisp, accelerated beats of 'Tempertantrum' and the more tranquil strains of 'Sunrise Catalonia' whose semi-yodelled vocal fits in nicely with the post-rock chord changes and the slightly new age feel to the production." Boomkat
HERB001CD Rubens - Carnivalesque CD
Release Date - 8th October 2007 "In spite of the seemingly understated nature of these tracks, Carnivalesque is an impressive feat of programming, at times approaching an almost Richard D. James-like magnitude of studio virtuosity...By and large, Rubens has recorded a spirited and prepossessing release that serves as an extraordinarily poignant debut." Grooves Magazine
HERB003 Rubens - Breaking Into Smile EP 12" Vinyl
Single Of The Week - News Of The World
Release Date - 1st October 2007 "The Black Dog, Kirk Degiorgio and Dextro provide revised versions of the pair’s Breaking Into Smile, another track taken from Carnivalesque. One of the definite standout moments from the album, the original, also featured here, is another piece of heady melodic electronica which continuously evolves around a central theme, a classic structure pioneered by the likes of The Black Dog and Degiorgio, amongst others, in the early nineties." The Milk Factory
Featuring remixes by:
The Black Dog (Warp, Soma, Dust Science)
Dextro (Gronland, Border Community)
Kirk Degiorgio (Mo'Wax, Peacefrog, New Religion)
HERB002 Rubens - Puggies/Vertical Hold 7" Vinyl
A - Puggies
AA - Vertical Hold
Release Date - 27th August 2007 "A lovely little 7" this, dunno much about Rubens, two blokes from Scotland that make electronica. Anyway that's by the by, what really matters is that "Puggies" is a great electro pop instrumental, with flashes of Stereolab (without the rubbish vocals) and Caribou, a lush melody line, driving beats and deft edits. Over on Side-B "Vertical Hold" mangles acoustic guitar, rewound synth noises and motorik beats into a stunning little number. Just like Bibio with beats." Record of the Week - Piccadilly Records
HERB0027 Kingbastard - [L o s t A t S e a] Digital
HERB0026 Solipsism - Organicism Special Edition Digital
consuming collages depicting in the minds eye intergalactic voyages to far flung milky ways, gloriously wide screen in stature and vividly fulsome in texture. a lushly envisaged cosmic pit stop where shuffling statue-esque beats orbit amorously across swirling passages of soft psych ambient blissfulness - think Biosphere trading dialects more appreciable to the polar climes of Amon Duul and Jean Michel Jarre - a magnificent dreamscaping delight. Losing Today
HERB0025 Mosca - Winterland Digital
‘Winterland’ is the aural equivalent of a dram of the finest single malt; it slips down effortlessly and gently radiates warmth from within. Maybe it’s the August release date, but the album seems to me to be perfect summer music and it’s unlikely you’ll hear a better collection of electronic songs all year. Highly recommended. White Noize Revisited
HERB0016 Kingbastard - [RUN:>EP] Digital
"Very well put together, constant digitalia." Future Music
HERB0015 Mosca - Of Need & Belonging Digital
Mosca's intensive brand of ambient noise recalls the work of Fennesz, Labradford and most importantly Eluvium. All of the aforementioned acts have a reputation of layering hazy melodies over and over until there is a solid mass of sound. Mosca may take his cues from such revered artists, but the music on his "Of Need & Belonging" ep is steeped in his own experimentation that ensures his music unravels slowly. "His music fluctuates between ambient noise, experimentation and downtempo rythmic drones". It gives a sound that is intense, expansive and cinematic. Boring Machines Disturbs Sleep
HERB0014 Cheju - Mechanics Of Failure Digital
Cheju's music is a blend of crystal clear beats and some very melodic synths. However, he also retains an experimental edge, that will please fans of the, sadly defunct, Neo Ouija label, in particular Seven Ark. Boring Machines Disturbs Sleep
HERB0013 Myppa - Altruistic Behaviours Digital
The album's title track comes across like Sigur Ros clashing with the playful nature of Khonnor, while "Gydppa's" combination of a heart-warming melody, innocent samples and gorgeous string arrangements is magical. The seven minute long "Ladesma", meanwhile, points to an Album Leaf influence, with a stuttering rhythm and hazy tones that builds eventfully for its duration, before subsiding into the next track, "Kindergarten". Boring Machines Disturbs Sleep
HERB0012 Locum76 - I Belong On Terra Firma Digital
HERB0009 Bit|Bin - Alias Digital
HERB0004 The Lava Experiments - Solar Digital