Herbert* – Bodily Functions

One of the finest if not the most esteemed producers of House music

Touching electronic music made with upmost care. Herbert's attention to detail here is on a different league. This is a record you just want to sit down and go through it all, it's a story being told.

1999-2003 was definitely my favourite era in music. While dnb was fading into the underground but not so much, microhouse was all over the place and different electronic producers were doing their spin on "how can we make pop music with a noisy twist", and Matthew Herbert in particular gathered his interest in lounge jazz, sampling whatever (in this concept album, body sounds) and house music in what still remains his best album. Dani Siciliano is absolutely aligned and the balance they both get between the "downtempo band doing jazzy pop" so popular in the era and the experimentation and catchiness is what drives the whole very long album. There are some interludes that are more jazzy, some slower songs, but mostly some irresistible hits: "It's Only", sang and arranged with the conviction of doing a David Lynch soundtrack, the very hummable "Leave me now", the spectacular closer "The Audience" (which has a very cool video) and my favourite, that song to accidental friendships which is "You saw it all", a very dubby funky number that hits so close to my core.

Works as pop, works as ukg, works as dub, works as microhouse, works as jazz. And it's a very beautiful digipak. One of my top albums of the 00s.

My copy of this limited edition has a sticker with a revised catalogue number of AC160C2

An extraordinary example of the unexpected. By hearing in a whole. Needs a re-release. Wonder, why not happened till now.

Masterpiece. That's why it's getting scarce and expensive. There's a story going, the songs seem to complete each other. If it wasn't enough already, it comes on a nice gatefold and the mastering was well executed. All in all a must have for those into a more minimalistic electronic music.

Hands down one of the best albums of all time!!!

Please check the past sales history for prices. €75 is out of whack and exploitative!

Herbert turns his considerable talents towards a more jazzy path with his album, Bodily Functions. Dani Siciliano is still in full effect on the romantic “You’re Unknown to Me” and the housey “It’s Only,” but other vocalists are introduced as well. Phil Parnell lends his soul to “You Saw It All” and Shingai Shoniwa’s husky voice works to great effect on “I Miss You” and in a duet with Dani on the marvelously complex “The Audience.” “Suddenly” and “Leave Me Now” are more of the sublime house that we crave, while jazz, replete with squelches and noise that only Herbert can manage, is the order of the day on “I Know,” the reworking of “The Last Beat,” and “On Reflection.” Another wonderful album from Herbert -- he just keeps getting better and better.

Brilliant! Normally I can't stand house music, but Herbert always comes through with something intelligent and tasteful that you can sit and listen to with headphones.
The album features samples of household sounds, a Herbert trademark. His collaboration with Matmos has led him to include medical samples (laser eye surgery) and body sounds, like the sampled sound of blood flowing through M.C. Schmidt's veins.
However creepy this may all sound, these songs are lush and beautiful. Dani Siciliano's singing reminds me a bit of Siouxsie's vocals with the Creatures. The lyrics themselves are a bit vague but definitely better than the "love will save the day" nonsense that house divas generally belt out.
Highly recommended.