Herbert* - 100 Lbs

Though not as polished as it could be, Herbert’s debut album, 100 Lbs., still shows a unique sensibility and approach to house music. “Thinking of You” undoubtedly has the beat to make it work, but the smooth synths give it a bouncy outlook. “Oo Licky” beings to showcase of that Herbert humor, with the vocal sample and the digitized voice exhorting the listener to chill out. My favorite track here, “Friday They Dance” is deep and gracious, starting off quietly and content to maintain that mood. A few tracks seem a bit underdeveloped (“Take Me Back” and “Deeper,” for instance), but those shortcomings are more than compensated for by other excellent tracks (like “Resident” or “See You On Monday”). Herbert has helped house move in a new direction, and this album shows the first few steps he took.