Special Herbs + Spices Volume 1

Special Herbs + Spices Vol. 1 is the second collaborative album released by American rappers MF Doom and MF Grimm, released in 2004 on Grimm's own Day By Day Entertainment label.[2] Unlike their previous works, this CD is solely focused on MF Grimm's rhyming over MF Doom's production.[2] The first ingredient of each song title is a reference to the corresponding track from Doom's Special Herbs series of instrumental albums. The tracks on the album were composed as freestyles by MF Grimm with many being written on the spot prior to recording. This reflects Grimm's past as a prolific and decorated battle rapper. Due to the duo's falling out after the release of this album, it is the last record to be released collaboratively.

Special Herbs + Spices Vol. 1
Studio album by
ReleasedMay 11, 2004
GenreUnderground hip hop
Length50:42
LabelDay By Day Entertainment
ProducerMetal Fingers
MF Doom chronology
Madvillainy
(2004)
Special Herbs + Spices Vol. 1
(2004)
VV:2
(2004)
MF Grimm chronology
Digital Tears: E-mail from Purgatory
(2004)
Special Herbs + Spices Volume 1
(2004)
Scars & Memories
(2005)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[1]
cokemachineglow76%[2]
Hip-Hop Elements9/10[3]
Stylus MagazineB−[4]

The album was released prior to and in promotion of MF Grimm's triple-album American Hunger.[2] The last track, "My Love" was originally slated to be released on American Hunger, but was removed and replaced with the track "Still My Love" due to MF Grimm's beef with MF Doom.

Track listing edit

No.TitleLength
1."Intro" (performed by Fat Man Scoop)2:18
2."Arabic Gum + Ajowan = No Snakes Alive Pt. 3"2:56
3."Calamus + Star Anise = Superhero"2:31
4."Dragons Blood + Cayenne = 1000 Degrees"4:04
5."Dragons Blood Resin + Ginger = Warpaint"2:02
6."Benzoin Gum + Asafoetida = 10 Years Later"3:00
7."Red #40 + Wasabi = Bottle Rocket"3:55
8."Bergamot + Sumac = Rain Blood Pt. 2"3:27
9."Kava Kava Root + Poppy Seeds = Stress Box"3:24
10."Styrax Gum + Nutmeg = Tick Tick Pt. 2"3:30
11."Mugwort + Cinnamon = Shifting Lanes" (featuring Kurious)2:57
12."Horehound + Sesame Seeds = Tonight's Show" (featuring Bashton the Invizabul Mang and Lord Smog)3:10
13."Outro" (performed by Fat Man Scoop)0:57
14."My Love / Return to Monsta Island"12:30
Total length:50:42

References edit

  1. ^ Whalley, Matt. Special Herbs + Spices Volume 1 at AllMusic. Retrieved 5 July 2023.
  2. ^ a b c d Hepburn, Peter. "MF Doom and MF Grimm: Special Herbs & Spices Vol. 1 | Records". cokemachineglow. Archived from the original on 22 September 2012. Retrieved 5 July 2023.
  3. ^ Jones, Todd E. "MF DOOM & MF GRIMM - "Special Herbs & Spices" - Album Reviews - The Elements". Hip-Hop Elements. Archived from the original on 15 October 2004. Retrieved 5 July 2023.
  4. ^ Drake, David. "MF Doom / MF Grimm - Special Herbs and Spices Volume 1 - Review". Stylus Magazine. Archived from the original on 2 February 2010. Retrieved 5 July 2023.