albums of the decade - 88. Herbert - Scale

88. Herbert - Scale (2006)

Matthew Herbert is the classic British eccentric. He is also perhaps the ultimate producer in modern music. Aside from producing great records from Roisin Murphy and Micachu & The Shapes, he gets politically active in his own sampling. In 2005's 'Plat Du Jour,' Herbert sampled various foodstuffs and those exploited in India picking artificially grown rice plants and much more to get his case forward. On 2006's Scale though, it was household objects including breakfast ceral and gas pumps. If all of this sounds a bit oddball, just give 'Scale' a spin and you'll find one of the best soul albums in an age! How it all fits together is anyone's guess, but by golly it does and it's a miracle and he never ceases to amaze etc etc etc