Special Herbs, Vol. 2
Encyclopedia
Special Herbs, Vol. 2 is the second album in the Special Herbs series of instrumental works released by Daniel Dumile
under the Metal Fingers moniker. As with the previous volume, each track is named after a herb or similar flora
, with the possibly ironic exceptions of mass-produced food additive
s monosodium glutamate
and Red 40
.
The album's title is slightly misleading, in that it is not an entirely new volume: the first installment in the Metal Fingers series, Special Herbs, Vol. 1
, appears again as the first nine tracks of Vol. 2, and a note on the cover explains that the latter "contains Volumes 1 & 2". For this reason, the album is also commonly known as Special Herbs, Vols. 1 & 2. The difference in record label
s on which the two albums were released explains this quirk.
Daniel Dumile
Daniel Dumile is a hip hop artist who has taken on several stage names in his career, most notably MF DOOM, where the "MF" stands for metal face, and for tracks he has produced, metal fingers...
under the Metal Fingers moniker. As with the previous volume, each track is named after a herb or similar flora
Flora
Flora is the plant life occurring in a particular region or time, generally the naturally occurring or indigenous—native plant life. The corresponding term for animals is fauna.-Etymology:...
, with the possibly ironic exceptions of mass-produced food additive
Food additive
Food additives are substances added to food to preserve flavor or enhance its taste and appearance.Some additives have been used for centuries; for example, preserving food by pickling , salting, as with bacon, preserving sweets or using sulfur dioxide as in some wines...
s monosodium glutamate
Monosodium glutamate
Monosodium glutamate, also known as sodium glutamate or MSG, is the sodium salt of glutamic acid, one of the most abundant naturally occurring non-essential amino acids....
and Red 40
Allura Red AC
Allura Red AC is a red azo dye that goes by several names including: Allura Red, Food Red 17, C.I. 16035, FD&C Red 40, 2-naphthalenesulfonic acid, 6-hydroxy-5--, disodium salt, and disodium 6-hydroxy-5--2-naphthalenesulfonate. It is used as a food dye and has the E number E129...
.
The album's title is slightly misleading, in that it is not an entirely new volume: the first installment in the Metal Fingers series, Special Herbs, Vol. 1
Special Herbs, Vol. 1
Special Herbs, Vol. 1 is the first album in the Special Herbs series of instrumental works released by Daniel Dumile under the Metal Fingers moniker on various independent hip hop labels...
, appears again as the first nine tracks of Vol. 2, and a note on the cover explains that the latter "contains Volumes 1 & 2". For this reason, the album is also commonly known as Special Herbs, Vols. 1 & 2. The difference in record label
Record label
In the music industry, a record label is a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. Most commonly, a record label is the company that manages such brands and trademarks, coordinates the production, manufacture, distribution, marketing and promotion,...
s on which the two albums were released explains this quirk.
Track listing
- "SaffronSaffronSaffron is a spice derived from the flower of Crocus sativus, commonly known as the saffron crocus. Crocus is a genus in the family Iridaceae. Each saffron crocus grows to and bears up to four flowers, each with three vivid crimson stigmas, which are each the distal end of a carpel...
" – 3:24- Contains a sample from "Hogin' Machine" by Les BaxterLes BaxterLes Baxter was an American musician and composer.Baxter studied piano at the Detroit Conservatory before moving to Los Angeles for further studies at Pepperdine College. Abandoning a concert career as a pianist, he turned to popular music as a singer...
, from the Hell's Belles soundtrackSoundtrackA soundtrack can be recorded music accompanying and synchronized to the images of a motion picture, book, television program or video game; a commercially released soundtrack album of music as featured in the soundtrack of a film or TV show; or the physical area of a film that contains the...
. - Produced by MF DOOMMF DoomDaniel Dumile is a hip hop artist who has taken on several stage names in his career, most notably MF DOOM, where the "MF" stands for metal face, and for tracks he has produced, metal fingers...
- Contains a sample from "Hogin' Machine" by Les Baxter
- "Arrow RootArrowrootArrowroot, or obedience plant , Bermuda arrowroot, araru, ararao, is a large perennial herb found in rainforest habitats...
" – 3:45- Produced by MF DOOM
- "ZatarZa'atarZa'atar is a generic name for a family of related Middle Eastern herbs from the genera Origanum , Calamintha , Thymus vulgaris and Satureja . It is also the name for a condiment made from the dried herb, mixed together with sesame seeds, dried sumac, and often salt, as well as other spices...
" – 3:14- Produced by MF DOOM
- Contains a sample from "Been So Long" by Anita Baker
- "FenugreekFenugreekFenugreek is a plant in the family Fabaceae. Fenugreek is used both as a herb and as a spice . The leaves and sprouts are also eaten as vegetables...
" – 3:22- Produced by MF DOOM
- "Sumac BerriesSumacSumac is any one of approximately 250 species of flowering plants in the genus Rhus and related genera, in the family Anacardiaceae. Sumacs grow in subtropical and temperate regions throughout the world, especially in Africa and North America....
" – 3:34- Produced by MF DOOM
- "CorianderCorianderCoriander is an annual herb in the family Apiaceae. Coriander is native to southern Europe and North Africa to southwestern Asia. It is a soft, hairless plant growing to tall. The leaves are variable in shape, broadly lobed at the base of the plant, and slender and feathery higher on the...
" – 3:03- Produced by MF DOOM
- "ShallotShallotThe shallot is the botanical variety of Allium cepa to which the multiplier onion also belongs. It was formerly classified as the species A. ascalonicum, a name now considered a synonym of the correct name...
s" – 4:00- Produced by DJ SubrocDJ SubrocDJ Subroc was a hip hop artist and a member of KMD, Constipated Monkey and Monsta Island Czars. His first group, KMD was formed by him along with his brother Zev Love X and Jade 1 who would later be known as Rodan, but later replaced by Onyx the Birthstone Kid. His first release was the LP, Mr....
- Produced by DJ Subroc
- "Charnsuka" – 2:19
- Contains a sample from "Vykkii" by Isaac Hayes.
- Produced by MF DOOM
- "Monosodium GlutamateMonosodium glutamateMonosodium glutamate, also known as sodium glutamate or MSG, is the sodium salt of glutamic acid, one of the most abundant naturally occurring non-essential amino acids....
" – 2:40- Contains a sample from "One Hundred Ways" by Quincy JonesQuincy JonesQuincy Delightt Jones, Jr. is an American record producer and musician. A conductor, musical arranger, film composer, television producer, and trumpeter. His career spans five decades in the entertainment industry and a record 79 Grammy Award nominations, 27 Grammys, including a Grammy Legend...
, from the album The Dude. - Produced by MF DOOM
- Contains a sample from "One Hundred Ways" by Quincy Jones
- "Red #40Allura Red ACAllura Red AC is a red azo dye that goes by several names including: Allura Red, Food Red 17, C.I. 16035, FD&C Red 40, 2-naphthalenesulfonic acid, 6-hydroxy-5--, disodium salt, and disodium 6-hydroxy-5--2-naphthalenesulfonate. It is used as a food dye and has the E number E129...
" – 3:39- Contains a sample from "Rocket In The Pocket" by CerroneCerroneMarc Cerrone is a French disco drummer, singer-songwriter and record producer.Marc Cerrone has sold over thirty million albums and has often performed in front of hundreds of thousands of people at huge concerts and events such as The 2005 Dance Party Live in Versailles and The 2000 Los Angeles...
. - Produced by MF DOOM
- Contains a sample from "Rocket In The Pocket" by Cerrone
- "NettleNettleNettles constitute between 24 and 39 species of flowering plants of the genus Urtica in the family Urticaceae, with a cosmopolitan though mainly temperate distribution. They are mostly herbaceous perennial plants, but some are annual and a few are shrubby...
Leaves" – 3:28- Contains samples from "It's a New Day" by Skull SnapsSkull SnapsSkull Snaps was a funk group that released one eponymous album on the small GSF label in 1973 before disappearing. It was, in fact, the group originally known as the Diplomats, which released numerous singles between 1963 and 1970 with some success....
, from the album Skull Snaps, and from "Eastern Market" by Yusef LateefYusef LateefDr. Yusef Lateef is an American Grammy Award-winning jazz multi-instrumentalist, composer, educator and a spokesman for the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community after his conversion to the Ahmadiyya sect of Islam in 1950.Although Lateef's main instruments are the tenor saxophone and flute, he is known for...
, from the album Yusef Lateef's Detroit. - Produced by MF DOOM
- Contains samples from "It's a New Day" by Skull Snaps
- "MulleinMulleinThe Mulleins are a genus of about 250 species of flowering plants in the figwort family . They are native to Europe and Asia, with the highest species diversity in the Mediterranean region.They are biennial or perennial plants, rarely annuals or subshrubs, growing to 0.5–3 m tall...
" – 4:40- Produced by MF DOOM
- Contains a sample from the Episode of Dragon Ball Z anime, entitled, More Androids?.
- "MugwortArtemisia vulgarisArtemisia vulgaris is one of several species in the genus Artemisia which have common names that include the word mugwort. This species is also occasionally known as Felon Herb, Chrysanthemum Weed, Wild Wormwood, Old uncle Henry, Sailor's Tobacco, Naughty Man, Old Man or St...
" – 2:26- Contains a sample from "Hangin' On" by Coke EscovedoCoke EscovedoCoke Escovedo was an American percussionist born April 30, 1941 in Los Angeles, California. Coke Escovedo first rose to prominence in 1969 as a member of Santana. Coke would be a featured on Santana's) Santana III album. In early 1972 Coke formed Azteca along with his brother Pete Escovedo...
from the album Comin' at Ya. - Produced by MF DOOM
- Contains a sample from "Hangin' On" by Coke Escovedo
- "All SpiceAllspiceAllspice, also called Jamaica pepper, pepper, myrtle pepper, pimenta, or newspice, is a spice that is the dried unripe fruit of Pimenta dioica , a mid-canopy tree native to the Greater Antilles, southern Mexico, and Central America, now cultivated in many warm parts of the world...
" – 3:00- Produced by MF DOOM
- "LovageLovageLovage is a tall perennial plant, the sole species in the genus Levisticum, in the family Apiaceae, subfamily Apioideae, tribe Apieae.-Distribution:...
" – 3:57- Contains a sample from "True Love" by Faze-O.
- Produced by MF DOOM
- "EucalyptusEucalyptusEucalyptus is a diverse genus of flowering trees in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae. Members of the genus dominate the tree flora of Australia...
" – 2:44- Contains a sample from "Maiden Voyage" by Jon Lucien from the album Song For My Lady.
- Produced by MF DOOM
- "MyrrhMyrrhMyrrh is the aromatic oleoresin of a number of small, thorny tree species of the genus Commiphora, which grow in dry, stony soil. An oleoresin is a natural blend of an essential oil and a resin. Myrrh resin is a natural gum....
" – 6:36- Contains samples from "Friends" by WhodiniWhodiniWhodini is a hip hop group that was formed in 1981. The Brooklyn, New York-based trio consisted of vocalist and main lyricist Jalil Hutchins; co-vocalist John Fletcher, aka Ecstasy ; and turntable artist DJ Drew Carter, aka Grandmaster Dee.-Early years:Whodini was among the first hip-hop groups to...
, from the album EscapeEscape (Whodini album)Escape is the second album by hip-hop group Whodini, released in 1984 on the Jive label. The album spawned the hit singles "Five Minutes of Funk," "Friends," and "Freaks Come Out at Night". This was one the first rap albums ever to include a synclavier...
and from "Friends and Strangers" by Ronnie LawsRonnie LawsRonald Wayne "Ronnie" Laws is an American jazz, blues and funk saxophonist. He is the younger brother of jazz flautist Hubert Laws.-Biography:...
, from the album Friends And Strangers. - Produced by MF DOOM
- Contains samples from "Friends" by Whodini
Other versions
- "Saffron" is an instrumental version of "Doomsday" by MF DOOMMF DoomDaniel Dumile is a hip hop artist who has taken on several stage names in his career, most notably MF DOOM, where the "MF" stands for metal face, and for tracks he has produced, metal fingers...
, from the album Operation: DoomsdayOperation: DoomsdayOperation: Doomsday is the debut solo album by hip hop artist Daniel Dumile, under his MF DOOM alias, marking Dumile's return to the hip hop scene after KMD's demise...
. - "Arrow Root" is actually not an instrumental version of "Next Levels", it is in fact "Elder Blossoms" that is the instrumental of "Next Levels" by King Geedorah featuring Scienz of Life, from the album Take Me to Your LeaderTake Me to Your Leader (King Geedorah album)Take Me to Your Leader is the first full-length album released by Daniel Dumile under the alias 'King Geedorah'. Regarding the album, Dumile says,...
; it is also used by Spiga and King Caesar on "Ride The Arrow", from the X-Ray Monster Mixes 2 compilation. - "Zatar" is an instrumental version of "Foolish" by MF GrimmGM GrimmPercy Carey , also known by the stage names MF Grimm and originally Build and Destroy, is an American underground rapper, music producer and Eisner Award-nominated comic book writer from New York City.-Early life:...
featuring MF DOOM and Megalon, from the album The Downfall of Ibliys: A Ghetto OperaThe Downfall of Ibliys: A Ghetto OperaThe Downfall Of Ibliys: A Ghetto Opera is the full-length debut album by Manhattan, New York rapper MF Grimm, released on January 12, 2002 on his own independent label Day By Day Entertainment....
. - "Fenugreek" is an instrumental version of "1,2...1,2" by Monsta Island CzarsMonsta Island CzarsMonsta Island Czars is a hip-hop group based in New York City, New York, USA most notable for members MF Grimm and former member MF DOOM.-History:...
from the album Escape from Monsta Island!Escape from Monsta Island!Escape from Monsta Island! is the first full-length album released by the Monsta Island Czars, notably featuring Daniel Dumile under his King Geedorah/King Ghidra alias.This album is very highly regarded among underground hip-hop fans...
; it is also used by Ghostface KillahGhostface KillahDennis Coles , better known by his stage name Ghostface Killah, is an American rapper and prominent member of the Wu-Tang Clan. After the group achieved breakthrough success in the aftermath of Enter the Wu-Tang , the members went on to pursue solo careers to varying levels of success...
featuring the Wu-Tang ClanWu-Tang ClanThe Wu-Tang Clan is a hip-hop group from Staten Island that consists of RZA, GZA, Method Man, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, Inspectah Deck, U-God, Masta Killa, and the late Ol' Dirty Bastard. They are frequently joined by fellow childhood friend Cappadonna, a quasi member of the group...
on "9 Milli Bros.", from the album FishscaleFishscaleFishScale is the fifth studio album by American rapper and Wu-Tang Clan member Ghostface Killah, released March 28, 2006 on Def Jam in the United States. The album features guest appearances from every member of the Wu-Tang Clan, as well as Ghostface Killah's Theodore Unit...
. - "Sumac Berries" is an instrumental version of "Scientific Civilization" by Monsta Island Czars from Escape from Monsta Island!. It is also used by The John Robinson Project for "Indy 102", and by Ghostface Killah featuring Trife on "Jellyfish", from Fishscale.
- "Coriander" is an instrumental version of "Mic Line" by King Geedorah, from Escape from Monsta Island!.
- "Shallots" is an instrumental version of "Hands of Doom" by MF DOOM, from Operation: Doomsday.
- "Charnsuka" is an instrumental version of "?" by MF DOOM featuring Kurious, from the same album.
- "Monosodium Glutamate" is an instrumental version of "Rhymes Like Dimes" by MF DOOM featuring DJ Cucumber Slice, from the same album.
- "Red #40" is an instrumental version of "Make It Squash! (Got a Roc)" by Kong, Megalon, King Caesar and Rodan, from Escape from Monsta Island!. It is also used on "Bottle Rocket" by MF Grimm, from the MF DOOM collaboration album Special Herbs and Spices Volume 1Special Herbs and Spices Volume 1Special Herbs + Spices Vol. 1 is the third collaboration album released between American rappers MF DOOM and MF Grimm, released in 2004 on Grimm's own Day By Day Entertainment label. Unlike their previous works, this CD is solely focused on MF Grimm's rhyming over MF DOOM's production...
. - "Nettle Leaves" is an instrumental version of "Who You Think I Am?" by MF DOOM featuring King Caesar, Rodan, Megalon, Kamackeris and Kong, from Operation: Doomsday.
- "Mullein" is an instrumental version of "Live Wirez" by Gigan, from the X-Ray Monster Mixes 1 compilation. Sampled from Dragon Ball Z.
- "Mugwort" is an instrumental version of "Fastlane" by King Geedorah featuring Kurious, from Take Me to Your Leader. It is also used on "Shifting Lanes" by GM Grimm featuring Kurious, from Special Herbs and Spices Volume 1.
- "All Spice" is an instrumental version of "Kon Karne" by MF DOOM, from the album MM..Food?MM..Food?Mm.. Food is an album by American hip hop artist Daniel Dumile, his second full-length under the MF DOOM moniker. It was released on November 16, 2004 on Rhymesayers Entertainment.-Overview:...
. It was also to be used on "My Love" by GM Grimm from his triple album set American HungerAmerican HungerAmerican Hunger is a triple album released on CD. It was released in 2006 by Manhattan, New York rap artist MF Grimm. It is also the first triple album in hip-hop history...
, but owing to their recent disagreements Grimm substituted a different beat. - "Lovage" is an instrumental version of "Guinnesses" by MF DOOM featuring Angelika and 4ize, from MM..Food?.
- "Eucalyptus" is an instrumental version of "I.B.'s" by MF Grimm, from The Downfall of Ibliys: A Ghetto Opera.
- "Myrrh" is an instrumental version of "Deep Fried Frenz" by MF DOOM, from MM..Food?.
- "Metal Flowers", the hidden track after "Myrrh", is an instrumental version of "Beef Rapp" from the same album; later renamed "Vervain", it was also included on Special Herbs, Vols. 9 & 0Special Herbs, Vols. 9 & 0Special Herbs, Vols. 9 & 0 is an instrumental album released by Daniel Dumile under the moniker Metal Fingers. As with all volumes of Special Herbs released by Metal Fingers, each track is named after a herb or similar flora .Although an instrumental album, some tracks contain sampled speech, such...
.