VI.BE

After releasing their electronic punk-rap album with FOKKOP.EЯA, Brussels vocalist Herb Cells and pianist Martin Daniel are stripping things down. With FOKKOP. UNPLUGGD, they trade the synths for a grand piano and double bass to create a raw, poetic blend of jazz and spoken word. On stage, they are joined by a killer rhythm section featuring Anaïs Moffarts (bass) and Ben Tequi (drums).

Their debut album, ‘The Imposter Acoustic’ (feat. veteran Nic Thys on bass), rolled off the assembly line as the landmark 400th release of legendary Belgian label IGLOO Records. It ranked into the Top 3 of Europe Jazz Network’s August chart, offering an original, elaborate and fresh contribution to a legacy inspired by Gil Scott-Heron, E. Truffaz & NYA, Guru’s Jazzmatazz, and The Roots.

The band is highly versatile live. They can play 100% acoustic for intimate rooms or switch to their Fender Rhodes configuration—bringing a psychedelic, vintage-electric vibe that bridges the gap between classic jazz clubs and alternative festival stages.

The “God Auction” Video, the album single.

Painting their vision’s picture, the animated music video for “God Auction” is out! Crafted entirely with coffee and ink drawings by Herb Cells himself, it addresses liquidation of rusted dogmas and failing scapegoat-gods, held hostage by narcissistic predators in power suits. Who is your god, by the way? (Only the paper?)

ALBUM PRESS

Europ Jazz Network : top 3 selection of surfacing new albums in their August 2026 Media Chart

JazzHalo mag BE / album review (Dutch) by Georges Tonla Bricquet (03/09/26)

" (...) 'Straight Outta Swampton' is, of course, a direct reference to the movie Straight Outta Compton, set in the eponymous Los Angeles neighborhood. Here, the playground is 'Broekzele' (Brussels), which originally grew along a swamp. It tells the story of the European capital, and above all, encapsulates its current social climate in a nutshell, driven by rolling piano lines and a tailored rhythm section. A New York Lou Reed-esque atmosphere, but very much 'made in Brussels.' A superb introduction!” (translated fragment from Dutch language)

Jazzmania.be / album review (French) by Yves Tassin (20.07.26) :

"... No one knows who whispered the name of rapper Herbert Celis (aka Herb Cells) to the label bosses, but let them know right away that we thank them! This is all the more surprising since we could have expected something more conventional to celebrate the 400th release of the Brussels-based label. (...) No matter how much you turn this record over in your hands, from front to back, there is absolutely nothing to throw away." (translated fragment from French)

Jazzques BE/ album review (French) by Jacques Prouvost (07.08.26) :

"I recommend starting your listening experience of this album with Side B, featuring 'Tinder Struck.' For Nicolas Thys' deep, jagged bass line, Martin Daniel's bursts of piano, and Ben Tequi's slaps of the brushes. And then, the spoken word of Herb Cells. Herb Cells is an artist in every sense of the word, playing outside the lines. (...) The disillusioned voice, the words that weep and die, bring to mind early Eric Mingus. A flow that pours out. We could also find references among the galaxy of The Last Poets and Gil Scott-Heron, but Fokkop firmly imposes its own style between jazz and raw hip-hop. (…)" (translated fragment from French language)