4hero
Play With The Changes
Raw Canvas/Vital

After pioneering some of the sounds of jazzy drum'n'bass and jungle in the nineties, 4hero's subsequent releases saw the London duo move towards the organic sounds of nu-jazz and soul, and in the process created a sound that is unique. 'Play With The Changes' has been six years in the making, and it continues to showcase 4hero as an unmatched talent with a rich and textured sound.

Much like their previous nu-jazz releases, they have utilised a bevy of superb vocalists to add an extra dimension to their creatively layered sounds. Carissa Anderson, the voice behind the unforgettable Les Fleur, opens the album with the delicate Morning Child, and Grammy Award winning r'n'b queen Jody Watley makes an appearance in the soulful drum'n'bass track of Bed Of Roses. Not limiting themselves to using vocalists, 4hero turns to long time collaborator, poet and spoken word legend Ursula Rucker to feature in The Awakening.

4hero show that they can also excel with their instrumental productions, with the beautiful and emotive Sophia and the jazz infused excursion of Why Don't You Talk? Other album highlights include the gritty funk of Sink Or Swim (No Choice For Me) and 4hero's own rendition of the classic Stevie Wonder number Superwoman (Where Were You When I Needed You?).

It's been a long time between album releases for 4hero, but they haven't lost any of that magic touch that has seen them held in high esteem with not only those in dance culture, but music heads all round. This album is rich in sounds and textures and represents 4hero's visions of a unique brand of futuristic soul music.

Leo Varona