4 Hero - The Awakening

4 Hero
The Awakening
Video

Play with the Changes will be their first album for 6 years in a prolific career that has gained critical acclaim, a Mercury nomination, MOBO award and widespread respect from the music fraternity. It is 4hero's duality of approach which makes them truly unique. Influenced by underground techno as much as Chicago soul, their music is a synthesis of past and future, artificial and organic, strange and familiar. Intertwining live and electronic sounds, 4hero create futuristic soul for real music heads.

True originators are thin on the ground but 4hero's claim is more robust than most. As pioneers of jungle and drum n bass, they massively changed the face of 90s music and made a huge contribution to dance culture. Forging ahead with new beats and new techniques, the London duo have released a steady stream of precious moments and crafted a sound which is entirely their own.

Play with the Changes is a richly textured and musically complex album. Fluttering, delicate beats mutate into orchestral excursions. Strings and live drums give way to abstract sounds and disjointed electronica. It features a role call of superior vocalists of the quality one has come to expect from 4hero, including Carina Andersson, whose contribution to 'Les Fleur' made it a straight up masterpiece. Poetess extraordinaire and long-time cohort Ursula Rucker lends her lyrical wisdom and Grammy award winning legend Jody Watley makes a special appearance. Daughter of Cosmic Jazz Bembe Segue, Bugz in the Attic's Kaidi Taitham, Phonte of Little Brother, Jack Davey (J*DaVeY) and Larry Mizell (who has written and produced for the Jackson 5, Marvin Gaye and countless others) join a host of new evolving talent.

Play With The Changes takes us on a hall of fame esque journey with an array of talented musicians, poets and singers. Their pedigree is beyond dispute and their music has always has a much deeper significance than simply moving the crowd.

This is an amazingly beautiful album with roots deep in blues, soul and with underlying tones of electronica this modern day twist is a fantastic come back for 4hero. You will not be disappointed!

Read the 'Play With The Changes' album review here