Cynics Unlimited

Artist: 4Hero
Album: Play with the Changes
Genre: R&B
Label: Milan Records
Year: 2007
Rating: 86%

Memo to dance music fans: dismiss all your expectations of 4Hero’s latest album. While the UK duo may be responsible for some of the earliest Jungle/Breakbeat hits (e.g. Mr Kirk’s Nightmare) and “deep” Drum & Bass, Dego and Marc Mac have nonetheless been gradually drifting away from electronic funk to explore more traditional sounds. Producers by trade, 4Hero relied heavily on collaborations with a bevy of semi-underground singers, MC’s and poets to implement what could be best described as a 21st century implementation of old-school soul.

Play with the Changes starts off epic, with the opening track showing the greatest dramatic flair. “Morning Child” wastes no time on subtle introduction, charging out the gates with a horn/string combination over sharp percussion stabs and the R&B styling of Carina Andersson. The follow-up “Take my Time” is modest by comparison and far more electronic-sounding, but still attempts to make its mark with minor-key horns and prolonged harmonizing. The title track is arguably the most adventurous on the album and evokes memories of some of the more experimental sounds of the 70’s R&B scene.

In fact, 4Hero clearly had the 70’s on their mind when producing “Play with the Changes”. Despite using leading edge equipment and technology (as evidenced by the razor-sharp engineering – second only to Lucy Pearl in terms of recent R&B releases), the duo were very liberal in their use of the horn sections, wall-of-sound style violins, analog warbles and even some fuzz guitar towards the end. R&B purists will be most pleased with the instrumental tracks “Sophia” and “Why don’t you talk”.

Not content with simply capturing the spirit of epic-sounding 1970’s soul, 4Hero went as far as to remake Stevie Wonder’s “Superwoman”. A possibly suicidal task, it’s no surprise that guest vocalist Terry Devos’ best fell just short of Mr. Wonder. Still, his effort was commendable and Superwoman spent a lot of time in “repeat” mode on my CD player.

On that note, it is important for fans and potential listeners to remember that 4Hero neither attempt to expand on earlier Drum n Bass releases nor endeavour to create the next “Songs in the Key of Life”. Instead, Play with the Changes offers a modern, experimental implementation of what many listeners consider the last truly “soulful” era of R&B. The results are nothing if not listenable.

Track Listing:

1. Morning Child - featuring Carina Andersson
2. Take My Time - featuring Jack Davey
3. Look Inside - featuring FACE
4. Sink Or Swim (No Choice For Me) - featuring Lady Alma
5. Give In - featuring Darien Brockington & Phonte of Little Brother
6. Play With The Changes - featuring Talita Long & Larry Mizell
7. Something In the Way - featuring Bembe Segue & Kaidi Taitham
8. Stoke Up The Fire - featuring FACE
9. The Awakening - featuring Ursula Rucker
10. Sophia
11. Superwoman (Where Were You When I Needed You?) - featuring Terry Devos
12. Why Don’t You Talk?
13. Bed Of Roses - featuring Jody Watley
14. Gonna Give It Up (Wanna Quit) - featuring Lady Alma
15. Dedication To The Horse