With an interesting take on the hit and miss remix album genre, 4Hero release their effort as a generous double disc offering. Disc 1 showcases their own skills as remixers while disc 2 provides remixed versions of their self-penned tracks.

4Hero manage to stamp their luscious jazz fused electronica all over such classics as Nuyorican Souls ‘I am the Black Gold of the Sun’ resulting (arguably) with a track better than the original. Another interesting remix is of the Metalheadz track ‘Inner City Life’ showing how effortlessly drum and bass can revert to its jazz roots. On disk 2 Metalheadz return the favour with a sublime remix of ‘Universal Love’ with echoes of Goldie’s groundbreaking early work.

The range of remixers coupled with 4Hero’s own style sees so many musical styles slammed side by side it’s hard to give them all a fair mention in this review. Solid dance offerings come in the form of the Bugz in the Attic remix of ‘Hold it Down and Jazzanova’s ‘We Who Are Not As Others’. There’s hip-hop, there’s soul, there’s rare groove, breaks and funk.

In a nutshell there is something for everyone and enough common ground to ensure the listeners’ attention throughout, regardless of their proclaimed musical preference. In fact you really would struggle to find fault in even the weaker tracks given the context of the album, Restless Soul’s mix of ‘Ways of Thought for example, would still easily stand up on its own. Breathtaking.

words: Carl Brooks

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