4 Hero Plays With the Changes

This was meant to be a pre-release posting, but I learn we have 2 more weeks to wait for 4Hero's latest opus 'Play With the Changes.' I don't use that word thoughtlessly, for that is what ever 4Hero release has been. Each seems to usher in a totally new 4Hero, with a new sound - and new genres even. I won't run down their amazing history, that is what wikipedia can do now...

In Play With the Changes, Dego and Marc Mac conjure up an vintage jazzy soul that harks to the golden days. But when you listen closer and hear the modern (west london) electronic bits and advanced the drum patterns you think this is the future. Charles Stephney is definitely in the building, which makes sense after their fantastic homage to Chess/Cadet last year. We've heard bits of this sounds before - most obviously in their accalimed covers like Les Fluer, Black Gold of the Sun and Wishful Thinking. But those who expected a broken beat album are mostly disappointed (a mostly good thing).

This album really goes all out with the guest vocalists. Beyond the superb job of Carina Anderson (les fluer), there's Ursula Rucker, Jody Watley, Bembe Segue, Darien Brockington, Phonte of Little Brother, Jack Davey (J*DaVeY) and Larry Mizell.


4 Hero - Superwoman Where Were You When I Needed You (f/ Terry D) from Play With the Changes - One of those dangerous covers of classics, and they keep it respectful, but check the 4hero build half way through.

4 Hero ft. J Davey - Take My Time - Some of the finest work we've heard yet from the hot soul Angeleno's (who is apparently reinventing theirselves - )

This might be my favorite album of theirs yet, which is saying a lot, especially considering their recent work:

4Hero on the web:
Marc Mac's radio show Dollis Hill Sessions on Nu Wave Radio
Marc Mac's How About a Game of Chess (ABB Soul) LP
Marc Mac's Visioneers - Dirty Old Hip-Hop(BBE) LP
Dego (and KaidiTaitham's) Silhouette Brown - S/T (Ether) LP
4 Hero's compilation for Lifetsyles (Harmless UK) LP
4 Hero on You Tube
What they were up to a year and a half ago, according to yours truly.

UPDATE: I remembered a couple other 4Hero related bits of digitalia. Marc Mac has a new podcast site, where he's posted a mix of classic 4 Hero tunes called 'Coffee Table Classics' amongst other things. Also, Gilles' has got a podcast featuring a good talk with Marc Mac.