Customer Reviews

Creating Patterns

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Following up the universally impressive & ambitious Breakbeat / Electronica "Two Pages" that was released in 1998 and became something of a underground classic, was never going to be easy proposition. And for the 2001 follow-up, rather than retread the breakbeat patterns of the last album, in a climate where musical genres has shifted focus, they have instead (in theory) built an album of Nu-Jazz / Broken Beat experiments, with a impressive collection of vocalists to bring these tracks to life.

For those worried that this emphasis on vocalists meant, that there wasn't going to be the sublime instrumentals that 4-Hero do so well, need not worry. because tracks such as the skittering and gracefully freewheeling efforts such as "Conceptions", "Something Nothing" & " "Eight" retain that reliably earthy & elaborate organic sound that 4-Hero are applauded for. But it must be said that as excellent as these tracks are, the vocal collaborations are the highlights here....

"Time", featuring "Ursula Rucker" plays to the strengths of what she does best, and that's to put spoken word & socially aware wordplay to the backing of minimal jazz arrangements. Uncompromising, intense and Cerebral. It's heady music for sure, and is as intense as hell. But props to 4-hero, for not being tempted into making track resembling aural wallpaper, with inane diagloue planted over the top.

"Another Day" sees the music move subtly from the more moodily constructed beats of "Time" into something more elegant & smooth Nu-Soul referencing. The on-board vocalist for this remarkable effort is "Jill Scott", and only her truly remarkable vocal (and it is remarkable) could make a song with the mundane subject matter of being 'too tired to get up and go to work' sound as soaring and passionate as a classic old-skool soul....in a word Marvellous.

The Broken beat sound get's an introduction here, in the form of "Hold it Down", and it's one of the most upbeat tracks on offer here, and with some excellent drum programming and percussive breakbeat experiments with a clear nod to Jazz-fusion with its sampled soul chorus, which makes up the backbone of the vocal here. Its similar in style, to some of the more recognised artists in the broken Beat genre ("New Sector Movements (NSM)", "Two Banks of Four"), and actually remains one of my favourite tracks on this album, due to its groove and immediacy.

Taking a cue from the beat Poetry of 'Gil Scott-heron', with one eye on the uncomprimising, engaging songwriting skills that depict the gradually declining social environment, self-Conscious, incisive, confrontational lyrics, mixed with stirring, rousing contemporary production heavily influenced by Jazz. This (like 'Ursula Rucker's' effort), brings some heavyweight substance to the tracklisting, in amongst all the beautifully string arrangements & instrumentals that comprise this album. It manages to just pip Ursula's effort, due to being slightly more direct and articulate, and the more immediately thought-provoking of the two (although musically, Ursula has the edge), irrespective of that, this is stirring stuff.

For the last half of the album, where usually, in these sorts of albums, it tends to lag. 4-Hero have wisely tightened their belts and put some strong tracks for the last half. Apart from a couple of gorgeous lengthy instrumentals in the form of "Eight" & "2-BS-74638", but the reworking of "Minnie Riperton's - Les Fleur" is easily one of the best singles that 4-Hero have ever created, all heavy sensual string arrangements, thrilling instruments performances, welded together with euphoric soaring vocal choruses with a nod to classic Rythm & Soul, it's a heart-jerking moment for sure, and is definitely one the undisputed hightlights of the album.

But, The tricky question is.....'Should you buy it??'

Well....if you're a 4-hero fan, and have at least 2 of their albums, then this is a must, as it's the band shifting direction yet again (bear in mind, they started as a 'Jungle/Drum n Bass' act in the early 90's, then moved into the more melodic/ jazz-fusion end of breakbeat in the late 90's), now find themselves, positioned to embrace the more lucrative 'Nu-Jazz' / 'Broken Beat' / Jazz-House genre that an artist like "Jazzanova" inhibit. So those hoping for some of the more Drum/beat orientated tracks from the "Two Pages" album may well be disappointed (or even worse, dismiss this album). And whilst I'm using "Two Pages" as a reference, This album may lack the diversity of "Two Pages", with fewer immediately obvious standout tracks, such as "Star Chasers", "Spirits in Transit" & "We Who Are Not as Others" & "In the Shadows", to match the sprawling masterpiece that is "Two Pages". But "Creating patterns" is more tightly focused and less indulgent than the previous album, with each track featured here, standing admirably in its own right, and with some tracks natural progressions from the last album, and less Dense & concentrated a listening experience. Is it better than "Two Pages"........well, its a very close call. And I'd have to say that "Two pages" nudges ahead of "Creating Patterns" for being a (ever so slightly) more memorable album. And so I suggest if your new to 4-Hero, start with that first, and then make this tremendous album your next purchase.

the evolution of 4 Hero is very interesting. some have said they get more commercial, i don't think its fair. agreed, this is not drum and bass as we knew it. but 4 Hero (check out what they do under the Tek 9 name as well) has always been a step ahead of the competition. like in 2 Pages, they use violins and other acoustic instruments. but there is more variety on Creating Patterns. It's been the only disc in my cd player for 5 days...

Following up the universally impressive & ambitious Breakbeat / Electronica "Two Pages" that was released in 1998 and became something of a underground classic, was never going to be easy proposition. And for the 2001 follow-up, rather than retread the breakbeat patterns of the last album, in a climate where musical genres has shifted focus, they have instead (in theory) built an album of Nu-Jazz / Broken Beat experiments, with a impressive collection of vocalists to bring these tracks to life.

For those worried that this emphasis on vocalists meant, that there wasn't going to be the sublime instrumentals that 4-Hero do so well, need not worry. because tracks such as the skittering and gracefully freewheeling efforts such as "Conceptions", "Something Nothing" & " "Eight" retain that reliably earthy & elaborate organic sound that 4-Hero are applauded for. But it must be said that as excellent as these tracks are, the vocal collaborations are the highlights here....

"Time", featuring "Ursula Rucker" plays to the strengths of what she does best, and that's to put spoken word & socially aware wordplay to the backing of minimal jazz arrangements. Uncompromising, intense and Cerebral. It's heady music for sure, and is as intense as hell. But props to 4-hero, for not being tempted into making track resembling aural wallpaper, with inane diagloue planted over the top.

"Another Day" sees the music move subtly from the more moodily constructed beats of "Time" into something more elegant & smooth Nu-Soul referencing. The on-board vocalist for this remarkable effort is "Jill Scott", and only her truly remarkable vocal (and it is remarkable) could make a song with the mundane subject matter of being 'too tired to get up and go to work' sound as soaring and passionate as a classic old-skool soul....in a word Marvellous.

The Broken beat sound get's an introduction here, in the form of "Hold it Down", and it's one of the most upbeat tracks on offer here, and with some excellent drum programming and percussive breakbeat experiments with a clear nod to Jazz-fusion with its sampled soul chorus, which makes up the backbone of the vocal here. Its similar in style, to some of the more recognised artists in the broken Beat genre ("New Sector Movements (NSM)", "Two Banks of Four"), and actually remains one of my favourite tracks on this album, due to its groove and immediacy.

Taking a cue from the beat Poetry of 'Gil Scott-heron', with one eye on the uncomprimising, engaging songwriting skills that depict the gradually declining social environment, self-Conscious, incisive, confrontational lyrics, mixed with stirring, rousing contemporary production heavily influenced by Jazz. This (like 'Ursula Rucker's' effort), brings some heavyweight substance to the tracklisting, in amongst all the beautifully string arrangements & instrumentals that comprise this album. It manages to just pip Ursula's effort, due to being slightly more direct and articulate, and the more immediately thought-provoking of the two (although musically, Ursula has the edge), irrespective of that, this is stirring stuff.

For the last half of the album, where usually, in these sorts of albums, it tends to lag. 4-Hero have wisely tightened their belts and put some strong tracks for the last half. Apart from a couple of gorgeous lengthy instrumentals in the form of "Eight" & "2-BS-74638", but the reworking of "Minnie Riperton's - Les Fleur" is easily one of the best singles that 4-Hero have ever created, all heavy sensual string arrangements, thrilling instruments performances, welded together with euphoric soaring vocal choruses with a nod to classic Rythm & Soul, it's a heart-jerking moment for sure, and is definitely one the undisputed hightlights of the album.

But, The tricky question is.....'Should you buy it??'

Well....if you're a 4-hero fan, and have at least 2 of their albums, then this is a must, as it's the band shifting direction yet again (bear in mind, they started as a 'Jungle/Drum n Bass' act in the early 90's, then moved into the more melodic/ jazz-fusion end of breakbeat in the late 90's), now find themselves, positioned to embrace the more lucrative 'Nu-Jazz' / 'Broken Beat' / Jazz-House genre that an artist like "Jazzanova" inhibit. So those hoping for some of the more Drum/beat orientated tracks from the "Two Pages" album may well be disappointed (or even worse, dismiss this album). And whilst I'm using "Two Pages" as a reference, This album may lack the diversity of "Two Pages", with fewer immediately obvious standout tracks, such as "Star Chasers", "Spirits in Transit" & "We Who Are Not as Others" & "In the Shadows", to match the sprawling masterpiece that is "Two Pages". But "Creating patterns" is more tightly focused and less indulgent than the previous album, with each track featured here, standing admirably in its own right, and with some tracks natural progressions from the last album, and less Dense & concentrated a listening experience. Is it better than "Two Pages"........well, its a very close call. And I'd have to say that "Two pages" nudges ahead of "Creating Patterns" for being a (ever so slightly) more memorable album. And so I suggest if your new to 4-Hero, start with that first, and then make this tremendous album your next purchase.

This is how modern, discerning dance music should be made today. 4 Hero managed to create a complex, colorful, sometimes overwhelming, universe of sounds & musics, that is totally satisfying for beatheads and admirers of quality cross-over jazzy music alike. If you are, or you've ever been, into quality black music you'll definitely love this work. If only more 'electronica' artists could make more music like this...

This English duo have produced quite a vast album here,with many musical influences that makes this album very difficult to categorize.Unlike other duos like Groove Armada,Zero 7 and Kinobe they seem to work quite differently in that they rarely write any of the tracks together.There are some simlilarities to those groups I've just mentioned-but the main difference would be that this c.d. is far less dance oriented and veers more to a type of classical meets acid jazz.You can also add a fair dose of soul which comes via some of their marvellous guest vocalists.

The album opens with a very ambient,chilled out track which seems to mix jazzy sounds to Indian sounds courtesy of the fact that they use tambura,tabla and Indian harp,which are amazingly well played by session players.The strings are delicate and quite understated and it's a very gentle opener.The mood remains pretty much chilled out for the second track-drum and bass beats,more wondrous strings and a soulful dialogue from Ursula Rucker.Many of the tracks on this c.d. are pretty long and track 3 comes in at nearly 7 minutes.The funky build up is very gradual and it soon paves the way for an even funkier dance track with Shirley Bassey like vocals.The synths are quite similar to a Jamiroquai sound."Twothesme" builds up very slowly like many of the tracks here.It's another instrumental track which has funky synths again being backed this time by very heavy 'phat' beats.Then after a while a really amazing brass section enters and this song really takes off and goes down a crazy meandering road of it's own and you're never quite sure where this track is going to end up.It's high quality stuff,but it's totally riveting.It's laidback but what appears like a contradiction the music keeps you on the edge of your seat.Jill Scott makes a truly special appearance on track 5.It's a really catchy soulful,jazzy number with her velvet voice assisted by a full compliment of strings and brass.A great track!

The next section of the c.d. opens with the track "Hold It Down".This track is really interesting again with a slightly salsa rhythm and lead vocals from Lady Alma,in a track that wouldn't sound out of place on a Groove Armada c.d."Unique" is one of the few tracks where guitars have a key role to play-even though this guitar sound is heavily disguised.Strong wah-wah guitars meet latin acoustic in a verse that's all acid jazz and then a chorus that explodes all latino energy.Latino rhythms continue in the next track which is pretty short and quite commercial.This song plays a greater importance on acousitc rhythms and instruments.The next track "Ways Of Thought" is another album highlight.Furious beats-almost latino meet drum and bass,more strings,moog synths and silky voclas from Face.All the tracks in this section 6-9 use female vocalists.
The sound changes considerably for the next instrumental track-techno drum machines;effects you'd expect from Aphex Twin.Despite some interjections from other instruments it all seems very disjointed and it's a very "difficult" track.Skipping on to track 12 which is a fascinating track which blends African rhythms to Japanese instruments.All this is as a backdrop to more spoken word from Mark Murphy-who talks about a 'New Age'.The track is most memorable for it's African sound which is pulsating.The next track has a title that makes no sense-"2-BS-74638"-but it's very different to the others in that there aren't quite as many layers of sound on this one-it's just drums and keyboards.Then we head to the albums finale and one of the highlights-"Les Fleur".This track is instantly recognisable to me but I have no idea from where-even though I read on this website that it's a reworking of a Minnie Riperton classic.To be honest it sounds like the finale to a major show or musical.It's very catchy,has jazz influence and seems to break off into many sections-which explains why so many people are credited with playing on this track.It's one of the years most astounding tracks and this track alone is really worth checking out.The final track is simply breathtaking in it's beauty.Terry Callier sings and plays lead guitar.It's so completely different again from what's been heard previously.It starts off sounding quite new acoustic movement and then proceeds to be driven along again by wonderful orchestration and I have to mention the bass which is superb on this track and on the album as a whole.
It will take quite a while and a good few listening hours to get used to this c.d.I've had it for a while now and I'm still noticing new sections and elements to the album.Worth investigating!

the evolution of 4 Hero is very interesting. some have said they get more commercial, i don't think its fair. agreed, this is not drum and bass as we knew it. but 4 Hero (check out what they do under the Tek 9 name as well) has always been a step ahead of the competition. like in 2 Pages, they use violins and other acoustic instruments. but there is more variety on Creating Patterns. It's been the only disc in my cd player for 5 days...

For about three years now, I have come to love this '4 Hero' for their alternative 'jazzy-tech' sound. A little research showed me that these guys were more than just DJ's or 'remixers', they have preserved a period of time in music before the onslaught of exploitation and the "video age".Being from the UK, with a population that shows more appreciation,it's easier for them to promote the very roots of modern soul and jazz music, while at the same time cleverly creating a new musical sound that combines and trancends classical,hip-hop, jazz and R&B.

I don't think it would be much of an exaggeration to call Creating Patterns a masterpiece. Because it is -- a masterpiece of electronic jazz. 4 Hero have come so far since their early days as drum `n' bass pioneers that it's astounding to see their transformation. The opening track, "Conceptions," sets the standard with its thoughtful and smooth instrumentation. The rhythmic sense is still intact, as evidenced by the careful and complex drumming on "Golden Solitude." The highlight, for me, is the quiet and truthful "Another Day," featuring the soft vocals of Jill Scott -- it describes how I feel all the time. The Spanish vocals on "Unique" add a different flair, and the chorus on the hippie anthem "Les Fleur" will lift you to another plane. Terry Callier's soulfulness on "The Day of the Greys" makes it transcendent. What are you still waiting for?

4hero is an electronic, creative drum and bass unit who work with similar elements as the jazz-fusion, organic interplay of The Cinematic Orchestra, except in a more programmable context such as Jazzanova, offering a solidly sophisticated, expertly produced combo of vocal and instrumental dance-floor drive.

4hero consists of two UK musician/producer/DJs, Marc and Dego. They have been pioneers in UK drum and bass and in the spirit of jazz musicians, tend to experiment and explore at the fringes.

One of the guys is into 70s rare funk/soul with lush strings and positive lyrics, while the other is more into abstract, electronically-produced drum & bass.

What you hear on the LP prior to this, "Two Pages" is these two styles explored separately, on two separate CDs. On this outing, however, Marc and Dego have fused the two styles into one CD, and you have to appreciate that to really give this album a chance.

I am very much into both these forms of music, so for me this album works more often than not. For example "Twothesme" begins with a programmed, electronic theme, which merges into a live instrumental performance of the same theme. Elsewhere, the use of live musicians brings warmth to some otherwise challenging electronic compositions.

There are some standout, beautiful songs on here that should not be overlooked. The cover of Minnie Riperton's classic "Les Fleur" is a lush orchestration which builds to a soulful crescendo (it was used here in Australia for a Bailey's commercial). Their second Ursula Rucker collaboration is a touching two-part story of a fallen soul seeking redemption. Guest singers and poets Jill Scott, Terry Callier and Mark Murphy bring sass, poignancy and new age positivism respectively to the album. Marc and Dego's production skills are top notch and while their unique sound may not appeal to all, they are a group with their eye on the future while having feet firmly grounded in their musical roots.

Incidentally I saw 4hero DJ in Brighton once and was blown away by how well they fused rare funk with drum and bass in their sets. They are multitalented and worth keeping an eye on.