Customer Reviews

Remix Album

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

 

 

A sort of 4 Hero retrospective, THE REMIX ALBUM features remixes of and by 4 Hero, probably one of the more influential electronic groups out there. Pioneers in both drum `n' bass and future jazz, 4 Hero has been prolific in their work. The remixes that they feature on their first disc shows a penchant for jazziness and their interest in the music of peoples of color: we have reworks of the Latin fusion of Nuyorican Soul and Marcos Valle, the proto techno of Japan's YMO, hip-hop from Scarface, and Goldie's drum `n' bass classic "Inner City Life." No surprises here: their thoughtful downtempo take on Ultra Nate's "Twisted" and Terry Callier's "Love Theme from Spartacus" glow with emotion and power. Their version of John Coltrane's "Naima" is absolutely stunning. On the 2nd disc, it's a testament to 4 Hero's songwriting skills that they can be translated into so many different modes, from broken beat (via Bugz in the Attic) to deep house (Masters at Work) or hip-hop (Visioneers). There's a veritable who's-who of future jazz luminaries: Jazzanova, Restless Soul, New Sector Movements and King Britt. If you've been a devoted 4 Hero fan, you probably already own most of these mixes, but why not have them all in one convenient place? It certainly bears repeated listens.

The Remix Album, Volume 1, is quite exquisite in that it shows 4hero's musical progression from early Jungle/Drum n' Bass to more Nujazz/Brokenbeat forms. The choice cuts of 4hero remixes in addition to the cherry-picked remixes of 4hero tunes really rises to the occasion. I would definitely recommend the album to long-standing 4hero fans, as well as well as to those new to the group.

I purchased this for the first song, I Am The Black Gold Of The Sun, and love the first CD, esp the first 3 cuts. (A 2-CD set) The drummer is unbelievable talented. I recommend it.

2004 was a big year for broken beats. Seemed like 2003 was fresh, yet 2004 was the time that it really started to sink into the sound systems and we had great releases by The Bugz in the Attic and 4 Hero, among several others, to thank for it. 4 Hero won't be new to anyone that's a fan of the sound - their last two albums are broken beat/soul legends for anyone that puts together a playlist.

And this remix album is a testament to their versatility and the musicians they've worked with. Disc 1 is a compilation of songs that they'd remade and done up while disc 2 is other dj's and musicians returning the favor on his work. Sorta like Jazzanova's two albums 1997-2000, but together in one neat package. Disc one is, admittedly, my favorite of the two. 4 Hero can put together one slammin' mixed set. From the opening deep, deep, deep soul remake of "I Am the Black Gold of the Sun", they give the Nuyorican Soul a juiced up broken beat bridge for half the cut. Won't make you forget the Rotary Connection/Minnie Ripperton but the quality's still there. Ultra Nate's "Twisted" is given a sexy guitar and effects face-lift. But "Having Your Fun" by Phil Asher/Focus is when you get the meat of the cuts to mix with. What a vibe! It's also followed up with the version of "Give in To Me" that I prefer. Disc one is so diverse; there's some Brazil there with a percussion/break heavy remake to "Espcape" and then you've got a crazy cool version of the classic "Naima" to close out the cd.

To me, CD1 alone warrants the purchase. That's not to say that CD2 didn't have it's fair share of tracks (Jazzanova, Bugz, MAW's remixes were the highlights). But that one's just not as strong IMO. Regardless, check this out! And keep in mind that when I picked it up, it was nowhere NEAR the $40+ bucks they're looking for here. And if you dig it, give a listen to a few Trust the DJ cd's, Afterdark: Paris, Compost artists like Beanfield, Jazzanova or try Truby Trio's "Re-Treated" project. The vinyl pack of this is also sensational for spinning and has the essentials, but it does NOT have all of the cuts on the two cd version. Now if only we could get Nicola Conte to put out a double set of his remixes...

These two CDs are divided into one disc of 4hero remixing other people, and then another disc of other people remixing 4hero. 4hero's remixes of others are half brilliant, and half okay. I prefer 4hero's recent broken beat production to their mid-90's drum'n'bass, so if you like d&b you might dig the tracks that I'm lukewarm on. The "Remixed" disc, though, is uniformly excellent. Great players like Jazzanova (a lot of you will already have this mix though), Bugz In The Attic, Masters At Work, DJ Spinna, Metalheadz and King Britt all take their turns at reinterpreting 4hero.