Customer Reviews

Two Pages (UK)

5 star:		(22)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

When anyone thinks of a pioneer within the `Intelligent Drum `n' Bass genre, you be forgive for naming "Ltj Bukem" as your obvious choice. Yet 4 Hero deserves nearly as much Kudos as Bukem as they produced their first album way back in 1991 ("In Rough Territory") creating funky breaks, with smooth Drum `n' Bass which included downtempo Electronica to marvellous effect. At it was this album "2 Pages" (along with their best album "Parallel Universe") that they really find their stride as this effort oozes confidence & style....and finding their own market of fans, without having to appeal to fans of Ltj bukem (in fact its entirely possible that you can appreciate their work or become a fan, without being a fan of Ltj Bukem). And at 19 tracks long, there's going to have to be some seriously good content to keep (at hold) the listeners attention.....luckily such worries needn't be a worry as they have all the bases covered from Dancefloor grooves, Melodic Electronica, funky Breakbeat, Intelligent Drum `n' Bass, and with several guest vocalist providing more than ample support and track 11 "Star Chasers" more than emphasises how Vocal Breakbeat tracks in the hands of a capable producer can produce music as beautiful as one would expect from a Soul / Ballard Track...(admittedly this is backed up by a sterling arrangement of Trombones, Cello's, Trumpets, Piano & Volin. So far in fact, that although not recognised as widely, as the bone as fide classics of mr Bukem's best works, It undoubtedly a richer and (whisper it) more melodic / Beautiful sounding album???

And it is only boring if you are spiritually anesthetized. The D'n'B purists will gripe, and the listeners with gnatlike attention span will carp about being 'bored' but don't listen to them.

This is music for people who are still ready to be surprised by music.

Other reviewers have commented on the lush strings, inventive programming and soulful vocals. I will simply add another endorsement to the pile.

Let the naysayers have their say, by all means, but do not deprive yourself of one of the most moving, beautiful albums of the last decade.

'Nuff said.

Words cannot express how much I love this album! I didn't catch on to 4 Hero until I heard them on Jill Scott's Experience album in 2001 with the single "Another Day/Gotta Get Up". Since then I have made it a quest of mine to have everything released by this talented duo. Two Pages, is really one of the most enjoyable experiences I have had listening to an album as a whole, every song is perfect, and complemented by the tracks surrounding it. Do yourself a favor and, a get a hold of this Drum n' Bass masterpiece.

I heard 4 Hero described as DnB.After hearing their song "Journey from the Light" I was impressed, so I downloaded random tracks.The first being a song called "Spirits in Transit".This song couldn't be farther from traditional DnB if it tried.Which is what I would have to say about the entire album.That is exactly what makes this such an impressive cd, 4 Hero's ability to tap into some older styles(jazz,early IDM..ect)
and do it well.This cd comes off less as an electronica cd as it does a theater album.Heavy jazz influences and very rich percussion add to 2 Pages's "big sound".Be warned, this is not for you Junglists, rather its more geared toward the intellectual minded listener.You don't have to be a fan of Electronic music to enjoy this album.Very nice work.

NOT DnB...THAT'S CERTAINLY NOT WHAT I HEARD...IT'S MORE LIKE "ORCHESTRAL ACOUSTIC JAZZY FUTURE SOUND" AND, YES! what you've heard others say about it is all true...I've never even heard of 4 hero until one day I heard a demo track -- "Planeteria", and couldn't shut my jaw tight all day...it was absolutely the most astonishing musical experience I had ever experienced...completely opened up my ears and forever changed my concept of how "music" should be defined and could be made...I liked it so much I bought this CD twice! I got both the UK original and the US release just to see what was different (less tracks on US version)...This to me is the album of the last decade...it's in a class of its own...and PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE DON'T put this album in the dnb section..it doesn't deserve that...4 Hero practically invented dnb (along with a few others), and now they lead the way again with cutting edge pioneering work which penetrates classical bounds...actually, they smashed it...and fused classical orchestral elements with mad acoustic drums...almost all of the materials are acoustic...SO, PUT THIS CD RIGHT AT THE ENTRANCE OF THE MUSIC STORE WHERE IT DESERVES! you really need to listen to this...I guarantee that you would find it most amazing and entertaining...I've listened to it for a year now, and I still listen to it almost everyday...it's even hard to pick my favorite tracks on this..but if I had to, I'd say "planeteria" and "wishful thinking" are the very best...BUY IT!

I bought this album last year just because I read about it in some magazines - this was exactly the way I met Roni Size and Air, for some examples. Man, if you listen to this CD, it`ll simply blow your mind, just as it did to me! Marc and Dego has mixed the `cold` d&b with `warm` soul and jazz. The result? Amazingly intelligent and hot stuff. This really can make your day fine. I can only recommend it to you, for me it is one of my favourites.

Just a few words sum up this album....buy it or miss the best musical life experience you will ever have.Life is too short not to play this everyday.

This album is has me thinking in a new way--expandig beyond the norm and digging into the surreal. Listening to this CD can literally make your day. All of the tracks except 3 or 4 are superb. The streams of music, coupled with the jazzy beats and beautiful vocals make for one of the best albums I've ever purchased. Get it now!

Marc Mac and Dego are incredible. This cd changes jungle completley. The orchestral work in this cd is what makes it so alluring.The songs themselves are simple beautiful. Unfortunatley, 4hero isnt coming out with another album in the distant future which is a pity. It brings drum and bass back to where it used to be, before the obsession with darkstep. Buy this, it incorperates so many other types of music besides jungle, thats what makes it so good

This album goes beyond the conventions (read: cliches) oftoday's drum 'n' bass and blurs the line between electronica andjazz. Expect to find a real live drummer complimenting the programming as well as a nice upright bass that fans of Roni Size's "New Forms" will be able to appreciate. Ursula Rucker's spoken word on the opening track is a nice touch.