I tend to always describe 4hero’s music as drum n bass, knowing full well the misguided image that will build in people’s minds. The huge reach of the genre means it embraces many forms and 4hero has been setting the standard in the beautiful instrumental/percussion side of things since 1992.

Two Pages is a hefty double album and the third offering from the notorious English pair Mark ‘Marc Mac’ Clair & Dennis ‘Dego’ McFarlane. Released back in 1998 on Giles Peterson’s famous Talkin Loud label it is arguably their most famous offering, earning them that year a Mobo and a place on the shortlist for a Mercury Music Prize.

When I say this will change you’re life, I’m semi-serious. A rare understated piece of music, some will understand it’s positive nature and be excited with finding a new form of music, others may find it too lengthy. But what it’s sure to do is turn even the biggest DnB syncs to adoring percussion fanatic’s.

The album doesn’t only illustrate the progressive nature of 4hero as well as their post-junglist influenc but also their infectious love for so much instrumentation. Innovative and experimental, the duo’s concept of endless time and manipulation of pitch makes for brilliant production. An observation no more clearer so than on ‘Golden Age Of Life’. Piano chords, lengthy strung harps and edgy string additions build the scene before the recognisable rapid tap and snare take flight with soulful vocals.

But it’s the beautiful and truly timeless ‘Planetaria‘ that takes the biscuit in terms of mind-bending awe! A song that producers spend their whole life trying to achieve, the dominating double bass dictates to a swaying clarinet holding very much it’s own in a sea of contagious broken beat. The clever slight insertions from other instruments like small bongos and again strings is just pure boastful.

Upbeat, velocity driven ‘Third stream‘ is mesmerising as well, while sax led ‘Universal Reprise‘ is in need of little description. ‘Loveless‘ with thought provoking words from spoken word famed and female activist Ursula Rucker over a vibrant backdrop of sound is another stand out track that will have you unreachable for hours.

Words Ali Raymond

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