It has been six years since 4hero’s last studio album, “Creating Patterns,” was released, an album I still bump to.

The band 4hero hails from north London and consists of Dennis ‘Dego’ McFarlane, Mark ‘Marc Mac’ Clair, Gus Lawrence and Ian Bardouille.

Apparently, I’m going through a bit of a UK phase. Hey, I can’t help it if they’re making good music over there. But I digress.

They were pioneers on the broken-beat, jungle and drum and bass scenes. Now they are back with what I consider this year’s first must-have release.

“Play With The Changes” is a glorious offering of broken-beat bliss. Taking eletronica rooted in jazz fusion and soul, it’s both retro and futuristic.

The album features Kaidi Tatham (Bugz in the Attic), Phonte (Little Brother), and poet Ursula Rucker (The Roots).

The album opens with “Morning Child,” featuring vocalist Carina Anderson sounding eerily like Minnie Riperton. The track sounds like it could’ve been taken right off of Riperton’s “Adventures in Paradise” album. It features a hypnotic string arrangement over a solid break-beat. Anderson’s vocals add a certain sweetness that sends it over the top. It’s lush, dramatic and just great.

Another standout is “Take My Time,” featuring vocalist Jack Davey. The track draws from the synth-heavy soul of the ’80s, featuring programmed but organic drums (think Prince) over a keyboard bass. Davey’s vocals are slightly breathy with a sexy drawl. She complements the track in every way.

Adding a little hip-hop to the mix, they collaborated with Little Brother’s Phonte and singer Darien Brockington on the song “Give In.” The track features Brockington’s smooth vocals over a breezy, string-heavy soundscape. Phonte’s verse rocks perfectly within the context of the song and his appearance doesn’t sound the least bit out of place on the album. In short, everything about this song works.

My favorite track on the album is the title track, a smooth electronic ditty with vocalists Larry Mizell and Talita Long. The heavily percussive track is a perfect example of electronic music adding live instruments to create a new and interesting sound. Long’s and Mizell’s vocals operate more as extensions of the track playfully interacting with a flute. This song is utter perfection.

Another favorite is “Sophia,” an instrumental track that is heaven for a broken-beat head. As with the some of the other tracks, this one features a fantastic string arrangement. It truly displays the genius of this band, which has the ability to create sounds are so vivid you can almost see the music. These guys are the antithesis of redundancy.

4hero is one of those bands that never disappoints, from their original works to their remixes. Everything they do is dope.

The biggest misconception about electronic music is that it is cold and emotionless. These guys defy all of those notions. Using orchestral arrangements they’re music creates a vivid soundscape that’s anything but typical.

Now that they are finally getting a proper release in the states, show them love.

This album is a sonic triumph that deserves to be heard by as many people as possible.