Within drum and bass, Dego MacFarlane and Mark Mac are nothing short of legendary. Responsible for the music's first artist long-player (check "In Rough Territory", released in 1991); the introduction of jazz to the genre; and the unleashing of Goldie to the world. Their Reinforced imprint has released a steady stream of material since May 1990, bringing names such as Doc Scott, Gavin Cheung, Peshay, and Arcon 2 to the fore. After releasing two critically acclaimed long-players under pseudonyms--the techno influenced Jacobs Optical Stairway and Tek 9's hip-hop influenced "It's Not What You Think It Is"--they finally signed their key project, 4 Hero, to Talkin' Loud in the early months of 1998. Their first album for the label took over two years to make, holding court to twenty full-length tracks split over two compact discs. The first 'page' pursues the Philly string sound and jazz influences of the Ursula Rucker' vocal cut, "Loveless". The second is more in line with the sound pursued by their own label--a fascination with science fiction enriched through desolate sounds, sub-orbital beats and obscure vocal references. This is as essential as an album can be.--Kingsley Marshall