4hero presents EXTENSIONS – various artists (4hero)

When an artist records someone else’s song in the pop world, it’s called a “cover”; the same thing in dance circles is a “remix”. Now, judging by this release, there’s a third category: an “extension”. Strictly speaking, it’s neither a cover nor a remix because the original artists — in this case, Marc Mac and Dego — play a crucial role in “recording, mixing and co producing tracks”. The result is a CD that sounds remarkably like an original 4hero album. Except it isn’t.

“Reinterpreters”, such as Nu Tropic and Sub Ensemble, re-recorded 4hero tracks under the duo’s guiding hands. The songs thus sound both fresh and familiar. 4hero‘s trademark strings envelop Sonar Kollektiv Orchester’s version of Universal Love, but a less recognisable Latin feel is introduced by Christian Prommers on the exquisite Planeteria.

Ayanna Witter-Johnson’s sombre rendition of Give In may not quite come off, but Robert Mitchell 3io’s straight-ahead treatment of Third Stream certainly does — and proves that, like a good remix or cover, an “extension” can expand musical horizons.