DJ Marky – My Heroes

Brazilian drum 'n' bass legend delivers new album...

One of drum 'n' bass's post-Millennial head-turners finally gets an album on the scoreboard. With a title like 'My Heroes', there's a horrible insinuation that it will explore everything except the sound that made DJ Marky's name; regardless of his storied 12" and mix catalogue, now is not the time to be attempting a free swing with reputations.

Thankfully, the Sao Paulo native's drum 'n' bass bread and butter is in full cruise control, and a handful of house romances don't stall the album when it's go-time. Disco filterers 'Around You' and 'Freedom' shadow Marky's standards in flowing drum 'n' bass runs and ease of Amen breakage, showing that he can circle a handbag with the best of 'em.

'My Heroes' freewheels on open roads with the wind in its hair, but doesn't require much further intervention. In cases such as 'Silly', the scenery is flying past as one long stretch of loop, uninterested in making any sharp turns or tensing up seatbelts. 'Getaway' ups the revs and scorches the tarmac a little more, and 'Be With You' and 'Medusa' do extra bench work, but all remain locked onto fundamentally uncomplicated and non-confrontational grooves.

Despite its prolonged period under construction, one matter not up for discussion is the LP's quickness out of the blocks. Pretty much getting into the rollage ASAP with the sun in his sights – the loveliness on 'Feeling Fine' brings back MC Fats and orders all transport to be roofless – Marky has made an album solely designed to move your feet.

It's not deep, shallow, or if you speak the lingo, liquid, but is all about niceness minus the sap.

7/10

Words: Matt Oliver

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