Dego (Dennis McFarlane) is a foundational figure in the UK electronic scene, most notably as one half of the pioneering jungle/drum and bass duo 4hero. His solo work and various aliases (Nu Era, 2000Black) represent a pivot toward what became known as the 'West London Sound' or Broken Beat.
This style is characterized by a 4/4 time signature that is heavily syncopated, often removing the second or fourth beat to create a 'broken' feel. His sound identity is a sophisticated blend of jazz-fusion, neo-soul, and electro-funk, heavily influenced by the likes of Herbie Hancock and Mizell Brothers production. Critically, he is revered for his technical mastery of rhythm and his refusal to adhere to mainstream club formulas. His label, 2000Black, serves as a hub for this aesthetic, emphasizing 'good music' over genre constraints. He remains a bridge between the hardcore continuum of the 90s and the modern soulful electronic landscape, maintaining a high level of respect among crate-diggers and music theorists alike.
Shares nu jazz, funk, soul (subgenres); restless, confident, soulful (moods)
Shares funk, soul, nu jazz (subgenres); analog_warmth, sample_based, layered_dense (production style)
Shares urban_night, late_night, rooftop (atmosphere); analog_warmth, sample_based, layered_dense (production style)
Shares nu jazz, trip-hop, downtempo (subgenres); keys/synth, bass, drum machine (instrumentation)
Shares analog_warmth, sample_based, layered_dense (production style); restless, soulful, playful (moods)
Shares soul, nu jazz, downtempo (subgenres); harmonized, processed (vocal style)
Shares harmonized, processed (vocal style); nu jazz, funk, downtempo (subgenres)
Shares analog_warmth, sample_based, layered_dense (production style); urban_night, late_night, focused_work (atmosphere)
Shares analog_warmth, sample_based, layered_dense (production style); harmonized, processed (vocal style)
Shares shuffling off-kilter percussion, broken beat, funk, nu jazz (detail)
Shares funk, nu jazz, soul, soulful (subgenre)
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