Customer Reviews

Remix & Additional Production

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Hybrid is quite possibly be one of the most talented (though still quite underrated) trance/electronica groups around, and this CD further proves that point. Their first album, 'Wide Angle', was a phenomenal debut. Combining rich orchestral strings with killer breakbeats in a unique film layout (the score to a spy movie never made), it was met with critical acclaim in the UK and is now making waves in the US. Now, 'Remix & Additional Production' sees Mike Truman and the rest of the Hybrid crew headed for success once more.

Here, Hybrid takes a variety of tracks and adds a unique twist. They illuminate the crux of each track while adding their own elements, and as such you may find delightful transformations evident in tracks you've heard of. The list is varied, with classics ('Cafe Del Mar') alongside stranger choices ('Take a Picture'). The soul that is missing from most electronic music is here- the strings in 'Glorious' are simply beautiful, and the haunting piano in 'Never Gonna Come Back Down' adds even more texture to the song. The tracks flow like water into each other, and the long hours of work put into each track is clear.

'Remix & Additional Production' is an incredible remix CD, and is well worth buying, as is 'Wide Angle' if you don't already own it. Hybrid is exceptional high class breakbeat- Mike Truman and co. do it with style, and they do it -well-.

Let me first espouse that I love Hybrid, and have dutifully bought everything of theirs I could find during the past year. In a genre of paint-by-numbers remixes and jaded DJs, their unique brand of viscous, meaty breaks is obvious from the first loop.

...That said, the track selection on this CD could have been better. Hybrid is capable of such diverse remixing work, it's a shame that everything on here is strictly your garden-variety progressive breakbeat. Perhaps this was intentional, or perhaps certain tracks weren't in the running due to copyright issues. Hybrid's remix of Alanis Morissette's "Your House", for example, might have replaced DJ Rap's "Bad Girl", as well as Morissette's "So Pure" lyrics laid over "Accelerator" - a staple in their live sets - instead of the vocal-less version that opens the album. And that's saying nothing of their take on "Walhalla", or "Phuture 2000", or "Space Manoeuvres", or... get the idea? Although there are a couple of highly forgettable moments (I won't name names, but the ersatz anthem "could you take my picture / 'cause I won't remember" sums it up nicely), the ear-soothing prettiness far outweighs the bad, and it's altogether mixed with the precision one might expect from Sasha & Digweed's "Northern Exposure" series. If you're already a Hybrid fan, you'll adore this disc, and if you're not, it might just make a believer out of you.

Satisfying for when you need a Hybrid fix but not as good as their own stuff. Some of these tracks are incredible while others are just ok. I find that the ones I don't like as much were the tracks I never liked originally... go figure.

I love Hybrid. If you haven't heard anything that they have written or remixed, you should stop reading this and go find something. Preferably "Finished Symphony" or "Theme From Wide Angle". I'll wait.

Anyway, this is a collection of tracks that they have reconstructed in their own unique and distinctive (pardon the pun) style. This involves a fusion of restructured, processed break beats and atmospheric, emotional pads and strings. You'll find several awesome reworkings, among them versions of Energy 52's "Cafe Del Mar" and Filter's "Take A Picture". Now, the reason why I can't give it that fifth star is very simple. There is one track that should have been included on the LP that IS on the CD (perhaps because it was later released on its own). It wouldn't be so bad if it weren't for the fact that this is one of the most incredible remixes ever done of one of the most influential electronic tracks ever created...The Future Sound Of London's "Papua New Guinea"!

Very simply, if you want to catch up on your Hybrid collection and you're missing a few of these mixes, buy this. If you want to hear one of their most impressive pieces of work, buy the CD version.

In the musical genre of "electronica" (MTV's catchword of '97), 90% of the commercial product is a derivative variation of a particular theme inherent to its own sub-category. That said, when a truly original and risk-taking band appears on the scene, it's a beautiful experience, like taking that first breath of clean air after 5 hours in a smoke-filled dungeon blaring the same bass-line and high-hat ad nauseam. Incorporating strings, interesting samples, deft scratching and a gifted ear for breakbeat, Hybrid is that breath of fresh air, that drink of cool water, that refreshing *Complex Musicality* that can both soothe and stimulate a brain numbed by the boring aesthetic of prog. and the rampant cheese that trance has become. Hybrid is class.

Hybrid have been in the "slow-burn" phase for quite a while now, though touring with Moby in 2000 has certainly upped the name-recognition level. Busy producing the follow-up to the brilliant -Wide Angle-, truman and co. have put forth this odds n' sods collection to ride the wave of success.

There are two problems:

1) not enough remixes. Hybrid has a vast catalogue of remixes for popular and underground artists, and this comp collects _maybe_ half of what they've done in the past couple years. I would have much preferred slacker's "Psychout" or bt's "Godspeed" or Radiohead's "Everything in its Right Place" to substandard fare like Filter. And "Acelerator" is _much_ better with Morrisette's vocal...maybe they had a copyright snafu or something...

2) energy lag. I'll have to agree with the consensus that Hybrid live far out shadows this compilation in terms of programming, mixing, and overall energy stimulation. Several misfires break up the continuity of the disc and make it more a "flip to that good one" affair.

Those good ones?

The remix of Bt's "Never Gonna Come Back Down" is a classic Hybrid take and an enormous improvement on a rather mediocre song. Cutting most of the jabber-lyric and adding a soft-pulsing piano to the climax makes this the standout on the disc.

"Papua New Guinea" is updated to the breakbeat sound perfectly. Gorgeous, simply gorgeous.

"Bad Girl" also improves on the original.

The rest ranges from middling-good ("Accelerator", "Vernan's Wonderland") to almost-boring ("Bodyrock"). Still, I'd say 'Remix and Additional Production' is a worthy entry into the library of any electronic music fan who still appreciates a strong melody and even (*gasp*) vocals to balance out the bootyshake bottom.

Ordered this for my son who was out of town at the time he found it on here, not myself back in '07. Not sure how I missed leaving a review back then. Guess it was because the CD wasn't for me. I try to review each item I buy on Amazon because that's often how I decide to buy.
I'm a fan of tech music but usually stick to Burufunk (my son) and Crystal Method (their Las Vegas CD is awesome). Burufunk is a good friend of Hybrid and they try to support each other's music. This CD, at the time I ordered it, was hard to find. Can't remember if Burufunk has played with them or not, but he has with C-M. I went to their show in Dallas and it was wild fun (Lizard Lounge). Ken and Scott are really great guys.
I'm sure this is a great work, have heard a little of their music and they are super talented.

Hybrid has been a successful breakbeat band/outfit who continue to develop their own sound, while continuing to remix and DJ other material with a signature touch. That slappy snare sound, the cinematic strings, the restraint on any noodling, plus a good fit to existing songs (vocal and instrumental).

Hybrid is still going strong, and this disc and associated remix/production has dated pretty well. They know what they're doing and they also do it well live. Excellent addition (disc/download/wax cylinder) for the breakbeat fan or party-thrower.

What an album! I personally love it and think it's the essence of what Hybrid is all about. An excellent combination of heavy beats along with sensual strings and some vocals (anyone who has heard Hybrid's "Finished Symphony" from his previous album knows that this guy knows how to combine badass with beauty)

When i saw this album, i had no idea it was even out. So without a second thought i grabbed it and to my delight it was everything i wanted it to be. I had long thought that after all the remixes i have heard from Hybrid, that they should put out a remix CD. Though there are a few missing that i would love to be on the album such as the Moby Southside remix. All in all this is a great remix CD to tide me over for there follow up to Wide Angle.

This disc is amazing. They take the the breakbeats, and the remixing to a whole new level. Whoa!, Hybie.