Soundsystem 01

Hybrid | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 19, 2008)
• Original Release Date: 2008
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: Nettwerk Records
• ASIN: B001CITR8K
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #123,948 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

2008 two CD mix from the Welsh DJ/Electronica duo. Touring as a live band from Coachella to Glastonbury and DJs everywhere, they also score major motion pictures. They have worked on previous albums with Hooky, Perry Farrell and Julee Cruise as well as their own albums. This eclectic mix features tracks from Massive Attack, Mark Isham, Sasha, David Sylvian, Gorillaz, Trentemoller and a new Hybrid cut, 'Formula of Fear'. Hope. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not your regular Hybrid, but incredibly artful nonetheless..., August 1, 2008

By 

Victor Cameron "Soul Hunter U12" (Vancouver, Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Soundsystem_01 (Audio CD)

Let me preface this review with a few things: First off, Hybrid is one of my favourite bands (if not my favourite). That being said, I was pretty disappointed with their last release, last year's "Re-mixed". While it had a few stand out excellent tracks (like the Stedfan Anion & Starfire remix of "Until Tomorrow"), most of it was disappointing generic house remixes. I understand that it wasn't actually compiled by Hybrid (but a last ditch cash-grab by their ex-record company), it still left a bad taste in my mouth.

Fast-forward to now, and I hear that Soundsystem_01 is going to be a "departure" from previous Hybrid stuff, so safe to say, I was somewhat apprehensive.

It is a departure from the regular breakbeat Hybrid fare, but it's also one of the most artful DJmixes I've heard, and a fantastic album.

Disc one is arguably the stronger of the two discs, and is a compilation of downtempo "glitchy" techno and movie soundtrack pieces. However, stating just that is a disservice to how well this CD plays out. It isn't a danceable disc, as it's meant to be put on and really listened to. It's a very personal, emotional, and artful compilation of music. It starts off subtle and minimal, and moves to sweeping orchestral scores, and back again. Not only is the selection of music excellent, but Hybrid really show off their musical prowess with how well it seamlessly transitions from one song to another. When i initially but the disc in, I got to track 4 before I realized that the songs had changed. This is definitely an album that needs to be listened from front to back. While a little short, this disc is worth the price of admission alone.

Standout Tracks:
Trifonic - "Parks on Fire"
Harry Gregson Williams - "Saladin"
Charlotte James - "Shadows of the City"
Barry Jamieson - "Arp Thing"

Disc two is much more standard techno fare, as Hybrid mix together a list of generally excellent techno/house tracks, while still keeping with the overall soundscape of the album. While not nearly as strong emotionally or musically, it's still a very strong DJ mix and once again showcases Hybrid's excellent skill in mixing and song selection. Of note are the numerous Hybrid productions in this disc, including the excellent "Formula of Fear" remix, and an interesting take on Long Range's "Just One More". It's not a perfect selection, as there are a few tracks that get repetitive or aren't musically as strong as the rest, but it's enjoyable nonetheless.

Standout Tracks:
Long Range - "Just One More (Hybrid Matrix Dub)"
Hybrid feat. Charlotte James - "The Formula of Fear (Hybrid Remix)"
Oliver Moldan vs. Harada - "Fortune Cookie (Jerome Isma-Ae Mix)"
Elite Force - "Shivva"

All in all, this is a fantastic album, and really brings Hybrid back to form. While I personally am more of a fan of Hybrid's breakbeat offerings, I wholeheartedly recommend this disc. It's different, but it shows that Hybrid is trying new things and stretching their creative wings. Give this album a chance, and it will definitely deliver.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sweeping, melodic, and eclectic... please, let there be a sequel!, September 4, 2008

By 

Torley "I amplify your awesome!" (torley.com) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Soundsystem_01 (Audio CD)

I'm eagerly awaiting Hybrid's 4th artist album, and in the meantime, I hope this'll tide me over -- the name leads me to believe there'll be future "Soundsystem" installments.

Previous reviews have done a fantastic job of covering the guts, so here's my perspective on what makes this mix stand out amidst a sea of so many DJ mixes.

One of the most distinguishing feature draws from Hybrid's fine pedigree in mixing the film music (orchestral) and dance music (electronic) worlds; it's very easy to sample some string loops and plop them over a beat, not so facile to really weave together a compelling arrangement as they've done with my fave track they've done to this day, "Finished Symphony", and more recent collaborations with Harry Gregson-Williams (whose work is expected to sound like Hans Zimmer due to his Media Ventures heritage -- big on the anthems and very action-packed!).

No surprise then, that film scores find themselves alongside ambient glitch here. Andy Page's "Yellow Tracksuit" is one of his more subdued selections, and the name seems like a Kill Bill reference -- what's so special about Page is his proclivity for glitchy, obsessively detailed production methods which've influenced Hybrid, BT, and many others.

Speaking of BT, Hybrid share a similar strength of having pop song structure intermingle with experimental electronics, and a likeminded track which highlights this is Trifonic's "Parks on Fire". At first, it sounded like it came from BT's This Binary Universe album -- and indeed, I researched and read that Trifonic collaborated with BT on that amazing opuses of modern symphonic-electronic; signature stutters can be heard, serving as an intriguing bedside companion for dark bass stabs that traditionally belong on drum 'n' bass tracks, and chopped-up acoustic instrumentation. WONDERFUL!

Thus, the 1st disc thematically belongs in my mental category of "mixes that would suit the soundtrack to a city of the future". There's an overt cyberpunk impression to the work, altho it's never unappealingly claustrophobic. And of course, before you know it (listen to Disc 1 at bedtime; if you're new to "this kind" of music, it's unconventional but eclectic), we head into Disc 2... the DANCEY side of things!

Some very catchy floor-fillers which blend into each other here, never losing their identity but riffs like raised hands motivating you to pump your hands into the air. Unlike its more sedate counterpart, Disc 2 is faster and harder-edged. A lot of it makes great driving music.

For example, the Hybrid remix of Longrange's "Just One More" could easily be a track on a Wipeout game soundtrack, blazing in the background as you pilot your anti-G racer to history.

Then, there's the pressure-cooker that is Soliquid's "Lonesfield", almost delicate (but not fragile) chime elements recalling Gill Norris' "Forme". If you loved that classic, you'll also appreciate this catchy indulgence.

Lank's "Confrontation" has some of the toughest piano-like meanderings and amped-up handclaps to emerge out of the progressive house scene, never acting pretentious, but it too, serving as an ideal companion on a desert drive. Wild whooshes cue in new sections, only leading you forward...

Finally, in one of my fave moments on either disc, Elite Force's originally beatless "Shivva" is overlaid on top of Steffano Greppi's "Electro Pop (Ambient Mix)". What's so cool about this is, if you're familiar with Elite Force, you know he's typically associated with tough, rolling breakbeat tracks -- but this unorthodox, gentle cut works a treat atop the closing minutes.

I firmly recommend this flexible delight of a mix, and if you're looking for something that roams into familiar territory but is all too happy to guide you beyond, look no further than Hybrid's Soundsystem 01!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Out of this Universe, and to much for a single brain to comprehend, September 6, 2008

By 

Steven "Steven from MIA" (MIA, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Soundsystem_01 (Audio CD)

This is by far one of the most amazing emotional , theatrical, mind blowing experiences Ive ever been through. You have to be very open minded to listen to something as detailed as disc 1 and really learn to appreciate music like this. Quite frankly im left speechless from the sequencing of all effects, strings, orchestra, and the "Glitch Effect" I Cannot even begin to think of what this album could have been like if BT would have collaborated. BT opened a new door a new world for electronic music with "Binary Universe" and Hybrid with This album is showing us & leading the way for future masterpieces.. I would recommend this to any listener. You guys ROCK.