Ape to Angel [Enhanced]

Product Description
Having pumped there way through New Zealand's electronic music scene since their inaugural Gathering New Year's eve festival in 1997, Pitch Black [nz] (with the [nz] added to avoid being mistaken with the USA rap group of the same name) have spent the years since, rousing dance floor punters, generating rave reviews, winning awards and gaining legions of fans worldwide - including warm UK embraces garnered with their dynamic live performances at three Big Chill festivals. Their music has also been used in several films, including the Oscar nominated Whale Rider.

The Pitch Black [nz] sound created by Paddy Free and Michael Hodgson, ranges from organic ambient and layered soundscapes to skanting keyboards, cutting acid riffs and thumping rhythmic grooves, with dub being the glue that holds their musical journeys together. One critic describes them as "Richie Hawtin meets King Tubby or Rhythm and Sound in Technicolor."

Ape to Angel, was originally released in NZ to critical acclaim. Now, as their debut USA release, the A2A album has been repackaged with an added bonus track and eye-popping bonus video of the focus track 'Lost in Translation,' and found an appreciative home on the seminal ambient dub label - Waveform Records.

Over the years Pitch Black [nz] has found favour among club and radio DJs including John Peel (Radio One/BBC), Nick Luscombe (Xfm), Greg Roberts (Dreadzone), Pete Lawrence (Big Chill), Forest (XM satellite/Musical Starstreams/radioioAMBIENT.com). This superb USA debut promises to generate an equal level of continued interest.

Tracks:

Ape to Angel 8:23
Freefall 5:42
Lost in Translation 8:14
Big Trouble Upstairs 8:05
Melt 6:55
Flex 8:01
Elements Turn 9:09
The Random Smiler (live) 10:06
Empty Spaces Missing Units 6:55

Album Description

Having pumped there way through New Zealand's electronic music scene since their inaugural Gathering New Year's eve festival in 1997, Pitch Black [nz] (with the [nz] added to avoid being mistaken with the USA rap group of the same name) have spent the years since, rousing dance floor punters, generating rave reviews, winning awards and gaining legions of fans worldwide - including warm UK embraces garnered with their dynamic live performances at three Big Chill festivals. Their music has also been used in several films, including the Oscar nominated Whale Rider.

Customer Reviews:

Angelic?.......2007-06-26

I don't know the proper buzzwords to describe the genre slot, but GREAT ELECTRONIC JAM. Smooth flows, not too space-y, not minimal, not acid or jazz, somewhat loping rhythms, fast syncopation, layered, house-y, complex. Hear Track 3, Lost in Translation. Powerful. Get it. Try to resist the urge to dance.

Pitch Black goes downhill..........2006-04-10

Nah... This is the worst Pitch Black album. Try "Futureproof" or "Pitch Black", the album, if you want to experience the best of NZ dub-trance. Unfortunately several of the really first rate NZ electronic acts are now insipid and over-commercialised. For Pitch Black and Salmonella Dub, the earlier stuff is definitely the best.

Impressive electronic dub.......2005-11-29

I've collected a number of albums released on the Waveform label lately, and I've been consistently impressed. Pitch Black has been my latest Waveform discovery, and they're a good example of the label's "sound:" really bassy, dub-influenced, echo-effects, some multicultural samples scattered throughout, and while the whole package is pretty laid-back and mellow it's definitely beat-oriented enough that the listener doesn't get bored. You can dance to many of these tracks if played loud enough, or just have it on in the background while chilling at home.

I'm also a real pushover for a good bassline and these guys deliver some excellent dubbed-up bass workouts. Check out track 7: the bass is so deep it kind of has a paralyzing effect on your cerebellum and makes you feel like you're floating on a sea of puffy white marshmellows... or maybe that's just me. Anyway, this disc gets my recommendation.

Apparently they also have a number of other albums that aren't available in North America yet, so hopefully Waveform will start releasing their back catalogue sometime soon (hint, hint!) Similar artists worth checking out, if you like these guys, would be Children of Dub and labelmates Sounds from the Ground, Phutureprimitive, and A Positive Life.

The Future of Dub has Arrived!.......2005-09-09

This album is amazing! If you love dub - especially 21st century dub - then this is the album you've been waiting for. While being tough to locate - this New Zealand duo has been producing dubbed out greatness for 3 albums now! "Ape to Angel" is their first American release - and it's a stunner! Perfect for chilling out to or firing up that spliff and doing a little armchair traveling - this album hits all the right notes. There's touches of drum and bass, house and breaks - all drenched in dub!!! It's dubtastic!

Average customer rating:

Outstanding

Ape to Angel
Pitch Black
Manufacturer: Kog
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Ambient | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

Electronica | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

Australia & New Zealand | International | Styles | Music

Dance & DJ | Imports | Stores | Music
ASIN: B0006Q3T06
Release Date: 2004-11-16

Tracks:

Ape to Angel
Freefall
Lost in Translation
Big Trouble Upstairs
Melt
Flex
Elements Turn
Random Smiler [Live]
Empty Spaces Missing Units
Lost in Translation [*][Multimedia Track]

Album Details

Pitch Black Hail from New Zealand and Make their Mark with Another Slab of Cross-genre Dub Beats and Mind-expanding Sounds. Working with a Vocalist for the First Time, Pitch Black Engaged the Services of Sandy Mill, a Veteran of the Nz Scene. Mill Moved to London in 2002 Where She Has Been Guesting on Many Dance Tracks by the Likes of Gary Numan, Placbo and Basement Jaxx.

Customer Reviews:

Outstanding.......2005-03-10

I saw Pitch Black live and went to get this CD. If you like a good beat this CD has it. A tiny bit of vocal, on one track I think, done really well. I love doing design work with it playing in the background. Well worth the money.