Wider Angle [Limited Edition]

Disc: 1

1. Opening Credits

2. If I Survive

3. I Know

4. Beachcoma

5. Dreaming Your Dreams

6. Snyper

7. Theme from Wide Angle

8. Sinequanon

9. High Life

10. Fatal Beating

See all 12 tracks on this disc

Disc: 2

1. Kid 2000

2. Burnin'

3. Snyper

4. Accelerator

5. High Life

6. Finished Symphony

7. Kill City

8. Altitude

9. Kid 2000 (12" Original Mix)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
When Hybrid members Mike Truman, Chris Healings and Lee Mullin released their debut album "Wide Angle", it surprised anyone who thought that dance music couldn’t be clever, challenging and musically astute. "Wide Angle" was over a year in the making. They wanted to produce something more melodic, imaginative, bigger and deeper than had ever been before. So they went from Swansea to London, Moscow, Paris and New York, gathering material for a set of startlingly innovative tracks. That was in 1999. Hybrid were received as one of the most acclaimed new bands of 1999, with "Wide Angle" collecting an abundance of album of the month reviews and ending 1999 on a high with a Best Dance Act award at the 2000 Miami Winter Music Conference, a slot on the Muzik magazine UK tour and a Best Live Act nomination at the Muzik magazine awards; all the more outstanding considering Hybrid had only a handful of live gigs under their belt at that time. They have gone on to hone! their gigs to near perfection, with live dates as far afield as Mount Fuji in Japan, Miami Beach, San Francisco, Ibiza, Sydney, Taiwan, New York, Singapore and Panama City, their global presence getting stronger with every dynamic live show performed and fans converted to the sound of rapturous applause. 2000 also saw the boys completing an extensive national US tour in support of Moby.

Embracing both their chart and live arena success, "Wide Angle" has morphed into a "Wider Angle". This is a special edition re-release of the album. In addition to the original album it also includes live versions of tracks recorded on last years tour of Japan, capturing the passion that has entranced many and bringing it into the living room. Their UK Top 40 hit, "Kid 2000", a reworking of a Pretenders track featuring Chrissie Hynde is also included on the CD as a bonus track, along with sought after and previously unreleased tracks "Kill City" and "Altitude". Highly emotive and inspiring, Hybrid’s "Wider Angle" is sure to find it’s way into many living rooms and DJ booths alike!

Tracks:

Opening Credits
If I Survive
I Know
Beachcoma
Dreaming Your Dreams
Snyper
Theme from Wide Angle
Sinequanon
High Life
Fatal Beating
Finished Symphony
Altitude (Red Sqare Reprise)

Tracks:

Kid 2000
Burnin'
Snyper
Accelerator
High Life
Finished Symphony
Kill City
Altitude
Kid 2000 (12" Original Mix)

Album Description

When Hybrid members Mike Truman, Chris Healings and Lee Mullin released their debut album "Wide Angle", it surprised anyone who thought that dance music couldn't be clever, challenging and musically astute. "Wide Angle" was over a year in the making. They wanted to produce something more melodic, imaginative, bigger and deeper than had ever been before. So they went from Swansea to London, Moscow, Paris and New York, gathering material for a set of startlingly innovative tracks. That was in 1999. Hybrid were received as one of the most acclaimed new bands of 1999, with "Wide Angle" collecting an abundance of album of the month reviews and ending 1999 on a high with a Best Dance Act award at the 2000 Miami Winter Music Conference, a slot on the Muzik magazine UK tour and a Best Live Act nomination at the Muzik magazine awards; all the more outstanding considering Hybrid had only a handful of live gigs under their belt at that time. They have gone on to hone! their gigs to near perfection, with live dates as far afield as Mount Fuji in Japan, Miami Beach, San Francisco, Ibiza, Sydney, Taiwan, New York, Singapore and Panama City, their global presence getting stronger with every dynamic live show performed and fans converted to the sound of rapturous applause. 2000 also saw the boys completing an extensive national US tour in support of Moby.

Embracing both their chart and live arena success, "Wide Angle" has morphed into a "Wider Angle". This is a special edition re-release of the album. In addition to the original album it also includes live versions of tracks recorded on last years tour of Japan, capturing the passion that has entranced many and bringing it into the living room. Their UK Top 40 hit, "Kid 2000", a reworking of a Pretenders track featuring Chrissie Hynde is also included on the CD as a bonus track, along with sought after and previously unreleased tracks "Kill City" and "Altitude". Highly emotive and inspiring, Hybrid's "Wider Angle" is sure to find it's way into many living rooms and DJ booths alike!

Customer Reviews:

The epitome.......2005-05-04

This album is basically a "hybrid" offspring of breakbeat and classical. Most people associate that genre with Mozart reworked in high-pitched keyboards accompanied by 4/4 bass thumps. So it's understandable that people are skeptical. I believe the only commercial song that has successfully incorporated strings with techno is moby's "Porcelain." But this is so much more better.

This CD has shattered, demolished, and crapped on the highest bar set of how amazing music can be. Ingenius infusion of classical components with hardcore breakbeats and that bellowing bass spurts fills the mind with so much emotion that your head will explode with joy. And if you've heard "Finished Symphony," you know what I'm talking about.

Highlights of CD1
Since this Cd has so many fantastic songs, it would actually be easier to display the songs that i don't like since they are the minority in this case. It's too hard to describe the individuality of the great songs without using the words Amazing, genius, mind-boggling less than 20 times.

Theme from Wide Angle-pretty plain song in techno standards...but it seems worse that it actually is since it's hard to top off Snyper.

Sinequanon-This song would have probably been twice as better without the vocals. Reminiscent of thievery corp.
hmm..that's it.

CD2
An added incentive to get out there and buy this CD. It's like buying a BMW, and then getting an Aston Martin with it. The mix from track 1 to 6 has gotten tiesto and oakenfold beat. The added bonus tracks (Especially kid 2000) make this album so much more valuable.

Best. Album. Ever........2004-11-02

I was first introduced to Hybrid when I bought Kinetica for the PS2. I fell in love with the opening song and after flipping through the instruction booklet, managed to find out about the artist. Literally the same day, I went out and bought this CD and to this day I'm still loving it. When I first bought it, it was the only CD in my stereo for weeks. Even now I still listen to it regularly. If I Survive and Finished Symphony are by far the best songs on the CD, but they're all amazing in the end.

The most epic electronic album ever concieved..........2004-08-15

In reality, I really don't know how I can describe this album except for one word... amazing. Absolutely mind-blowing. I was introduced to Hybrid and Wider Angle about 3 years ago. First, I was enticed by Finished Symphony and If I Survive. After listening to the album countless times, Symphony is still great and If I Survive is just as beautiful as ever. However, the real reason to buy this album are the small details that you pick up each time you re-listen to this album. And it will be hundreds of times. Chris and Mike are absolute genius's. Each and every song on the album will move you a different way. Obviously, dance floor classics, but more importantly...this is one VERY rare example of smart electronic music. Do yourself a favor, go buy this CD and take a week off work to get acquainted with it. This is one relationship that you will never grow tired of.

A wider angle on music........2004-06-23

Wider Angle, the 2 disc edition of Hybrid's debut, Wide Angle, is an extremely interesting album. Overall, this double CD set soars, thanks in most part to the second disc, an jaw-dropping and feet-moving mix of some of Hybrid's best tunes live.

The first disc is Wide Angle, intact in its original form. And while I'll probably get some heat for saying this, it's decidedly unbalanced. The CD has some incredible high notes, tracks that surpass everything around them and are nothing short of magic. It also has some depressingly mediocre tracks that really offer nothing memorable. If I Survive, Beachcoma and Finished Symphony lead the sensational side, with gorgeously timed symphonies providing a backdrop for the fantastic breakbeats and scratch effects. Beachcoma in particular remains a favorite of mine, with lovely saxophone work and a slick build up to a great climax. However, I Know, Dreaming Your Dreams, Fatal Beating, and the studio version of High Life are all decidedly bland numbers, with uninspired lyrics that hinder the freedom of the more impressive instrumentals. Sans vocals, these tracks might have faired better, but as it is, they're surprisingly lacking.

The second disc, however, makes up for this. The live tracks are nothing short of awesome. Burnin' and the live version of High Life, along with the wickedly paced live Snyper, tear up the dance floors while Accelerator and the live Finished Symphony soar above them. The bonus tracks excellent Kill City and the original version of Kid 2000 only add to the great package.

Overall, Wider Angle is a success. I'd give the first disc alone 3 stars; the three great tracks don't really make up for the others enough to warrant more. The second disc, however, is a 5 star piece, through and through. Together, Wider Angle is a 4 star delight with high and low points that balance out to make an enjoyable and note-worthy foray into electronica.

Go Out and Buy this CD Now!!!!.......2004-06-13

I have been listening to electronica for as long as i can remember, and this is one of those few "special" albums that blows you away!!! Just when I had thought that Dance music couldn't be creative and original anymore, I heard "finished symphony", and was amazed! The ability of hybrid to fuse housey-breakbeats with orchestral influences is amazing, and this is one of those CD's that has stayed in my CD player fairly frequently over the last few years...Buy Wider Angle because of the equally good 2nd disc...Purely magical stuff, don't waste your time reading my review, go out and buy this cd!!!!

Tracks:

Opening Credits
If I Survive
I Know
Beachcoma
Dreaming Your Dreams
Snyper
Theme from Wide Angle
Sinequanon
High Life
Fatal Beating
Finished Symphony
Altitude [Red Square Reprise]

Tracks:

Kid 2000
Burnin'
Snyper
Accelerator
High Life
Finished Symphony
Kill City [*]
Altitude [*]
Kid 2000 [12" Original Mix]

Album Description

UK version of 1999 release from electronica group compared to Chemical Brothers and Underworld. This special edition Cd includes a 9 track bonus disc featuring Chrissie Hynde on'Kid 2000'. 19 tracks total. 2000 release Slimline double jewel case.

Album Details

Includes New Single 'Kid 2000' featuring Chrissie Hynde. Disc Two features Hybrid Live in Tokyo.

Customer Reviews:

Favorite Album of All Time.......2007-07-30

This is by far my favorite album ever....any genre.

Hybrid produces some quality peices of work...one of the few artists I can buy something before I listen to it and know it will knock my socks off.

Wider Angle is by far their best album, although you should still check out their other two studio albums.

I grabbed this CD not really knowing what it would be like, but it ended up staying in my car CD player for almost a year and a half before I switched it out...infact I've got a couple copies due to the wear and tear I've put on them.

Standouts on the album are of course, Finished Symphony, Kill City, Theme From Wide Angle, and Snyper.

All unbelievable tracks that age well. It is hard to believe it has already been 8 years since this album came out...and its just as fresh as its first day.

The second disk is a wonderful live set featuring remixes and edits of a lot of the Wide Angle tracks plus some bonus tracks. If this disk intrests you check out the Japanese version of Wide Angle for another live set circa 2000.

But beware...once you hear it you will get hooked on tracking down their discography....which is quite daunting (and expensive) with over 300 original and remix productions.

Without doubt a classic.......2006-10-09

Hybrid, perhaps the finest breakbeat production team around, were supposed to smash into the U.S. market with their first album WIDE ANGLE in 2000. Sadly due to distribution problems the album was delayed in the US and so much well-placed advertising went to waste. Happily, Hybrid succeeded in releasing the album, renaming it WIDER ANGLE because of the inclusion of a second disc chronicling the Hybrid live experience. If this album appeals to you, the two-disc set is very recommended.

Sometimes a reviewer has no choice but to repeat blurbs. On the slipcase Ed Potton of The Times/Metro calls WIDE ANGLE "one of the most moving pieces of electronic music ever." He's totally right. Hybrid began by using traditional breakbeat production but transformed it into something totally original and novel by bringing in strings, here provided by the Russian Federal Orchestra conducted by Sacha Pullman. The vibrant sonorities of something rarely hear in breakbeat add colour and cinematic grandeur to the album that brings it to greater heights than any electronica album I had heard before.

WIDE ANGLE from a production viewpoint is wonderfully consistent and not a single track fails to entertain. The high points of the album, however, are pure emotion. "If I Survive" is sweeping with its breaks and perfectly placed strings. "Theme from Wide Angle" is a non-stop electronic parade. Perhaps the most spiritual experience on WIDE ANGLE is "Finished Symphony." It will sound familiar to those who had heard Hybrid's "Symphony" on the East Coast disc of Sasha and John Digweed's NORTHERN EXPOSURE II mix, but this version is performed with a real orchestra and has combined the best of live recording and studio editing.

WIDE ANGLE is such an original and polished release that I would recommend it to any fan of electronic music. It's been over five years now since I encountered this album, and in the time since I've lost interest in most electronic music I was once passionate about, but WIDE ANGLE continues to impress me as much as it ever did.

Remarkable.......2005-07-17

I remember buying this CD a year or more ago. Wow. In my opinion, the orchestration and the way it is incorporated into Hybrid's music to this day still stands out as beautifully as it did the first time I listened through it. Not only is every song fresh and filled with energy, but gorgeous and intelligent all at the same time. The only way I can describe this album is that it gives off almost a silky, futuristic vibe. Often times fast electronic music (in any sub-genre) feels stupid, and is only fit for clubs, if even that. But this music rises far above that and still manages to sound brilliant. To add to how wonderful this CD is, the bonus disk is not just a "Bonus disk"-- it is basically a standalone album itself, being 74 minutes long. The first 6 tracks are all live, and all great. Thankfully the crowd does not interfere with the sound or feel of the performance, I rather like to think that it adds to it. I love this CD.

Highly recommended.

"If I survive, I'll tell on you.".......2005-05-05

If you only hear one trance album in your life make it Hybrid's Wider Angle. Wider Angle takes most of the songs off of the general release Wide Angle and throws it into the blender. This orchestrated trance album is simply brilliant. Most songs are instrumental, and the ones that are not are all sung perfectly by Julee Cruise, simply her best work. They brought that great voice to life and then some. Let me tell you my five favorites off of this great record. 1)If I Survive: At just under 9 minutes, this song rocks. With its wicked beats and its pissed off singing by Julee Cruise, get ready to be blown away. 2)Beachcoma: This instrumental is the kind of music I believe the great classical composers would have made had they had synthesizers in their day. It starts slowly then builds to the most orgasmic music ever made, alot like symphonies. 3)High Life: Another song brilliantly sung by Julee. Play this one loud.4)Sinenquanon: Like the song title, there is no way to describe this song, except to hear it. It has a male voice overdubbing a killer beat, and he doesn't make a damn bit of sense, but who cares, blast it and surrender. 5) Kill City: This is a perfect soundtrack cut. It is dying to made into a video game or the latest graphic novel come to life. Awesome.
Buy this record, and you will understand the power of Hybrid.

Incredible!.......2003-03-05

My first exposure to Hybrid was their stirring "Finished Symphony" in the video game "SSX Tricky". I then knew that I had to get more. Everything I've listened to by them I've loved. One of my favorite new artists.

Average customer rating:

Without doubt a classic

Wider Angle
Hybrid
Manufacturer: Musicrama/Koch
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

General | Techno | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music
ASIN: B0000DENQR
Release Date: 2000-10-05

Customer Reviews:

Without doubt a classic.......2006-10-09

Hybrid, perhaps the finest breakbeat production team around, were supposed to smash into the U.S. market with their first album WIDE ANGLE in 2000. As can be seen from this listing it made it to Japan, but sadly due to distribution problems the album was delayed in the US and so much well-placed advertising went to waste. Happily, Hybrid succeeded in releasing the album, renaming it WIDER ANGLE because of the inclusion of a second disc chronicling the Hybrid live experience. If this album appeals to you, the two-disc set is very recommended.

Sometimes a reviewer has no choice but to repeat blurbs. On the slipcase Ed Potton of The Times/Metro calls WIDE ANGLE "one of the most moving pieces of electronic music ever." He's totally right. Hybrid began by using traditional breakbeat production but transformed it into something totally original and novel by bringing in strings, here provided by the Russian Federal Orchestra conducted by Sacha Pullman. The vibrant sonorities of something rarely hear in breakbeat add colour and cinematic grandeur to the album that brings it to greater heights than any electronica album I had heard before.

WIDE ANGLE from a production viewpoint is wonderfully consistent and not a single track fails to entertain. The high points of the album, however, are pure emotion. "If I Survive" is sweeping with its breaks and perfectly placed strings. "Theme from Wide Angle" is a non-stop electronic parade. Perhaps the most spiritual experience on WIDE ANGLE is "Finished Symphony." It will sound familiar to those who had heard Hybrid's "Symphony" on the East Coast disc of Sasha and John Digweed's NORTHERN EXPOSURE II mix, but this version is performed with a real orchestra and has combined the best of live recording and studio editing.

WIDE ANGLE is such an original and polished release that I would recommend it to any fan of electronic music. It's been over five years now since I encountered this album, and in the time since I've lost interest in most electronic music I was once passionate about, but WIDE ANGLE continues to impress me as much as it ever did.

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