Mike Truman and Chris Healings have been making music as Hybrid since the late 90s. For their 2010 release Disappear Here they have added the talents of singer/songwriter Charlotte James to the fold. If you are familiar with Hybrid’s music, then you know what to expect. A mish-mashof breakbeat sounds fused with an orchestral vibe, Hybrid make electronica that is rather high brow. Disappear Here delivers on that front: the music is rather pretty and well produced yet somehow remains a bit dull.

With all the innovations that have occurred in breakbeat inspired music in the last decade, from the explosion of dubstep to the influence of Baltimore club music in pop and electro, Hybrid’s simple progressive breakbeat sound feels a bit dated and uninspiring on most of Disappear Here. The beats don’t really induce dancing as much as chilling out and maybe that is the point. What stands out on the album is the addition of Charlotte James. Her vocals shine some much needed light on the proceedings, most notably on “Can You Hear Me” and the lead single “Break My Soul.” Only when Charlotte’s voice reaches full bloom does the music seem to match her with dramatic swelling strings and emotional instrumentation. But despite these moments of greatness much of Disappear Here unfortunately disappears into the background.

- Norman Mayers

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