HYBRID - INTEGRATION - 1999

Hybrid, on this album, is comprised of Dave 'Ace' Boland on keyboards and vocals; Martin Hayter - guitars; Richard Brooke - drums; and Arena's John Mitchell - bass and backing vocals. These augmented by guest appearances from Clive Nolan and Oliver Wakeman.

The opening track, 'On Top Of The World', is a strong upbeat number with a very full sound and several changes of pace. I especially enjoyed the vocal harmonies in the middle section - which are followed by a sector with a reggae beat before returning to the original theme.

A much more evocative number is 'Shadow Dancing' which features Clive Nolan and his trusty Mellotron. All of the instruments work together, in perfect harmony, creating a great atmospheric song. Clive, and Mellotron, also feature on the next track, the instrumental 'Walkabout'. This is heavier musically and has some really nice contrasts between the various keyboard parts.

'Moving Lights' is my personal favourite track. It's an uplifting experience with lovely vocal harmonies throughout, a sing along chorus and great rhythm section. Special note must be made of the second half of the song with it's vocal changes and Oliver Wakeman's synth solo. A wonderful song (and we especially noted the line "One eye on New Horizons"!!!) 'Objects In Rest' is the second instrumental piece on the album. Featuring some nice guitar work alternating with sweeping and flowing keyboards.

The almost obligatory epic (at 12:16) is 'Man In The Moon'. This slower number contains some beautiful piano work, again from Oliver Wakeman, and some fine musicianship from the band too. This is twelve minutes that pass exceedingly quickly!

The penultimate track, 'Objects In Motion' perhaps owes as much to the early days of Black Sabbath as to contemporary prog. A great heavy bass line supports some lively keyboard and guitar work and fine vocals (backing vocals by Mr. Nolan). The end of this number hearkens back to the CD's beginning with a reprise of 'On Top Of The World'

The CD's final track is 'One To One, part ii'. Now, I don't actually know part one, but I do know that this is a lovely song. Here strength and gentleness are combined - sweet bell-like tones and a pensive vocal are laid over rich instrumentation - nice!

'Integration' is a revelation. I was not entirely sure what to expect from Hybrid ... and it's a very pleasant surprise. Although it doesn't necessarily instantly grab you, it is a definite grower and well worth a few listenings. It's a CD that I will certainly be playing often
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