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.

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.

I have a couple of decent monitors on stands, trained at each of my ears from about three feet. And I was prompted to write this review because it occurs to me that I have no recollection of the past hour during which I have been listening to Soundsytem 01. No, it's not what you're thinking it is...

I *know* what I was doing, but I liken it those nights when you get home on auto-pilot while having no clear memory of the trip (sober). Disc 2 in particular is just one throbbing masterpiece of a soundscape, a pulsing continuity that - while retaining a similar or even exact same time signature - never manages to be fatiguing, boring, or grating. This is in stark contrast to the lion's share of electronica out there. The instruments here, or the emulations thereof, are top notch. Strings are moody, foreboding, and yet soothing. Bass lines are punchy; nice and squelchy. All capped off by that relentless march of the drum modules.

This is masterful electronica, folks. I can't believe that anyone could listen to this in it's entirety and not come away affected. And that's one of the rawest measurements of art. An album this evocative, this trance-inducing (yeah, I used that word) deserves five stars. It far, far outshines the lauded new classic, "Wide Angle." That album, while excellent on its own merits, does not approach the sheer power of Soundsytem 01. Unfortunately, that intangible quality can't accurately be conveyed to you by words. Get this album and settle in, folks. It's a long ride. IMHO, disc 2 is even better than the first.

In case you didn't hear me the first: This is a masterpiece of both music and engineering.

This album is not actually Hybrid. This album is Hybrid's favorite music blended into a seamless masterpiece of entertainment by Hybrid.

Whether or not you like Hybrid is really irrelevant to this album.

This album is not to be categorized into genres. The variety and depth of the music on disc 1 is astounding and it is so well mixed that I cannot compare it to anything that has ever come before it.

Simply put, disc 1 is the best electronic album I have ever heard. Disc 2 will keep the dance fans happy, but disc 1 is clearly meant to take center stage in this compilation.

If you have an appreciation for subtle, complex, and beautiful music that is meant for in depth listening this album is not to be missed.

Wow- Hybrid has done it again. This CD is incredibly well mixed. Like several of the reviews had stated earlier, I did not know that the track number had changed until I noticed my CD player read track 5. However, I am a "selective" fan of Hybrid. I love If I Survive and Beachcoma, but some their more "underground" electronic doesn't sit well. That being said, CD 1 is excellent. This album feels like it follows the successes of a man/ woman (or society) trying to exist in a post-apocalyptic world. This is my view, mostly because a majority of the songs are instrumental. The CD begins slowly with a Harry Williams start and slowly builds with several zeniths. However, the true magic begins with the last four tracks. Charlotte James does an excellent job with Shadows in the City. Then Arp Thing by Jameison does a great job of filling the gap to next track. World Citizen is absolutely spell binding and quite moving. World Citizen moves beautifully into the final act (which I think could be considered an act of God.) The best way to describe the final track without giving it away would be to say there has never been such a mix of electronic clubish sounds being drowned out by a single piano note being drowned out by an (I think) African Choir. The first time I listened to this album, I was studying Collegiate Biology in a soft green light in my room with the occasional flash of lightning. For a moment, I really did think that I had died and had started to transcend reality.

Okay, the truth on CD 2. I have never cared for Euro Club Electronic music, so CD 2 would not be my top pick. However, the CD is mixed in a similar fashion to CD 1, so that by the time track 3 had rolled around, I though I was still on track 1. Perhaps, CD 2 would be better suited for someone with European Electronic tastes.