Wide Angle is the debut studio album by Welsh breakbeat group Hybrid. It was released to critical acclaim, described by The Times as "one of the most moving pieces of electronic music ever". The album was re-released in 2000 as a double-CD edition entitled Wider Angle.
The core Hybrid duo of Mike Truman and Chris Healings cooperated with Lee Mullin to create the dance music backbone of the album, with a mix of progressivebreakbeat, techno, trance and house. However, they were joined by a wide array of musical personnel for this expansive, symphonic album. Orchestral parts were performed by the Russian Federal Orchestra, conducted by Sacha Puttnam, who was also responsible for the orchestral arrangements. Julee Cruise, best known for the theme of Twin Peaks, supplied vocals on several songs, and Soon E MC added French rapping to "Sinequanon".
In 2000, the album was re-released as a double CD package, labelled Wider Angle. The second CD, titled Live Angle, featured a live set with Alex Madge on drums and Jamie Griffiths on turntables, and several singles, including "Kid 2000" with Chrissie Hynde.
"Finished Symphony" was featured in the video games SSX and SSX Tricky.
"Finished Symphony" is also featured in one episode of Top Gear, though the version featured is both shorter and different. It was later released in Top Gear: the Ultimate Driving Experience. It's also featured on the "Finished Symphony" single as "Finished Symphony (Soundtrack Edit)".
"Finished Symphony" is featured on the video game Juiced.
"Finished Symphony" is really a remix of "Symphony", an old track produced by Hybrid before Wide Angle.
"Sinequanon" has been remixed and featured in the movie Catacombs.
"Accelerator", "Burnin'", "Snyper", and "Theme From Wide Angle" are featured in the PC version of the video game Lotus Challenge.
^Rolling Stone (10/12/00, p.89) – 3 stars out of 5 – "...Whether barreling into the glazed stupor of a late-night party or propelling a more sophisticated gathering, Hybrid's creations are, happily, as shameless as they are serious."