Pitch Black - Ape to Angel (Dubmission)

The Pitch Black sound is created by Paddy Free and Michael Hodgson. It ranges from organic ambient and layered soundscapes to skanting keyboards, cutting acid riffs and thumping rhythmic grooves, with dub being the glue that holds their music together. Sometimes more on a housy/techno trail , then moving into drum and bass rhythms, this album has it all.

The Pitch Blacks have quietly built up a name for themselves over the years and the dedication to their craft has begun to yield some notice in other corners of the world. Reason is their music has reached a stage where they're at one with their sound - dubby psychedelia - and aren't afraid to export it to other styles.
There's a cool confidence in their work, a trait that was quite common in the big 'electronica' acts of the 90's, like Underworld and Leftfield.

Pitch Black's sound encompasses far more: psy dub is merely a starting reference. Free and Hodgson show an affinity for the cavernous sounds that echo, delay and reverb effects can create, but they don't get caught up in the novelty of it like some dub producers do; providing texture is their main goal with the sound.
As for the psychedelic part, it too doesn't get bogged down with over-indulgence. There's some loose arrangements and some squiggly sounds, but none of which are a track's focus. And in case rhythms and effects aren't enough for your head to chew on, your attention will easily be drawn to the warm melodies bubbling just beneath the surface.

Ape to Angel certainly is a diverse album, but glued together with Pitch Black's own style and sound.