Hybrid's lush, classical approach to house music has gained them a reputation as serious musicians in a genre with -- let's be honest -- a great number of amateurs. Trance and progressive house have all but faded to the sidelines of popular electronic music (especially in the United States), written off as dated or repetitive by many but the most devoted fans. Britain's nu-rave scene brought attention back to higher BPMs and '90s fashions, but the movement was doomed by irony almost before it began.

In the midst of these fads, though, Hybrid's 1999 album

(originally titled Wide Angle and re-released as Wider Angle with b-sides and live cuts) remains a landmark accomplishment. Finished Symphony (Live) , a gorgeously cinematic, genre-bending piece of music, introduced the group to a global audience and landed on countless late-night DJ mixes (as well as an episode of the British program Top Gear -- by far the greatest car show ever made). Sinequanon , a chilled-out break-beat track, features the sweeping orchestration that characterizes their best work and this album as a whole.

Their latest production, 2006's

, demonstrates consistency rarely found at their level of popularity: the webzine Tiny Mix Tapes claims that "it inarguably earns its place in their catalogue with the most refined use of an orchestra yet," strong words considering the level of musicianship on Wider Angle. Here, Hybrid expand their sound even further to include alternative rock: New Order's Peter Hook contributes vocals to Dogstar along with Jane's Addiction front-man Perry Farrell, and Porno for Pyros guitarist Peter DiStefano appears later on the album.

Hybrid's music may not grab you immediately or convert you to a new genre; it's certainly difficult to present them in snippets and samples. But if you don't know it already, pick up Finished Symphony and set aside ten minutes to listen to it. Then go from there. Trust me on this one.