Morcheeba - Dive Deep

The Godfrey brothers have always known how to reinvent themselves without losing what makes Morcheeba so distinctive, and Dive Deep, their sixth studio album released in 2008, is one of the most elegant examples of that gift. Following the departure of vocalist Skye Edwards, Paul and Ross Godfrey once again opted for a rotating cast of guest performers rather than a single permanent replacement, and the collaborations they assembled for Dive Deep are among the most rewarding of their career.

Norwegian singer-songwriter Thomas Dybdahl brings a quietly luminous quality to his contributions, his voice sitting beautifully within the warm, unhurried production that has always defined Morcheeba at their best. French singer Manda Zamolo adds a distinctly continental warmth. Rapper Cool Calm Pete provides an easy, unforced hip-hop sensibility that recalls the downtempo cool of the group's earliest records. And the presence of pop and rock vocalist Judie Tzuke, a cult favorite whose own career stretches back to the late 1970s, lends the album a depth and character that few of their contemporaries could match.

Lead singles "Enjoy The Ride" and "Gained The World" announced the album's arrival with the characteristic Morcheeba combination of groove, melody, and effortless atmosphere, music that sounds as good through headphones at midnight as it does at full volume on a lazy afternoon. Soulful, warm, and beautifully measured, Dive Deep is Morcheeba doing what they have always done better than almost anyone else.

This limited edition of 1,500 individually numbered copies on crystal clear 180-gram audiophile vinyl is the finest possible way to experience it.