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Chart-topping electronica band jekyll-and-hyde releases second album on Optimum Records.

Titled 'evolver', the follow-up to 2004's debut release deviator, jekyll-and-hyde has looked to expand both its musical horizons and its fanbase an evolver in every sense. The group has had worthy commercial success and industry acclaim so far, including five internet chart number 1's.

Now the retro-electro' world is their oyster. Taking from the finest electronica artists of the 1980's, jekyll-and-hyde have boldly created music as much nostalgic for that decade as forward looking. Within a short space of time and with limited press exposure, the group has relied on its raw talent and its keen ear for mixing and sampling. Their five number 1's achieved when unknown and unsigned to a major label is testament to their abilities and the previously untapped market for vintage electro in the noughties that the group have now championed. The masses were crying out for a synth-based duo to take the reins; jekyll-and-hyde stepped in.

jekyll-and-hyde achieved instant artistic merit right from the off, when they were shortlisted finalists in the Future Music Group award for best undiscovered original songwriting from over 8,500 entries in 2000. Word spread among the electro cognoscenti, and within a year the group was playing to crowds of over 30,000 at outdoor radio events the only unsigned act to vie with the likes of Liberty X, Fragma and Tina Cousins for the crowd's adoration. By 2002, after a string of triumphant performances, the group signed to the German independent dance label Cream Records. 2004 saw their debut album deviator released to instant commercial acclaim as part of a collaboration between Cream and b&b records. The single 'If I Could Only' reached number 1 in the internet electronica chart in September 2005, after the successful launch of the group's website (with an incredible 4000 hits a month), with 'Invisible' reaching the top spot in the internet dance chart two months later.

Early 2006 saw jekyll and hyde again reach number 1, with their single SMS, and in August agreed on a distribution deal with Silverword Music Group. Now evolver is soon to hit the world, and the anticipation is growing.

jekyll-and-hyde is as impressive speaking of their music as they are making it: We want to take it to the masses to gain notoriety and respect for all we strive to achieve. We have remained true to ourselves throughout and relentlessly hung in there through thick and thin.

This honesty and single-mindedness has been key to their success, and evolver is set to prove them right at every level. The band describes the record as a highly addictive rush, borderline meticulous new romantic reconstruction. Internet opinion has been unanimous: What you have here is gold! declares one satisfied customer, with the track Invisible described as awesome. Over 80 online independent radio stations have been converted to jekyll and hyde, in particular the evolver singles 'If I Could Only' and 'Invisible'

The band are now being mentioned in the same breath as Soft Cell and Erasure high compliments indeed, though certainly not out of place.

A unique feature of jekyll-and-hyde is that their music can be appreciated at different stages of conception and production. For us, exploitation means allowing the listener to be an integral part of the process and journey in which our tracks undertake from origination to mastering, which would be for most bands, the demo phase. By this, we mean a very precious time, when a track, in its infancy, is both vulnerable and corruptible. This emphasis on the pure artistry of creation and experiment has given them this deserved respect, while staying humble and focused as people. Even a legal threat from the Bee Gees (for the attempted sampling of their hit Stayin Alive) is testament to the high-profile attention they are receiving as serious artists.

With an album containing 11 incredible dance anthems and five number 1's, 'evolver' is the future of nostalgia.


 

The Highlights So Far

2000 sees jekyll-and-hyde Short-listed from over 8,500 entries, as regional finalists in the Future Music Publishing undiscovered originals songwriting competition.

2001 sees them performing to crowds in excess of 30,000 at large outoor radio events as the only unsigned act to support and play main stage alongside the likes of Tina Cousins, Fragma, Liberty X, Sleaze Sisters and many more.

2002 signs jekyll-and-hyde to German independent dance/techno label Cream Records + b&b music Ltd.(Bebb/Bradley Music) becomes a registered company representing the future interests of jekyll-and-hyde

2003 makes jekyll-and-hyde members of the GEMA (the German equivalent of the UKs MCPS/PRS alliance, an organisation to protect all musical copyright & royalty interests of artists and composers)

2004 sees the debut LP of jekyll-and-hyde deviator (CTP 1102) released 2004 as a collaboration between German independent label cream records + b&b records.

Their debut single invisible (CTP1101) was pre-released from deviator in Germany on Cream Records in 2004 with self-titled dance track jekyll-and-hyde (also featured on deviator) as the B-side along with invisible radio, maxi, karaoke & instrumental versions.

2005 and the boys online home at www.jekyll-and-hyde.com is successfully launched.

The same year sees the release of debut album deviator as a joint venture between Cream Records + b&b records

2005 September 2005 If I could only from deviator reaches ..1 in the electronica internet chart November 7th 2005 Invisible tops the ..1 spot in the internet dance chart, whilst If I could Only makes a simultaneous return journey back up the electronica charts hitting the ..1 spot for a 2nd time!

December 2005 and change reaches ..1 in the internet dance chart

2006 February sees SMS hit the ..1 spot in the internet pop chart August 2006 sees jekyll-and-hyde negotiate a distribution deal with the Silverword Music Group

9th October 2006 will see the launch of jekyll-and-hydes much anticipated follow-up LP evolver.


 

DJ Jekyll
Responsible for the musical aspect of the Jekyll and Hyde sound. All programming, co-songwriting, production, arrangement, performance, engineering and general ooomph!

Hyde
Irresponsible for the most part! The rapper, the singer, the session backing, co-songwriter and lyricist.