Morcheeba

London-based outfit Morcheeba distinguished itself within the mid-’90s trip-hop landscape through its pronounced emphasis on groove, pairing the sweet, fluid vocals of Skye Edwards with the relaxed blend of fusion, funk, and blues crafted by brothers Paul and Ross Godfrey. The group surfaced in 1995 via the Trigger Hippie EP, quickly establishing itself on the trip-hop circuit through releases such as 1998’s Big Calm, 2000’s Fragments of Freedom, and 2002’s Charango, the last of which broadened its reach across mainstream and hip-hop audiences. Following Skye Edwards’s temporary departure—during which Paul and Ross Godfrey recruited fresh singers for both Antidote and Dive Deep—the original vocalist rejoined for the major return album Blood Like Lemonade in 2010. Three years later the lineup split when Paul Godfrey left his brother and Edwards, who subsequently issued material together under their individual names; the remaining pair revived the Morcheeba moniker for Blaze Away in 2018 and Blackest Blue in 2021.

The Godfreys launched the project in 1995 after stepping away from their joint production work on six tracks for David Byrne’s album Feelings. They circulated instrumental demo tapes to London labels with minimal response until vocalist Skye Edwards joined them after a chance meeting at a party, prompting the trio to sign with the China label. Following the Trigger Hippie and Music That We Hear EPs, Morcheeba delivered its debut full-length Who Can You Trust?, which surfaced on the American Discovery imprint in late 1996; the following year the band toured the United States alongside Live and Fiona Apple. Big Calm arrived in 1998, Fragments of Freedom followed in 2000, and Charango appeared in 2002, featuring contributions from Lambchop’s Kurt Wagner, rapper Slick Rick, and two appearances by Pacewon.

A year afterward the compilation Parts of the Process was issued, coinciding with Skye Edwards’s exit. Former Noonday Underground singer Daisy Martey came aboard for 2005’s The Antidote, an acoustic-leaning set that fused psychedelia with Burt Bacharach-styled pop. Martey’s tenure proved brief, so Jody Sternberg handled vocals for the accompanying tour. Dive Deep (2008) shifted further toward folk textures, relying on a rotating roster of singers that included Thomas Dybdahl, Judie Tzuke, Cool Calm Pete, Amanda Zamolo, and Bradley Burgess.

Skye Edwards rejoined the Godfreys for Blood Like Lemonade in 2010 and stayed through the eighth album, Head Up High, released in 2013 with guest spots from Charli 2na, Rizzle Kicks, and White Denim’s James Petralli. In 2014 Paul Godfrey departed, leaving Ross and Skye to continue as a duo; they released Skye & Ross at the close of 2016. Early in 2018 they resumed activity under the Morcheeba banner with the single “Never Undo,” which appeared on that year’s Blaze Away and supported an extensive tour. The pair maintained the Morcheeba identity for 2021’s Blackest Blue, a sultry collection spotlighting the singles “Oh Oh Yeah” and “Killed Our Love.”