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Long-running UK electronic group, originally formed by Jimmy Cauty (of The KLF) and Alex Paterson in 1988, that grew out of a love of ambient music and dub, soundscapes and science fiction. Due to the early work in this style, The Orb became pioneers of the early-90's-born "ambient house" genre. The group's lineup has shifted over the years, with Alex being the only consistent member. Notable members include Thrash and Thomas Fehlmann. Though he was never officially a member, Youth (a.k.a. Martin Glover) was instrumental throughout the group's existence, and co-owned the label WAU! Mr. Modo Recordings with Alex (they had known each other since they were young, and Alex was a roadie for the group Killing Joke, in which Youth played bass).
The Orb
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theorb.com, Bandcamp, Facebook, instagram.com, Twitter, Bookogs, vimeo.com, Wikipedia, orb-news.blogspot.com, fanart.tv
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The Orb
Marketplace 15,714 For Sale
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Reviews Show All 32 Reviews
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lerosa
August 12, 2019
Don't bother with anything after '94, for better or worse Trash was the visionary of the Orb, compare their Live 93 to Toxygene, worlds apart. Hughes or Falconer really didn't get remotely close.
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schtel
April 8, 2018
The Orb — a name derived from Woody Allen’s sci-fi film, "Sleepers". [Frank Hoffman, "Encyclopedia of Recorded Sound (2nd Edition)" (Routledge, 2004), p. 778.]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KAKWKfVcd04
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KAKWKfVcd04
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Rich.C
January 13, 2017
The Orb is perhaps the best-known name in mainstream Ambient music, and for all the right reasons. Since the end of the 1980s, Alex Paterson and a changing list of collaborators have produced chilled-out, ecstatic grooves and fluffy, flowing remixes for dancers greeting the dawn.
Their output is every bit as brilliant and stunning as the rising sun after a long night of physical flow and endless four/four pounding. Multicolored synth lines run like a watercolor palette in the rain. They layer blissful selections from Pink Floyd, Minnie Riperton, Ennio Morricone and Rickie Lee Jones to create a harmonious pastiche of original music, seamless samples and astute dialog.
...As the Orb's pulsating harmonies weave self-contained ecosystems of sound, delirious beats climb up the mix like vines, heavy with sweet fruit, ready for plucking.
Their output is every bit as brilliant and stunning as the rising sun after a long night of physical flow and endless four/four pounding. Multicolored synth lines run like a watercolor palette in the rain. They layer blissful selections from Pink Floyd, Minnie Riperton, Ennio Morricone and Rickie Lee Jones to create a harmonious pastiche of original music, seamless samples and astute dialog.
...As the Orb's pulsating harmonies weave self-contained ecosystems of sound, delirious beats climb up the mix like vines, heavy with sweet fruit, ready for plucking.
AndyPandy2000
January 31, 2016
Always been very keen on both The Orb and Pink Floyd so was very excited and not disappointed by The Orb and Dave Gilmour's 'Metallic Spheres' so why isn't it here?!
K1tSVW
December 8, 2015
edited over 5 years ago
There were some bald persons shouting "I hope you fall down!" to Alex at Quart '94. I didn't agree.
ian_s
June 13, 2014
This is quite an incendiary piece by Thrash. It's quite long, but a good read.
https://krisweston.com/index.php/rant/
https://krisweston.com/index.php/rant/
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theyettidog
August 15, 2011
edited over 9 years ago
well i have to say i am stunned, shocked, and totally in disbelief that unless there is some glitch with Discogs, that there are only 2 reviews on the Orb - surely that can't be.......well i am not going to say too much about them as im sure if your a collector or in to their releases & remixes, then there is nothing i can say that hasn't already been thought or said (sounds like the ramblings that should be an excerpt from one of their outings)!!!
having said that, Alex has continued on this banwagon for what seems like 25 yrs now and the releases just got better and better (and stranger to some degree - POMME FRITZ) but also have to say that in the latter yrs, their stuff hasn't been quite right - don't know what is, but there is a distinct lack of some input or direction. trust me i never thought i would say this about the orb, but i think I prefer the orb releases (especially albums) up until about the point of Bicyles & Tricycles - sure there have been some odd toots that have come along which in my opinion are scrapings from older projects revamped to get an album out - and don't get me wrong, there were some standout pieces amongst them, but overall, nowadays their seems to be something missing..............like .......Andy Hughes & Thomas Fehlmann (forgive if thats mispelt). i wished they would get back in the studio with thrash and get some good old classics reborn into 2011 and beyond cos i tell you now, together - these guys knew how.
i am not going to rave about their individual set pieces, but those who are new to this genre and particularly The Orb, my advice is definitely start with their earlier stuff from 1991 - 2001 as this was the decade it was all happening...........as IMO unfortunately i think if you checked their most recent ensembles from the last 10 yrs, there is too many changes on the collaborations front and although change is good in some cases, i think overall, it has killed what is some of my fondest moments in ambient history.
apologies to all that disagree with this, it is only my personal opinion and is no way meant as a discredit to The Orb or Mr P as im sure if you check my keen interest and enthusiasm with the orb (by viewing my collection) and their material, i own nearly everything thats has come out and for the record, some that hasn't come out. i also have an extensive collection of bootleg and live mixes from their Live performances......put it this way - if you liked the LIVE 93 album, you aint heard nothing until you've heard and experienced listening to the actual LIVE recordings of the 3 night performances in Tokyo 93 - it is truly amazing and will leave a true orb fan speechless (especially if monged out ha ha)!!!
having said that, Alex has continued on this banwagon for what seems like 25 yrs now and the releases just got better and better (and stranger to some degree - POMME FRITZ) but also have to say that in the latter yrs, their stuff hasn't been quite right - don't know what is, but there is a distinct lack of some input or direction. trust me i never thought i would say this about the orb, but i think I prefer the orb releases (especially albums) up until about the point of Bicyles & Tricycles - sure there have been some odd toots that have come along which in my opinion are scrapings from older projects revamped to get an album out - and don't get me wrong, there were some standout pieces amongst them, but overall, nowadays their seems to be something missing..............like .......Andy Hughes & Thomas Fehlmann (forgive if thats mispelt). i wished they would get back in the studio with thrash and get some good old classics reborn into 2011 and beyond cos i tell you now, together - these guys knew how.
i am not going to rave about their individual set pieces, but those who are new to this genre and particularly The Orb, my advice is definitely start with their earlier stuff from 1991 - 2001 as this was the decade it was all happening...........as IMO unfortunately i think if you checked their most recent ensembles from the last 10 yrs, there is too many changes on the collaborations front and although change is good in some cases, i think overall, it has killed what is some of my fondest moments in ambient history.
apologies to all that disagree with this, it is only my personal opinion and is no way meant as a discredit to The Orb or Mr P as im sure if you check my keen interest and enthusiasm with the orb (by viewing my collection) and their material, i own nearly everything thats has come out and for the record, some that hasn't come out. i also have an extensive collection of bootleg and live mixes from their Live performances......put it this way - if you liked the LIVE 93 album, you aint heard nothing until you've heard and experienced listening to the actual LIVE recordings of the 3 night performances in Tokyo 93 - it is truly amazing and will leave a true orb fan speechless (especially if monged out ha ha)!!!
Cynical
February 12, 2003
I agree that The Orb are a fantastic collective and produce some of the most remarkable remixes I've ever heard. I must add though that The Pink Floyd Remixes were not created by Alex Patterson (only remaining founder member) or any other member of The Orb collective, but by an dj from America who realised that the bootleg cd would sell faster with the Orb label rather than his own. Please don't let this prevent you from tracking down and buying the remixes though - they are very good. I've been a collector of Orb merchandise since the Kiss e.p. and own every single item released (and some that never were or will be due to copyright problems), I've seen The orb perform live too many time to count and have interviewed Alex and other members of the group on several occasions for various different publications on a variety of different subjects.
Keep your eyes peeled for the new album due for release at some point this year, working title "Orbisnowhere".
Keep your eyes peeled for the new album due for release at some point this year, working title "Orbisnowhere".
256Pi
April 1, 2020