One Hundred and Eleven

This week, we'll feature the music of the Orb. Of all the bands that inspired us and helped formulate the scope of this program, it was The Orb's determination to move the mind as well as the hips. Blending the pioneering electronica of Tangerine Dream and the beats of Chicago's warehouse scene with the deep dub of scratch Perry and Byrne and Eno's Bush of Ghosts sampling, The Orb remain a central pillar of today's electronic music. And so dawn breaks for 'A Beautiful Day'

That comes from The Orb's 2007 release 'The Dream' but 'The Truth Is'

Look for more at www.theorb.com


The Orb virtually invented the electronic genre known as ambient house, resurrecting slower, more soulful rhythms and providing a soundtrack for early-morning ravers once the clubs closed their doors. The group popularized the genre as well; by appearing on the British chart show Top of the Pops and hitting number one in the U.K. with the 1992 album U.F.Orb. Frontman Dr. Alex Paterson's formula was quite simple: he slowed down the rhythms of classic Chicago house and added synthwork and effects inspired by '70s ambient pioneers Brian Eno and Tangerine Dream.

The Orb's first actual foray into ambient house appeared in October 1989. The 22-minute single "A Huge Ever Growing Pulsating Brain That Rules From the Centre of the Ultraworld,” actually hit the U.K. charts that year.

In June 1992, the single "Blue Room" hit the British Top Ten. The longest single in chart history at just under 40 minutes, it earned the Orb a spot on Top of the Pops.

A dozen albums plus singles later the Orb made its 'The Dream' album available to podcasters at the Podsafe Music Network. Here is 'Codes'

This is The Orb special on Idyllic Music.

Alex Paterson's Orb is a more free-form collective, taking in associates like Jim Cauty and Killing Joke bassist Youth, Thomas Fehlmann, Kris Weston as well as Gong guitarist Steve Hillage and Jah Wobble. The links are often actual, sometimes sampled and occasionally involuntary. The orb remains one of the most important bands of the last 25 years. This is 'Katskills'

You'll be able to hear the complete 'The Dream' album at www.reverbnation.com/theorb and find more links at www.idyllicmusic.com

You can also find the complete archive of show notes, links to all the artists featured on the podcast over the years and lots of free streaming audio as well.

Thanks for listening. I'm Jim Nye.

Comments