Photo by John Hollingsworth

THE ORB

Territories: Europe (except BE-NL-UK)

“Modern dance music owes a considerable debt to The Orb, and though their contribution to the genre has been somewhat underappreciated, their output is extraordinary” – POPMATTERS

“Alex is a living legend who’s travelled a clear path through one of the most important journeys of music in recent times; starting with punk, heavily influenced by Jamaican/Windrush generation UK dub and reggae, growing with acid house, inventing chill out, topping the charts, then becoming one of the first arena-sized live electronic acts” – LAUDER THAN WAR

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. To make the whole a bit more listenable – as opposed to danceable – obscure vocal samples were looped, usually providing a theme for tracks which lacked singing.

The Orb’s frontman Dr. Alex Paterson’s formula is 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. To make the whole a bit more listenable — as opposed to danceable — obscure vocal samples were looped, usually providing a theme for tracks which lacked singing.

Paterson is also well known for his solo ambient sets, in which he incorporates a wide array of samples and sound effects—ranging from BBC nature recordings to NASA space broadcasts and special effects. With these samples layered beneath music by ambient pioneers such as Brian Eno and Steve Hillage, his sets became popular alternatives for dancefloor casualties and worn-out club kids.

The Orb are available to perform the AV Live Set, DJ Set or Ambient Set.