Some things you may not know about The Orb; in 1992 they were entered into the Guinness Book of Records with the then longest ever single, 'Blue Room' (39 minutes and 58 seconds long.) Perhaps more bizarrely, they once recorded a reggae version of The Bee Gees 'I Started The Joke' with Robbie Williams. Oh, and they also once collaborated with the King Crimson guitarist whose name gave birth to an entire musical term, Robert 'Frippery' Fripp. So you see, things dont always make (conventional) sense in Orb world. Here, friends, there are no rules.
For the further uninitiated, a brief Orb history. Centred around the notorious "Doctor" Alex Paterson, The Orb first landed some twelve years ago, and have featured roaming collaborators such as Jimmy Cauty (later of KLF), long- term partner Kris "Thrash" Weston and most recently long- time Orb engineer Andy Hughes. During their Alex/Thrash period they recorded what would become a seminal 6am record, 'Little Fluffy Clouds'. Then came a few more studio albums, a live album, a greatest hits (wittingly entitled 'U.F Off') and by 1998 they'd left the tape decks of spaced crusties for the rather more palatial surrounds of the Royal Albert Hall. And then... nothing. Until now.
'Cydonia' marks their triumphant return. Are they making any more sense than usual? Well, that all depends on what state of mind youre in! Opener and single 'Once More' is relatively conventional and pleasant, though the Bedrock remix promised should spice it up a bit. More interesting by far though is 'Promis' which manages to combine dubby synths and orchestral strings, and 'Turn It Down' which has fairly old skool techno beats like early Eat Static, or indeed, early Orb.
Generally 'Cydonia' is in chill- out mode, though the surreal and amusing monologue confusing linguaphone courses with upholstery ("Finally, in the true tradition of upholstery craftsmanship, you listen; you repeat; you understand) to a background of fairground music that is 'Egnable' has to be heard to be believed.
We also have live favourite 'A Mile Long Lump Of Lard' (though as enigmatic titles go it's not exactly 'Little Fluffy Clouds') and nine other tracks of varying mess-with-your-head/relax to the point of falling asleep quality.
If you didnt get 'U.F.Orb' or 'Orblivion', this ain't going to change your mind. If youve never heard The Orb before, though, this is as good an introduction as any. Try it, you might just like it!
