Great news for fans of the Orb, a new album is in the works with David Gilmour (Pink Floyd fame):

In an interview with The List, Dr Alex Paterson said “I’ve just started work on an album with David Gilmour from Pink Floyd which I think every Orb and Pink Floyd fan will want to hear.”

Granted, the album is not expected any time soon but the very thought of the combo working together just sends thoughts of ambient genius racing through my mind.

Here it is, the 3rd demo in the Enhanced series.  This one is an ambient venture that is intended as a break between the first two demos and the final track that I am currently working on… kinda like a quick breather before one has desert.  

This track was completed with all analog gear – all monosythings – which was a fun experiment and is WONDERFUL for background music and relaxing…

Download Enhanced (Unenhanced)

or take a listen

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About a month ago I made mention that process of producing my next effort, an ambient / dub / abstract album.  As of 11/18/2008 I had 7 tracks in various forms of production, and I even released 3 of the demos, but production on this album has come to a halt.

Why?  Because of my mentality.

When I am producing ambient / dub, I have to be in a certain frame of mind.   That is not to say I have to be “happy”, but I cannot really be off my game or I simply don’t care about making music that would make me relax.  Actually, all ideas – all inspiration for any ambient production – simply vanishes.  Instead, what I wanted to develop is aggressive, hard, electronic music.   

So, for the last three weeks I have been focusing on another project – under another name (not trying to be super secretive, but it will come out later).  As of now it really has a life of its own.  I have nothing specific in mind, but it’s turning out to be music that is highly aggressive but engaging at the very same time.

To give you an idea, I’ve already released the first demo track, titled “Enhanced”. I find that my ability to produce music of this nature comes very easily when I am in this state of mind. Once I have everything down, a little bit of polish during the re-write portion of production will allow me to have some outstanding tracks.

More to come!

Just happened to find this one, here is the video for The Orb’s semi-new song “Vuja De”, off of their “The Dream” album.

If you are a fan of The Orb or The KLF, and you are unaware of the Transit Kings, let me educate you.

Much like the two previously mentioned groups, The Transit Kings are an electronic music act that produces music oddly similar to the genius work of our ambient heroes. Oh, and the Transit Kings are made up of Alex Paterson, Guy Pratt, Jimmy Cauty, and Dom Beken.

Hmmm… The Orb or KLF anyone?

Their only full album, “Living in a Giant Candle Winking at God”, came out back in 2006. It was amazing, simply amazing. For some reason, however, the group never continued to put out work. Maybe it is due to focusing on their other projects, I am unsure.

Well, klf.de pointed out that a limited edition CDR, burnt from The Transit King mixing desk, is available via their record label. Sad to say this is not a proper album rather remixes and a liver performance that was previously unreleased, but it is still nice to have new material.

Below you will find a rather cool video to The Orb’s “From a Distance”. The version used in the video is not the same as the album version.

If anyone has info on where to get this version, please email me.

Now *THIS* is a rare treat.  

What we have here is (not a failure to communicate) but a live Orb show from 1997 recorded at The Avalon in Boston.  God, the last time I heard this was almost a decade ago.  

I do not believe this is a soundboard recording, one can hear too many comments in the crowd, but the quality of the songs themselves is outstanding.  The recording is in stereo and centered quite well and includes a number of tracks I’ve never heard live before.  A must have for any fan of The Orb.

The track listing is:

1. A Huge Ever Growing…
2. Bedouin
3. Blue Room
4. Delta MK II
5. Little Fluffy Clouds
6. Outlands
7. S.A.L.T
8. Spanish Castles in Space
9. Terminus
10. Toxygene

Yesterday I got a google email alert point me over to klf.de.  Apparently, this past March, The Orb did a promotional mix CD for a magazine based out of Greece called “Freeze”.

I couldn’t find a link to the mix track on klf.de, or the site it linked to, so I turned to “The Google” for some help.  After doing a bunch of searching I happened to find it…

This tracking listing is:

1. The Orb – Dark Star Intro
2. The Orb – Plateau (All Hands On 2 AM Mix) [unreleased]
3. Bill Taylor – Benson Arizona
4. The Orb – Hold Me Tight Version 2 [unreleased]
5. The Orb – Hold Me Tight Version 1 [unreleased]
6. Zulu Chant – Version
7. The Orb – The Truth Is
8. The Orb – Phantom of Ukraine
9. Bounty Killa – Many Gal
10. The Upsetters – Sipple Dub
11. The Orb – Tower Twenty Three
12. Madorb – Hole in The Sky
13. The Orb – U Make Me Outro

Be aware, this is a mix (one giant song) that has a running time of about an hour. 

Download it here!

I just couldn’t focus on track number four because of this track, so I decided to add a few more things and call this one “done” for the demo, so here you go…

EDP/VMS Demo #3

So, a few notes from the studio note pad.

• the samples fit perfectly, but I need a bit more atmosphere
• I am doctor up the sitar a bit more
• the bass hit may continue a few more times (maybe 1)
• depending on a few other minor changes I may make – after listening to this over and over – this may easily be the intro track to the rest of the album

Back in 94, The Fireman quietly release an album called “Strawberries Oceans Ships Forest“… it’s an electronic / ambient adventure that contains nine versions, or remixes, on a single theme set to a moderately paced drum rhythm of one track.  1998 roles around to see the release of “Rushes” but this time the songs and textures are varied and is much more like a proper album.

Well, it turns out The Fireman is Paul McCartney and Youth (producer/remixer) but one would never know McCartney is behind the project.  The work sounds nothing like him.  

A good 10 years on and they are back with another album - Electric Arguments  - and the release date is set for 11/25 here in the US.  Their past work is essential for any ambient fan, I have no doubt the upcoming release will be a requirement as well.