The Orb - U. F. ORB (1992)

I have never come across something that is as unique as this one, with DJs sampling different kinds of sound to create something that is so original and sensational.  It came flying in the face of everything before and even after.  To some people, this might sound just like re-hashing the music of both Tangerine Dream (in terms of duration of tracks) and Pink Floyd (in terms of its psychedelic influences), but they have created something that they can proudly called their own. 

I came across this band when one of their singles, "Perpetual Dawn", got heavy radio/video-play in the early 90s.  Their use of electronic music coupling with reggae influences was intriguing, and the various dub mixes of the song displayed the band's creative use of sound and imagination. In their first album, "Adventures Beyond The Ultraworld", you can still detect the obvious influences - Jean Michel Jarre, Floyd, TD, and lots more - it's like a baby attempting to walk. 

My initial reaction to "U. F. Orb" is like - to paraphrase the lyrics from "Perpetual Dawn" - "Wow! What Is this?  I've never heard anything like this before and I don't think I ever will!".  What a concept - it's fresh, innovative, and exciting, and out of this world.  Their musical ideas go through peaks and valleys - just listen to "Blue Room" (and if you can, track down the near 40-minute version of the song).  This disc regularly visited my CD player back in 1992, so to speak! 

This record was re-issued years ago remastered and came with a second disc.  Pick it up if you can find one and become enlightened!