The Orb is a British electronic music band known for pioneering the genre o… Read Full Bio ↴The Orb is a British electronic music band known for pioneering the genre of ambient house. The Orb is heavily influenced by dub music, and much of their later output has been in the electronic dub category, more so than ambient house.
The group was formed in 1988 by Dr. Alex Paterson (full name Duncan Robert Alex Paterson) and Jimmy Cauty (one half of The Justified Ancients of Mu Mu and later The KLF). The Orb's first release was the acid house anthem "Tripping on Sunshine".
In May 1989, The Orb released the "Kiss EP", which was heavily influenced by New York's KISS FM. Paterson began DJing around London, England at this time when he met Paul Oakenfold. At Oakenfold's behest, Paterson began DJing at Land of Oz, the chill-out room at Heaven.
Paterson mixed samples of BBC nature recordings, NASA space broadcasts and everything in between into the music of ambient pioneers such as Brian Eno. Around this time, Paterson met Steve Hillage and Hillage later contributed guitar to the Orb's "Blue Room" single. In return Paterson worked on Hillage's System 7 project.
In October 1989 The Orb released the 22-minute single "A Huge Ever Growing Pulsating Brain That Rules From the Centre of the Ultraworld", which contains large chunks of Minnie Riperton's "Loving You". The single managed to reach the lower end of the UK chart. Although Paterson and Cauty had been working on a debut album, the two split in April 1990. Cauty removed Paterson's contributions to the album and released the remainder as "Space".
Killing Joke's Youth, who'd recently found dancefloor success with Blue Pearl assisted with the single "Little Fluffy Clouds", but existing commitments made it impossible for him to be anything more than a part-time member. In his place, Paterson recruited Kris Weston (aka Thrash), a young studio engineer who had worked on "Little Fluffy Clouds" and recently left Fortran 5.
In April, 1991, The Orb's debut album, "Adventures Beyond the Ultraworld" was released in the United Kingdom to critical acclaim. The double-album obtained a top 30 placing in the UK.
"U.F.Orb" was released in July, 1992. It featured the 39 minute 59 second "Blue Room" which was their third single to reach the UK charts, although the album version was only 17 minutes long. Early pressings of the album were available in three differently coloured sealed plastic packs (black (10,000) and blue (5,000) in the UK and green (1,000) in the US) containing an additional disc with the soundtrack from Adventures Beyond the Ultraworld (Patterns & Textures edition), a mail order only long form video released by the Orb.
During 1993 and 1994 The Orb were dismayed by Big Life's intention to re-issue some of the Orb's earlier material. As a result, Paterson and Thrash opted out of their contract and Paterson signed an international deal with Chris Blackwell's Island Records. The double-album "Live '93" soon followed. It was a mix of recordings made in Glastonbury, Copenhagen and Tokyo. The album's credits included, Simon Phillips, Nick Burton, Kris Weston, Fluff and of course Paterson.
In June, 1994, they released their first studio album for Island, "Pomme Fritz (The Orb's Little Album)". The album reached number six on the UK, but critics hated it, even comparing Paterson to Pink Floyd's Syd Barrett.
August, 1994 saw the release of a collaboration between Robert Fripp, Paterson, Weston, and Thomas Fehlmann, hence the name FFWD or Fripp, Fehlmann, Weston and Duncan. Weston's input was already diminishing by this time and following the release of FFWD, he finally parted company with Paterson. He was replaced by Thomas Fehlmann.
"Orbus Terrarum" was released in March, 1995. In February, 1997, following an ambitious world tour, they released "Orblivion".
The retrospective "U.F.Off" came in October, 1998 and was initially available in a Limited Edition double CD.
"Cydonia", although recorded in 1999, was delayed by Island until its release in February, 2001. Several different versions of the album were leaked on the Net some time before the official release.
The 2004 released album "Bicycles & Tricycles" strongly departed from their earlier ambient sound, and incorporated strong hip-hop influenced rhythms, including rap on one of the tracks.
In 2005 The Orb released a new studio album, "Okie Dokie It's The Orb On Kompakt", which focused heavily on the microhouse and pop ambient sounds that the Kompakt label is well known for.
2005 also saw the release of "Orbsessions Volume 1", which was an album of rarities from throughout The Orbs' career.
Sadly, Andy Hughes, long-time mixer and producer of many of The Orb's works, passed away on June 12 2009, following a 'short illness'.
The group was formed in 1988 by Dr. Alex Paterson (full name Duncan Robert Alex Paterson) and Jimmy Cauty (one half of The Justified Ancients of Mu Mu and later The KLF). The Orb's first release was the acid house anthem "Tripping on Sunshine".
In May 1989, The Orb released the "Kiss EP", which was heavily influenced by New York's KISS FM. Paterson began DJing around London, England at this time when he met Paul Oakenfold. At Oakenfold's behest, Paterson began DJing at Land of Oz, the chill-out room at Heaven.
Paterson mixed samples of BBC nature recordings, NASA space broadcasts and everything in between into the music of ambient pioneers such as Brian Eno. Around this time, Paterson met Steve Hillage and Hillage later contributed guitar to the Orb's "Blue Room" single. In return Paterson worked on Hillage's System 7 project.
In October 1989 The Orb released the 22-minute single "A Huge Ever Growing Pulsating Brain That Rules From the Centre of the Ultraworld", which contains large chunks of Minnie Riperton's "Loving You". The single managed to reach the lower end of the UK chart. Although Paterson and Cauty had been working on a debut album, the two split in April 1990. Cauty removed Paterson's contributions to the album and released the remainder as "Space".
Killing Joke's Youth, who'd recently found dancefloor success with Blue Pearl assisted with the single "Little Fluffy Clouds", but existing commitments made it impossible for him to be anything more than a part-time member. In his place, Paterson recruited Kris Weston (aka Thrash), a young studio engineer who had worked on "Little Fluffy Clouds" and recently left Fortran 5.
In April, 1991, The Orb's debut album, "Adventures Beyond the Ultraworld" was released in the United Kingdom to critical acclaim. The double-album obtained a top 30 placing in the UK.
"U.F.Orb" was released in July, 1992. It featured the 39 minute 59 second "Blue Room" which was their third single to reach the UK charts, although the album version was only 17 minutes long. Early pressings of the album were available in three differently coloured sealed plastic packs (black (10,000) and blue (5,000) in the UK and green (1,000) in the US) containing an additional disc with the soundtrack from Adventures Beyond the Ultraworld (Patterns & Textures edition), a mail order only long form video released by the Orb.
During 1993 and 1994 The Orb were dismayed by Big Life's intention to re-issue some of the Orb's earlier material. As a result, Paterson and Thrash opted out of their contract and Paterson signed an international deal with Chris Blackwell's Island Records. The double-album "Live '93" soon followed. It was a mix of recordings made in Glastonbury, Copenhagen and Tokyo. The album's credits included, Simon Phillips, Nick Burton, Kris Weston, Fluff and of course Paterson.
In June, 1994, they released their first studio album for Island, "Pomme Fritz (The Orb's Little Album)". The album reached number six on the UK, but critics hated it, even comparing Paterson to Pink Floyd's Syd Barrett.
August, 1994 saw the release of a collaboration between Robert Fripp, Paterson, Weston, and Thomas Fehlmann, hence the name FFWD or Fripp, Fehlmann, Weston and Duncan. Weston's input was already diminishing by this time and following the release of FFWD, he finally parted company with Paterson. He was replaced by Thomas Fehlmann.
"Orbus Terrarum" was released in March, 1995. In February, 1997, following an ambitious world tour, they released "Orblivion".
The retrospective "U.F.Off" came in October, 1998 and was initially available in a Limited Edition double CD.
"Cydonia", although recorded in 1999, was delayed by Island until its release in February, 2001. Several different versions of the album were leaked on the Net some time before the official release.
The 2004 released album "Bicycles & Tricycles" strongly departed from their earlier ambient sound, and incorporated strong hip-hop influenced rhythms, including rap on one of the tracks.
In 2005 The Orb released a new studio album, "Okie Dokie It's The Orb On Kompakt", which focused heavily on the microhouse and pop ambient sounds that the Kompakt label is well known for.
2005 also saw the release of "Orbsessions Volume 1", which was an album of rarities from throughout The Orbs' career.
Sadly, Andy Hughes, long-time mixer and producer of many of The Orb's works, passed away on June 12 2009, following a 'short illness'.
From A Distance
The Orb Lyrics
We have lyrics for 'From A Distance' by these artists:
3/4 Peace I've been through rain, I know about pain I dealt with…
African Children's Choir From a distance the world looks blue and green And the…
Alan Jackson Just another bar With loud guitars Smoke and candles burning…
Ashengrace from a distance I see this cynical world has come…
B. Midler From a distance the world looks blue and green And the…
Becky Jane Taylor From a distance the world looks blue and green, And the…
Becky Taylor From a distance the world looks blue and green, And the…
Bette Midler From a distance the world looks blue and green And the…
Bigbang Don't you know you better get some sleep you better get…
Cindy Walker From a distance the world looks blue and green And the…
Cliff Richard & The Shadows From a distance, the world looks blue and green, And the…
Corey Smith Amanda was a small town blonde haired beauty She had Heaven…
D.J. Rock 90's Something in the way you stare Something that makes me wanna…
Elaine Paige From a distance the world looks blue and green And the…
Eleaze You always used to say You got a big heart my…
Emi Fujita From a distance The world looks blue and green And the snow…
Foster & Allen From a distance the world looks blue and green And the…
Gang Starr & Jeru the Damager It's King Equality with lines cocked back to add on Word…
ida'ye I'm trying to find the words to tell you why…
James Galway Vincent Fanuele & The Galway Pops Orchestra From a distance the world looks blue and green And the…
James Last From a distance the world looks blue and green And the…
Jayem I've said some things that I'm not proud of Cause lately…
John Barrowman From a distance the world looks blue and green And the…
Judy Collins From a distance the world looks blue and green And the…
Julie Gold From a distance the world looks blue and green And the…
Kathy Mattea From a distance the world looks blue and green, And…
Ken Tobias The way you walk the way you talk The way you…
Larkin From a distance the world looks blue and green And the…
Lene Siel God is watching us, God is watching us God is watching…
Michael Ball From a distance the world looks blue and green And the…
P.F. Sloan Psych F Second City Royalty Sit back and let that shit stac…
P.J. Powers with Dobie Gray Never thought I'd miss the way I miss you Didn't think…
Phil Coulter From a distance the world looks blue and green And the…
Poverty's No Crime When I look around now what do I see The faces…
Poverty´s No Crime when I look around now what do I see the faces…
Rebecca From a distance the world looks blue and green, and the…
Richard Clayderman & James Last From a distance the world looks blue and green And the…
Rick Nelson Oh I hate to love you Love you from a distance And…
Ronan Tynan From a distance the world looks blue and green And the…
Russ I've been out of state You been stuck in yours It's not…
Sophia Bastian I love you from a distance, You- you know to resist Boy,…
Star-mix 想い出包み込み 街路が又動き出す 涙や笑顔の理由 それぞれに抱えて 世界の何処にでも 同じ朝が 訪れ Heartを真白く…
STL From a Distance Bette Midler From a distance the world looks…
Suede From a distance the world looks blue and green And the…
The Blue Rubatos From a distance the world looks blue and green And the…
The Cue and Amy Jo Before I'm your everything Before you're in love with me I w…
The Drowners she won't settle for a creep like me ain't i good…
The Harlem Gospel Singers & Band Reaching from the window stole the moon Where were we flowin…
V.A. I suppose you're right You know, I used to just like…
Various Artists From a distance, the world looks blue and green And the…
Zoo Brazil Ft. Wolf And Moon Remember the time you was all alone And I was just…
We have lyrics for these tracks by The Orb:
A Beautiful Day To the North of Kathmandu There's tiny children sniffing gl…
A Huge Ever Growing Pulsating Brain That Rules From the Centre of the Ultraworld Loving you Is easy ′cause you're beautiful Making love with …
A Huge Evergrowing Pulsating Brain That Rules from the Centre of the Ultraworld (Orbital Dance Mix) Loving you Is easy 'cause you're beautiful Making love with …
Aftermath All of their bodies around me I hear their voices inside The…
Ali Baba My dream last night was about Ali Baba With the forty…
Captain Korma O'g'ling yurmas izingdan, bosh egilsa qizingdan, Neki bo'lsa…
Centuries Du du du du, du du du-du Du du du du,…
Codes The lyrics are in french, performed by Caroluna (The song, "…
Daze You've been been missing for daze Missing for daze Missing f…
Delta mk 2 Over the past few years To the traditional sounds of the…
Double Barrel I am the magnificent, I'm backed by the shack of…
Earth Klytus, I'm bored. What play thing can you offer me…
First The first time ever I saw your face I thought the…
Golden Clouds - feat. Lee "Scratch" Perry So Mr. Parí oolaí oolaí what were the skies like when you…
H. O. O H.O.M.E high orbs mini earths…
Have You Seen Her One month ago today I was happy as a lark But now…
House of Narcotics Hey Baby Yeah, yeah, yeah Hey baby, yeah I just need to be…
Little Fluffy Clouds Over the past few years To the traditional sounds of the…
Little Fluffy Clouds (Ambient Mix 1) Over the past few years, to the traditional sounds of an…
Little Fluffy Clouds (Cumulo Nimbus mix) Over the past few years To the traditional sounds of the…
Little Fluffy Clouds (dance mix 2) ''John Waite'' over the past few years, to the traditional s…
little fluffy clouds (dance mk Over the past few years To the traditional sounds of the…
Long Shot Kick De Bucket What a weepin' and wailin' dung a Caymanas park What a…
No Fun No fun my babe no fun No fun my babe no…
O.O.B.E. Mayan moon was burning We saw visions of the past…
Once More Tree grow to new dimensions Leaves fall further than before …
Pi Pt. 2 I don't wanna be alone I don't wanna be alone Derrama tus…
Plateau And now folks, for an old familiar favourite We've had many…
Police & Thieves Police and thieves in the streets Oh yeah! Scaring the natio…
S.A.L.T Did you ever get the felling you're being followed? Are y…
S.A.L.T. Did you ever get the felling you're being followed? Are you…
Slug Dub [Thomas] Aww... slugs again! [Samuel the Narrator] Yes,…
Taking Tiger Mountain We climbed and we climbed, Oh, how we climbed My, how we…
The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face The first time ever I saw your face I thought the…
Towers of Dub Security Hello, is that reception, London Weekend Television…
Toxygene Oh what a beauty I've never seen one as big as…
Uptown Top Ranking See me in me heels and ting Dem check sey we…
Warszawa Mmmm-mm-mm-ommm Sula vie dilejo Mmmm-mm-mm-ommm Sula vie mi…
The lyrics are frequently found in the comments by searching or by filtering for lyric videos
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Cameron Trevino
This is a great morning song to get awake to!
DontDoItRiggs
Had this song stuck in my head and couldn't find it until I stumbled upon this. Thank you!!!!
mattfran
I love this version - can you anyone give me the exact title of this mix?
Stephane Gregory Dan
I just found this clip a few days ago. I didn't even know it an I feel so funky with it. It's just great.
BelatedCommiseration
In fact both the song and video are pretty damn good if you ask me...
muteboyuk
Great tune. Can't stop listening to it. Great video too - see how many times Alex Paterson (The Orb) appears in this video - I count at least 4. Hint: he's the DJ at 3:09.
Nuxx
actually there's at least 8 of him
Thomas Surey-Gent
does anyone know what album this is off, im gathering a collection of the music from my childhood, and i realy need the orb's collection, as they were (and are) one of my all time faves anyway, if anyone can help, much thanks
Troy Salmond
10 years later. This particular mix is off the album "bicycles and tricycles" specifically the japanese import album. The us and UK editions had a different mix which is still great, but I prefer this one. Hope that helps.
Jabril Ivory
I love the Japenese anime, I'm a huge fan of that and The Orb.