But even Pure Shores for All Saints, not a clue. I remember in the studio thinking: ‘Oh my God, this is a turd. How am I going to deliver this to the label tomorrow?’ I’d been working on it for two months and had totally lost sight of its potential.” a b c d e f g "William Orbit - The Recording Academy". GRAMMY.com. The Recording Academy . Retrieved 11 August 2019. That’s the primary role of a producer: be there. When it’s the artist’s project, they need to be able to be in the moment and know that it’s being recorded by someone who’s listening. Don’t ever neglect them.” William / Orbit (2002, Universal) – U.S. two-disc publishing CD set to support William Orbit's publishing catalogue [32]

The Mix’ was actually supervised by KRAFTWERK themselves, with the most significant makeover being ‘Radioactivity’ and its additional unsettling machine chant of “TSCHERNOBYL – HARRISBURGH – SELLAFIELD – HIROSHIMA” for an anti-nuclear message highlighting recent atomic catastrophes. For the single release, remixes were farmed out externally and Orbit’s version offered a more preferable electro enhancement than François Kevorkian’s house laden rework. Comprising Orbit, Laurie Mayer, Grant Gilbert and latterly Rico Conning who subsequently worked with Martin Gore on the ‘Counterfeit’ collection, TORCH SONG were signed by music entrepreneur by Miles Copeland; the advance allowed for Orbit to build up his Guerilla Studios. ‘Prepare To Energise’ is probably still their best known tune, a pulsating cosmic club favourite with robotic voices and synthesized textures which featured in the film ‘Bachelor Party’ that was maybe ahead of its time. One moment he could be performing an intimate show in the Roxy with just Madonna and his trusty guitar, the next he could be DJing in an underground club or participating as a lecturer in any high level international arts and culture festival. He could be creating or hosting arts programs for the BBC World Service, developing steampunk drum robots such as his and Rico Conning’s Gogobot or simply painting. A new discipline he’s explored in recent years, Orbit’s creations often articulate a similar methodology he’s approached his music with; a vivid fusion of analogue and digital, ideas both old and new, and a sharp eye for the ergonomic and mechanical. Once again, they reflect that sense of adventure that’s characterised William’s career, galvanised his artistry in all its capacities and created a unique vantage point in electronic music that’s rooted in the flux of multiple musical traditions and artforms. It’s a flux that he continues to create his own universes in with his latest endeavour ‘WFO’. The success of Ray Of Light propelled William’s career, but he reflects: “I didn’t know how to deal with that level of success. A cleverer person than me would have gone: ‘You’ve won the lottery! You’ve made a record everyone loves and made a shitload of money.

Credits (8)

Imposter syndrome has been with me all along. I don’t think I’m a real musician, because I need notes written in Sharpie to tell me what to play on the piano. I’m good on guitar, but I’ve always felt a fake. During hours of studio time, if something marvellous does happen, you’d better capture it,” he smiles. “A lot of what you hear on Ray Of Light are moments captured when we didn’t really know that the tape was rolling.” I’ve seen enough bad shit and, yes, I wanted some joy. We like our artists to be mawkish and sad, but I don’t necessarily believe they have to be broiling with sadness.” Another delighted smile. “I’ll be getting a tambourine out next.”

Perfume Ranges and Teen Fashion Contests' Took up All Madonna's Time: Producer Sounds off on 'MDNA' Flop". 18 May 2012. That’s an incredible honour, but I don’t ask for details! I also get told – especially for Pieces In A Modern Style – that parents play my music to calm fractious children.I ’ m coming in from the cold,” announces William Orbit, as he prepares to release his first album for eight years.

However, it was within dance-oriented pop that Orbit made his fortune through productions characterised by his trancey soundscapes, sparing fretwork and understated rhythmic construction. He even had a Top5 hit bearing his own name, albeit with a radically different trance remix by Ferry Corsten of ‘Adagio For Strings’ in 2000. Ewing, Jerry (26 September 2023). "William Orbit to perform with Hawkwind at the Royal Albert Hall". Louder Sound . Retrieved 28 September 2023.

With his new found fame via MADONNA, Orbit was given the opportunity to reissue ‘Pieces In A Modern Style’ and included several new recordings, one of which was Ludwig Van Beethoven’s lesser known ‘Triple Concerto’. With synthetic bells and glistening pentatonics reminiscent of Ryuichi Sakamoto added for a soothing lullaby effect, use was also made of the metallic percussive loop that had been part of his version of Arvo Pärt’s ‘Cantus’ from the original withdrawn album… waste not, want not!

If you’re having a terrible evening when your kids are driving you nuts and my music remotely calms them down, then my work here is done. That’s incredibly precious to hear.” I'll Never Love Again" – Lady Gaga, Natalie Hemby, Hillary Lindsey& Aaron Raitiere (songwriters) (2019)After creating sonic joy for decades, it’s only fair that William Orbit now gets to bathe in happiness himself from here on in.