Orbital 30-Something

-

Orbital

30-Something


CD1


From the very 1st sound I am immediately taken back in time; with a twist.


Its historical rave moments followed by fitting Orbital sounds then the modernization synth stabs drop in the background. Hooked by the melodic sound only Orbital can deliver. Then words drop and fit! Paul's history at the Kent rave! The stereo that just wasn't as accurate 30 years ago. That's Smiley, track 1!


The time machine brings us up to date at the start of track 2 - Acid House - new but old. Just as you get used to the techno bass drum, incomes a vocal noise, another layer is added, then another, then relatively quiet and a male voice repeats, then more electronic sounds. Punchy electronic house techno (mildly poppy) jazz? (Chorus only!) Bye bye I'm off on a journey! Eyes shut! Then stop!


Where is it going? Stephen Hawking (SH) reels you into a visualised story of, for me, a Galactic tunnel. Then we get tempo and sounds! Energised! Then SH again. This (album) is an amazing story book already!


Impact remix. A classic. Then again, what aren't! This, after a minute (ish) suddenly seems to have extra beats, subtle and cleverly and succinctly in the speakers for a short period. Then again the subtlety of the extras - it is a remix - show their headshaking presence and let it be known! What an impact (Sorry not sorry)! The classical (my favourite electronic Orbital sound) sound shows up after 5 minutes. As if there is *A* classical sound! Phew. A cry for survival indeed.  Stunning. An amazing eye-squeezing outerspace 12 minute audio trip for me.


Satan

The echoes, the darkness even in the beats themselves, then the melody! It's modern, with a higher-level tune added, is 100% Satan, not that that was ever in doubt!


Visualisation of 70s horrors spinning in the milky way! Techno dancers including me doing what can in a scary techno environment in space somewhere!



Then the smiles. The loving respect of the sound of Chime. It's on speed but it's not! A view of Jaws! On the boat ready to hook a shark! I am beyond hooked! The changing dynamics that remain are sooo damn clever and fabulous! Tweaked beats here and there with an echo! And breathe.


Have to stop. Close eyes for Halcyon. An extra piano chord? Then that voice. That bass tune. Wow. The first extra added beat, is of course fitting. I'm in a bubble. A tube of audio delight. The vocal echoes mesmerising. Spanish strings? The future drops! On a specially dancing X-Wing with no Empire! The soul in this!


Gets better?! Help! Rubbing temples with wondrous joy as Belfast hits (official Orbital video here, not the remix)

Orbital by Orbital

I forgot I was trying to make notes! Yes, maybe a slight change to a beat's sharpness somewhere - amazing - tune on top newer, top top layer Orbital classical electronic brilliance. Vocals subtler? Incredible. Another layer as the pace starts to slow. What millennia is this?! To the finish. I feel like I need some kind of drink. Shock from amazement.


Thing is, on reflection, could there be a bad mix of Belfast? I'm not tempting fate. Diamond is hard to break. This is that.



Back to 1998. My marriage with Insides began. This - The Box remix - sparked many a memory. Now with new welcome distractions, to the original beauty that are unbreakable, yet open to a bit of an addition to jump forward in time (with a subtle synth stretch). Done very successfully.


When I say stereo, that is a complete understatement. Are We Here has sounds coming from all directions. Is it 4D?! Beautiful. Rivers (mind's eye), flows so well. Every part.


The Girl With The Sun In Her Head (Floex remix)- my favourite Orbital tune since I landed Insides, 1998.


This remix start doesn't grab me like the original. The stabs start to 'freshen up' with the fundamental tune. Then arguably THE tune lays over again to make this what it is. A modern remix. Different tempo maybe, newer layers, too ambient? (which is something I love), but. I'll stick with the original.


Last track starts with intent. Doesn't initially sound like Halcyon & On (this ‘Logic 1000 Mix’) to me. A remix Roj! However, as it develops, classic sounds arrive to make it what it is. Acid-House (Detroit) Techno remix with different angles and again a good tune; not as good.


All in all an absolutely stunning album well worth the wait (I had pre-ordered). Based on and/or around live performances or not, it makes me smile galore! Proud as punch to have been an Orbital fan for so long, and long may it continue!


When I recover from this welcomed onslaught, CD 2 words will follow, but don't hold your breath!


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Newly Diagnosed MS Presentation 2023

-
Image
Newly Diagnosed MS Presentation 2023 In June 2023 I was asked by the Multiple Sclerosis Society if I could assist with an event for some people recently diagnosed with #MS. I was asked to give an approximate 10 minute presentation as someone with MS to talk about my experience of being diagnosed and life since diagnosis – have to say, it needed to be realistic but upbeat too! I happily accepted! The event was at the Grand Hotel, Gosforth, Newcastle, 15th July.  See the running order below, followed by the speech I wrote and gave:   The running order was:   10.15 for 10.30 start – welcome 10.45                  Gill, MS specialist nurse, RVI on the role of the MS nurse 11.15                  Dr Martin Duddy, explaining MS, research and treatments 12.15                  comfort break 12.20 /12.15        Personal perspective of being diagnosed – Roger 12.45         Over to you – chance for people on their tables to share their experiences and learn from                   
Read more

F1 Aerodynamics in Schools

-
Image
Being a STEM Ambassador, I keep check with what STEM enrichment activities are planned that I feel I could support with my experience. I saw an “ F1 Aerodynamics ” related request and it tickled my buds somewhat! So I vested my interest via the formal portal/method to/with STEM and this was responded to. What was the challenge? It is a global competition given as per: “ The Competition - What's It All About? You are a Formula One™ team commissioned to design, construct and race the fastest Formula One Car of the Future, powered by compressed air cylinders. ” The first of the activities was in a middle school in Whitley Bay, to simply share my experience (having been an Aerodynamicist) with the Year 8 kids taking part in the F1 challenge. I enjoyed helping them with what they were doing at that part of their challenge.  BBC! Wow. I would have loved to have had that opportunity at that age. Unbelievable! Showing my age, a bit?! (my middle school had a
Read more

Ocrevus

-
Image
  Ocrevus . Notes 1 The infusion was completed at 1pm, and I was asked to wait for 15 minutes after the cannula had been removed. I was told to take it easy for the rest of the day, that'd I'd be tired. Body not used to the new drug, nor my mind, given that I had been anxious about #Ocrevus day. Ok then, I'll accept a lazy day. Was planning a curry takeaway anyway! I am tired. A few nights of bad / poor sleep. Ocrevus. Notes 2 Second infusion (second half dose) done by 1ish. Then again asked to rest for the day. Yes, as per, I was tired. #Anxiety due to an earlier taxi booking (for 07:20), with the small alarm fear! And also a few wake-ups during the night. Usual, but! Prepared with laptop, phone (obviously), headphones, sarnie, bottle of water, and chargers in case. And a BBCi downloaded film. The same as my first unknown Ocrevus trip. Slower start than last infusion, but after the paracetamols and antihistamine, the weak steroid infusion did its thing for half an hour; wi
Read more