The Orb are nothing if not consistent, and their latest creative chapter at Kompakt seems to be doing them a lot of good. ‘Moonbuilding’ has a typically cosmic concept behind it, with the band lynchpin Dr Alex Paterson describing how mankind discovers its root element in the ancient rocks on solar moons, which are based on musical harmonies – that are set to the same tempo as the Orb. When you listen to the music it makes sense, and unfolds instinctively but with that wonderful tendency the Orb have to throw in all kinds of sonic wonders. ‘God’s Mirrorball’ gives the album a stately start, from where it progresses to the sort of loping beat the band do so well – Moon Scapes getting a really nice momentum going. And only the Orb could make a track called ‘Lunar Caves’ actually sound like the picture it creates, for this is a lovely, spacious piece of writing. From there it is left to the title track to see us out, a bit of space dub that opens out nicely. As a bonus on the deluxe vinyl version there is a bonus tribute to J Dilla, ‘Dilla’s Moon Quake’ – which puts the seal on another successful return.
4 out of 5
Reviewed by Ben Hogwood
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