William Orbit
"Pieces in a Modern Style"
(Maverick)
Can you believe that Wild Bill Orbit began making music when vinyl was still in vogue? Since the dust is finally beginning to settle on our millennial frenzy, William Orbit's contemporary reflections on eleven compositions of our past masters is right on time. While the man's imposing production credits (Madonna, Beth Orton, etc.) will continue to pay the bills as time goes by, it's Orbit's ambient-electronic interpretations of immortal composers like Beethoven, Handel and Vivaldi that reveal his true roots. Besides the lush reading of Maurice Ravel's "Pavene pour une Infante Defunte," Orbit also takes on some of the Twentieth century's more revolutionary composers. His sensitive renditions of works by Erik Satie and John Cage are both understated and instructive, connecting the dots between European and American traditions as well as bridging previous centuries with the present. While not formally included on this release, Orbit does nod towards the demands of his current audience with a dance remix of the CD's opening cut, "Adagio for Strings," which written by Samuel Barber. Especially big kudos to Orbit for resurrecting the name of Henryk Gorecki with his hypnotic versions of "Piece In Old Style" (both I & III). Perhaps the less you know about these composers the better. The better, that is, until you realize that the work of these brave men is as bracing and innovative as anything that's been written since you were born.
by Mitch Myers
copyright 1999 New City Communications, Inc.