Album: The Orb

The Dream, LIQUID SOUNDS

There was a time, long ago, when the Orb were kind of a big thing in British electronic music, so it is pleasing to learn that, after a long string of line-up changes and duff albums, they are back, comprising core members Alex Paterson and Youth. 'The Dream' references and is of a kind with their heyday output, but sounds comparatively distinctive and fresh. A collage of spoken-word and found-sound samples arranged around a spine of ambient house and dub, it is rich in texture and varied in mood. They may never be cool again, but they're far from an embarrassment.