Orbital deserve their place in electronic music's hall of fame. Having now finished their long and illustrious career they and their fans can look back on a catalogue of mesmerising tunes and blistering live sets, especially at Glastonbury. The brothers Paul and Phil Hartnoll first came to prominence with their hit surprise hit single 'Chime' in 1989, which was made on their father's four track recorder in their garage. However, Orbital really began to shine with the release of tunes such as the two versions of Halcyon: Halcyon + On + On from the ‘Brown Album’ and the 12” version, which could be found on many great compilations of the time. Other popular favourites included ‘Belfast’ and ‘Midnight’ from the ‘Green Album’, ‘Sad but True’ from ‘Snivilisation’ and ‘Dwr Budr’ and ‘Adnans’ from ‘In Sides’. In fact the latter mentioned fourth album of Orbital’s was a real gem and truly showed that Orbital were capable of sustaining a variety of electronica styles and tempos throughout an entire album. ‘Illuminate’ with David Gray from ‘The Alltogether’ was also a fine moment of pop electronic music. They will of course be sadly missed but never forgotten, especially for their live shows which captivated audiences worldwide and showed that electronic music could be done live. Their live version of ‘Impact’ which lasts for over 12 minutes is a glorious re-working of an otherwise ordinary track.
Check out the real 80s pop style video to Orbital's shortened single release of their enchanting 'Halcyon' tune:
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1) In Sides |
2) Works 1989-2002 |
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3) Chime |
Discography [title/(format)/label/year]
Orbital (Green Album) (CD) Warner Music (Brazil)
Chime / Deeper (12", Ltd) Oh'Zone Records 1989
Chime (12") FFRR 1990
Chime (CD, Maxi) FFRR 1990
Chime (7") FFRR 1990
Chime (Cass, Single) FFRR 1990
Chime (12") Metronome Musik GmbH 1990
Chime (12") FFRR (US) 1990
Chime: The Remixes (12") FFRR 1990
Omen (12") FFRR 1990
Omen (12") FFRR 1990
Omen (Cass, Single) FFRR 1990
Omen (7") FFRR 1990
Omen (CD, Maxi) FFRR, FFRR 1990
Omen Remixes (12") FFRR 1990
Satan (Promo) (12") FFRR 1990
Satan (Remix) (12") FFRR 1990
Album Sampler (12", Promo) FFRR (US) 1991
III (12") FFRR 1991
III (CD, Maxi) FFRR 1991
III (Cass, Single) FFRR 1991
III (7") FFRR 1991
III (7") London Records 1991
Midnight / Choice (CD, Maxi) FFRR 1991
Midnight / Choice (12") FFRR 1991
Midnight / Choice (12") FFRR 1991
Midnight / Choice (CD, Maxi) FFRR 1991
Midnight / Choice (Cass, Single) FFRR 1991
Midnight / Choice (12", Promo) FFRR 1991
Orbital (Green Album) (CD) FFRR (US) 1991
Orbital (Green Album) (2xLP) FFRR 1991
Orbital (Green Album) (Cass) FFRR (US) 1991
Orbital (Green Album) (CD) FFRR 1991
Orbital (Green Album) (Cass) FFRR 1991
Orbital (Green Album) (CD) Polydor K.K. 1991
Special Rave (12") FFRR 1991
Chime (Remixes) (12") FFRR (US) 1992
Halcyon (12") FFRR (US) 1992
Halcyon (CD, Maxi) FFRR (US) 1992
Halcyon (Promo) (12") FFRR (US) 1992
Mutations (12", Promo) FFRR 1992
Mutations (Cass, Single) FFRR 1992
Mutations (CD, Maxi) FFRR 1992
Mutations (Part 1) (12") FFRR 1992
Mutations (Part 2) (12") FFRR 1992
Orbital 2 (Brown Album) (CD) WEA International, Inc. 1992
Radiccio (CD, Maxi) Internal 1992
Radiccio (12") Internal 1992
Radiccio (Cass, Single) Internal 1992
Radiccio 1 (12") Internal 1992
Radiccio 2 (12") Internal 1992
Radiccio 2 (CD, Maxi) Internal 1992
The Naked And The Dub (12", S/Sided, Promo) Internal 1992
Impact - The Remix (12", Promo) FFRR (US) 1993
Impact USA (12") FFRR (US) 1993
Lush 3 (CD, Maxi) Internal 1993
Lush 3 (12") Internal 1993
Lush 3 (12") FFRR (US) 1993
Lush 3 (12") Internal 1993
Lush 3 (Cass, Single) Internal 1993
Lush 3 (Promo) (12") Internal 1993
Lush 3 (Promo) (12") Internal 1993
Lush 3-1 (7") Internal 1993
Orbital 2 (LP) FFRR (US) 1993
Orbital 2 (Brown Album) (CD) Internal 1993
Orbital 2 (Brown Album) (2xLP) Internal 1993
Orbital 2 (Brown Album) (CD) FFRR (US) 1993
Orbital 2 (Brown Album) (Cass) Internal 1993
Peel Session (CD, Maxi) Internal, FFRR 1993
Peel Session (12") Internal 1993
Radiccio (CD, Maxi) Polydor K.K. 1993
Walk Now... (Promo) (12") Internal 1993
Are We Here? (12") Internal 1994
Are We Here? (12", Promo) Internal 1994
Are We Here? (CD, Maxi) FFRR (US) 1994
Are We Here? (CD, Maxi) Internal 1994
Are We Here? (12") Internal 1994
Are We Here? (CD, Maxi) Internal, FFRR 1994
Are We Here? (CD, Maxi) Internal 1994
Are We Here? (2x12", Promo) FFRR (US) 1994
Are We Here? (Promo) (CD, Maxi) Internal 1994
Diversions (CD) PolyGram Group Canada Inc. 1994
Diversions (CD) FFRR (US) 1994
Orbital 2 (Brown Album) + Peel Sessions (2xCD) Internal 1994
Snivilisation (CD) Internal, FFRR 1994
Snivilisation (CD) FFRR (US) 1994
Snivilisation (2xLP) Internal 1994
Snivilisation (CD) Warner Music UK Ltd. 1994
Snivilisation (CD) FFRR (US) 1994
Snivilisation (CD) FFRR (US) 1994
Snivilisation (Cass) Internal 1994
Are We Here? (2x12") FFRR (US) 1995
Belfast/Wasted - The Best Of Volume EP (CD, Single) Volume 1995
Belfast/Wasted - The Best Of Volume EP (12") Volume 1995
Belfast/Wasted - The Best Of Volume EP (CD, Single) Volume 1995
Belfast/Wasted - The Best Of Volume EP (Promo) (CD, Maxi) Volume 1995
III (CD, Maxi) Internal 1995
Midnight / Choice (CD, Maxi) Internal 1995
Orbital (Green Album) (CD) Internal 1995
Radiccio (CD, Maxi) Internal 1995
Times Fly (CD, EP) Internal 1995
Times Fly (2x12") Internal 1995
Times Fly (CD, Maxi) Internal, FFRR 1995
Times Fly (2x7") Internal 1995
Evil Santa (3xCD, Single + Box, Promo) Internal 1996
In Sides (3xLP) Internal 1996
In Sides (CD) Internal 1996
In Sides (CD) Internal, FFRR 1996
In Sides (2xCD) FFRR 1996
In Sides (+ Bonus CD) (2xCD) Internal 1996
In Sides (Special Edition) (2xCD) FFRR (US) 1996
Past Present Future... (Cass, Maxi) FFRR 1996
Satan (CD, Maxi) FFRR (US) 1996
Satan Live (2x12") Internal 1996
Satan Live (CD One) (CD, Maxi) Internal, FFRR 1996
Satan Live (CD Three) (CD, Maxi) Internal, FFRR 1996
Satan Live (CD Two) (CD, Maxi) Internal, FFRR 1996
The Box (CD, Maxi) Internal 1996
The Box (12") Internal 1996
The Box (CD, Maxi) Internal, Internal 1996
The Box (CD, Maxi) Internal 1996
The Box (CD, Maxi) Internal 1996
The Box (12") Internal 1996
The Box (Pete Tong's Club Edit) (12") Dance Dept. (Metronome) 1996
The Box (Pete's Edit 2) (CD, Maxi) Internal 1996
TruPak:12 (CD + VHS) Internal 1996
Event Horizon (LP) London Records 1997
Event Horizon (CD) London Records 1997
Event Horizon (Selections From The Motion Picture Soundtrack) (CD) London Records 1997
In Sides (CD) Internal 1997
In Sides (CD) FFRR 1997
In Sides (CD) FFRR 1997
In Sides (4xLP) Internal 1997
In Sides (2xCD) PolyGram 1997
In Sides (+ Bonus CD) (2xCD) FFRR (US) 1997
Satan (12") FFRR (US) 1997
Satan (CD, Maxi) Internal 1997
Satan (7") Internal 1997
The Guide Guardian Promo CD (CD, Maxi) FFRR 1997
The Saint (CD, Maxi) FFRR (US) 1997
The Saint (CD, Maxi) FFRR, FFRR 1997
The Saint (CD, Maxi) FFRR (US) 1997
The Saint (12") FFRR 1997
The Saint (12") FFRR (US) 1997
The Saint (12") FFRR 1997
The Saint (CD, Maxi) FFRR (US) 1997
The Saint (Cass, Single) FFRR 1997
The Saint (Cass, Single) FFRR (US) 1997
The Sinner (12") FFRR 1997
Theme From The Saint (7") FFRR 1997
1999 / Chime Mixes (12") Lo Recordings 1999
Bag Style (12") FFRR 1999
Beached (Promo) (CD, Maxi) London Records 1999
Belfast / Nothing Left (2x12") FFRR 1999
Nothing Left (12") FFRR 1999
Nothing Left (12") London Records 1999
Nothing Left (CD One) (CD, Maxi) FFRR 1999
Nothing Left (CD Two) (CD, Maxi) FFRR 1999
Nothing Left (Promo) (12") FFRR 1999
Nothing Left (Promo) (12") FFRR 1999
Nothing Left (Promo) (CD, Maxi) FFRR 1999
Nothing Left (Promo) (12") FFRR 1999
Nothing Left (Promo) (12") FFRR (US) 1999
Orbital (Green Album) (CD) FFRR 1999
Orbital 2 (Brown Album) (CD) Internal 1999
Style (12") FFRR 1999
Style (CD One) (CD, Single) FFRR, FFRR 1999
Style (CD Two) (CD, Single) FFRR, FFRR 1999
Style (Promo) (CD, Maxi) FFRR 1999
The Middle Of Nowhere (CD) FFRR 1999
The Middle Of Nowhere (CD) FFRR 1999
The Middle Of Nowhere (2xLP) FFRR (US) 1999
The Middle Of Nowhere (CD) FFRR (US) 1999
The Middle Of Nowhere (2xLP) FFRR 1999
The Middle Of Nowhere (2xLP) FFRR 1999
The Middle Of Nowhere (Limited Edition) (CD) FFRR 1999
Beached (CD, Maxi) FFRR 2000
Beached (12") London Records, FFRR 2000
Beached (CD, Maxi) FFRR 2000
Beached (CD, Maxi) Warner Music (Australia) 2000
Beached (Promo) (CDr) London Records 2000
Beached (Promo) (CD, Maxi) FFRR 2000
Diversions (CD) FFRR (US) 2000
Orbital (Green Album) (CD) FFRR (US) 2000
Orbital 2 (Brown Album) (CD) London-Sire Records 2000
Funny Break (One Is Enough) (12", Promo) FFRR 2001
Funny Break (One Is Enough) (CD, Maxi) FFRR 2001
Funny Break (One Is Enough) (12", Promo) FFRR 2001
Funny Break (One Is Enough) (Disc 1) (12") FFRR 2001
Funny Break (One Is Enough) (Disc 2) (12") FFRR 2001
Funny Break (One Is Enough) (Layo & Bushwacka! Remixes) (12", Promo) FFRR 2001
Funny Break (One Is Enough) (Plump DJ's Mix) (12") FFRR 2001
Funny Break (One Is Enough) CD1 (CD, Maxi) FFRR 2001
Funny Break (One Is Enough) CD2 (CD, Maxi) FFRR 2001
Illuminate (2x12") FFRR 2001
Please Forgive Me (CD, Single, Promo) RCA 2001
The Altogether (CD) FFRR 2001
The Altogether (2xCD) FFRR (US) 2001
The Altogether (CD, Maxi) Warner Music (Germany GmbH) 2001
The Altogether (CD) FFRR (US) 2001
The Altogether 5.1 (DVD) FFRR 2001
B-Sides (CD) FFRR (US) 2002
Chime (Live Style Mix) (12") FFRR 2002
Frenetic (12") FFRR 2002
Play (CD, Maxi) FFRR 2002
Rest (CD, Maxi) FFRR 2002
Rest & Play (CD, Maxi) London Records 2002
Rest & Play (Promo) (CD, Maxi) London Records 2002
Rest - Radio Promo (CD, Maxi) FFRR 2002
Rest/Play (12") FFRR 2002
Ska'd For Life (12", S/Sided, W/Lbl, Promo) Orbital (White) 2002
Work (CDr) FFRR 2002
Work 1989-2002 (CD) FFRR 2002
Work 1989-2002 (2xLP) FFRR 2002
Work 1989-2002 (CD) Warner Music (Japan) 2002
Work 1989-2002 (CD) FFRR (US) 2002
Work 1989-2002 (Advance) (CD) FFRR (US) 2002
Initiation (Promo) (CD, Maxi) EMI Records (UK) 2003
Initiation (Remix Version) (12", S/Sided, W/Lbl, Promo) EMI Records (UK) 2003
Octane (Original Soundtrack Score) (CD, Album) EMI Records (UK) 2003
Octane (Original Soundtrack Score) (LP) EMI Records (UK) 2003
Octane (Original Soundtrack Score) (CD) Virgin Records (Japan) 2003
Octane (Original Soundtrack Score) (CD) EMI Records (UK) 2003
Octane (Original Soundtrack Score) (Full Album Promo) (CD) EMI Records (UK) 2003
Acid Pants (12") ATO Records 2004
Blue Album (CD) Orbital Music 2004
Blue Album (2xLP) Orbital Music 2004
Blue Album (CD) ATO Records 2004
Blue Album (CD) Beat Records 2004
Blue Radio Sampler (CD, Promo, Sam) Orbital Music 2004
One Perfect Sunrise (12", Single) Orbital Music 2004
One Perfect Sunrise (Stereo-8 Remix) (12", Single, Ltd) Orbital Music 2004
One Perfect Sunrise CD1 (CD, Single) Orbital Music 2004
Orbital Breezeblock Mix (5/11/2001)
Unknown - Theme From Company Of Wolves (White Label)
Cocteau Twins - Corelei (4AD)
Orbital - Illuminate (White Label)
Dead Kennedys - Ill In THe HEad (Cherry Red Records)
Sujatma - Mai Jaana (Nevos Records)
Severed Heads - A Recall Of The Empire (Nettwork)
Severed Heads - A Million Angels (Nettwork)
John Creton - Johnny Remember Me (Cime)
The Beat - Tears Of A Clown (Two Tone)
Jean Michael Jarre - Zooloor 3 (Epic)
Orbital & Alabama 3 - Scarred For Life (White Label)
DOA - Liar For Hire (White Label)
Squarepusher - Schizm Track #2 Mix (Warp)
Divine Comedy - Sunrise (Setanta)
Orbital Breezeblock Mix (13/5/2002)
Nicole Kidman - One Day I'll Fly Away (Interscope)
Harry J - Interrogator (Trojan)
X-Ray Spex - The Day The World Turned Dayglo (Virgin)
Dudley Moore - Bedazzled (Harklit)
Orbital - Technologiski Park (White Label)
PMT - Deepwater (Acetate)
Kraymon - Got To Get Busy (Belgrave Mix) (Freakaboom)
Mercedes Bentley vs. Versace Armani - Something J (Warp)
Bunch Of Gurus and Emilia Majello - Punk Cake (Freq Nasty Vocal Mix) (Prolifica)
Janet Kay - Silly Games (Scope)
Orbital - Frenetic (London)
Stewart Copeland - Our Mother Is Alive (A)
Orbital Glastonbury (28/7/2004)
Remind, The Girl With The Sun In Her Hair, Belfast, You Lot, The Box, Satan, Halcyon, One Perfect Sunshine, Impact, Dr Who, Chime, Remind (Rewind)
