William Orbit

William Orbit (sometimes written as William Ørbit, born on 30 July, 1956, as William Wainwright) is a British musician and record producer, perhaps best known to most for his work on Madonna's album Ray of Light, which received four Grammy Awards. He has also co-produced several unreleased Madonna songs originally recorded for other albums that were never used. Also, he produced "13" by Blur, and remixed some of the songs on the album.

His speciality is atmospheric keyboard electronica although much of his work features accomplished guitar playing. He has also recorded several largely instrumental solo albums under the name Strange Cargo which features vocals by Beth Orton, Laurie Mayer and Cleo Torres among others. He was the musical force behind Bassomatic in the early 1990s, and formed the band Torch Song together with Mayer, Grant Gilbert and Rico Conning in the 1980s. He has also produced and remixed numerous other artists. Orbit's remixes carry his signature electronic sounds and techniques, making them sought after by fans of his solo work. He also worked with pop girl trio Sugababes.

Discography

Torch Song

Wish Thing
Ecstasy
Exhibit A
Toward the Unknown Region

Bassomatic

Set the Controls for the Heart of the Bass
Science & Melody

Solo

Orbit
Strange Cargo I
Strange Cargo II
Superpinkymandy (Released in Japan only as a Beth Orton album, but the sound was characteristically Orbit, making this possibly his most sought after rarity.)
Strange Cargo III
Strange Cargo Hinterland
Pieces in a Modern Style (Original release, withdrawn)
- Pieces in a Modern Style (altered re-release, minus uncleared tracks from first release, although with additional tracks in their place)
Hello Waveforms (released on Sanctuary records, 20th February in UK, and February 21st 2006 for USA).
Cellcloud (Follow up album to Hello Waveforms, due on Sanctuary records, Sept 2006).

See also: Michael Slack

1956 births | Living people | Electronic musicians

more complete discography at: http://www.williamorbit.com and http://www.discogs.com/artist/William+Orbit

Equipment Used

Used on Madonna's Ray of Light:

Has Used:

Trident 80A Mixing Desk
Roland Dimension D Chorus
Yamaha SY99 (on Torch Song's Into The Unknown Region)
Roland SH-101

Used with Torch Song/Guerilla Studio:

AMS Digital Reverb
AMS Digital Delay
Linn Linndrum
Minimoog
Movement II Drum Computer
Otari 24-track recorder
Roland CSQ600 Sequencer
Roland CSQ600 Sequencer
Roland Jupiter-8
Roland SH-2
Roland TR-808
Roland TR-909
Roland Space Echo
Sequential Circuits Prophet 5
Simmons SD5 Drum Brain
Yamaha DX-7

External links

http://www.williamorbit.com/