Yep, everyone's favourite producer is back. William Orbit was the guy who could turn shit into hit and, in some cases, grant profitable career turns for a few plastic egos. His classical background and open attitudes to experimentation seemed to continually give him the edge. By allowing a glimmering originality to emanate through anything he touched, he came to define 90's ambient groove.
But a lot has happened in electronic music since his withdraw from the mainstream and Orbit is stuck in the last decade - on one big ecstasy comedown. Granted, it would be unfair to expect him, or any artist, to adjust to a contemporary sound. A true reclusive composer is unlikely to be a la mode. What is expected, however, is a bold leap into the unknown; because if anyone could make it, Orbit could.
Eighth notch down on the solo bedpost, My Oracle Lives Uptown is nothing more than well crafted, focusing on the head rather than the soul. The anticipation of something exotic is being caged in by a worn out pop song structure. It starts well - offbeat pulses and modal harmony unravel and reform creating a colourful hypnosis - but eventually loses its way. His signature use of Casio keyboard is tired and out of place among the otherwise lush landscapes. We eventually find him flogging old tricks: melodrama and stoned pontification.
The album leaves where it came in. Minimal textures wave a goodbye and phase into nothingness. Somehow, I get the feeling Orbit’s keeping his greatest creations from us.
(© Copyright 2009 Brendan Morgan)
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