Reviews (page 2 of 7)
I listened to this at work and started it over as soon as it finished. Very pleasant background music. I listened again during my walking/bus commute and was pleased that it held up in that context as well. Some tracks are a mellow dance groove, some are gentle and floaty, some are noisy but with a thumping bass line. I can hear some of you asking, how much electronica do we need? And I say, lots!
Fabulous electronic music. Loved the groove.
Awesome album . loved it very much
I guess this is my jam. Never heard this before, but this is the kind of music that just fits a perfect night of thinking or working or chilling. An ambient, trancey vibe that doesn't stick itself out to far, but are all smooth and cool.
Super good electro!!
A bit bizarre but interesting album. I think that I have never heard anything like this. Tribal like singings were kinda hypnotizing. Electronic music sometimes made athmosphere unsettling
Me encantó, todas sus canciones encajan de excelente manera
Amazingly beautiful
Trippy af
COOL
Really good but he absolutely blue balled me with those first two songs, my expectations were set at Groove Armada style bang fest but it was more of a freaky experimental electronic exploration - not saying I didn't enjoy the journey but I think the first couple of songs would've been better placed dispersed throughout rather than as false expectation setters at the start. GIVE ME MORE BANGERS, WILLIAM
Wow! Great stuff!
skemmtilegt að studera þennan gaur
I am here for William and his Strange melodies. Brian Eno-esque in all the right ways, with a little bit of world music vocals and groovy Thievery Corporation beats.
Excelente disco! El primer 5!! Aca esta la base del lo que fue ese tremendo disco de Madonna, Ray of Ligth.
I love 90s electronica
chingón!!!
Cool electronic sound. Actually listened to it twice.
Great work music, love it
oh yeah i liked it.
I know William Orbit from his production of a couple Madonna albums, as well as his Pieces in Modern Style, which I heard when it came out and have loved it since. I never heard any of his earlier work, though, including Strange Cargo III, which was technically his album right before Pieces in Modern Style (though it came several years before and feels like a completely different era and person. Overall, I feel the Strange Cargo albums are good, sometimes ambient for some tracks and in general approach, but it does have some songs and pieces that are very active and engaging, similar to some electronica of the mid to late 90's. It doesn't feel ground-breaking, and I've personally never heard anyone talk about this album, but it is definitely very well produced and is good music and nice to have on.
Härlig känsla!
Strange, but beautiful
Good background music when working on something.
I really enjoyed this and am exploring more of his material.
really nice to work to
Man, the hate years so unwarranted. Sure, all electronic music isn't great. But this is really deep and has a lot going on. Great atmosphere. Great rhythm, great vocals and sure you might not just turn it on to try and hear your favorite songs, but it's great background music whether you're working working out, or even just cooking. Or maybe you turn on and turn the volume down a little bit during a dinner party. You know, a dinner party with chill people
This was a cool album! Surprised at the low ratings that it got. Experimental chill electronica.
Was very concerned for this album for the first minute then the drums came in and it was the most awesome ambience music I’ve heard in a hot minute
То ли я принцесса песчаных бурь, то ли участница квартирного вопроса. https://media1.tenor.com/m/BYbrh8OKJcUAAAAd/ishowspeed-egypt.gif
I love electronic music. When it's done right it is so captivating. Especially when they start incorporating real drums, bass, and guitar into the songs. That's why artists like Massive Attack and Orbital are such powerhouses to me. Pure vibes. So is this record. A couple misses but the production, samples, and overall tone is exactly what I like. Favourite tracks: Into The Paradise, Gringatcho Demento 4/5
Muy interesante, para ser del 93' explora un tipo de música electrónica muy ambiental y con mezclas poco comunes para lo que era la electrónica comercial de su época, me hizo acordar mucho a el Selected Amibient Works 85-92 de Aphex Twin, y tiene casi la misma calidad sonora.
I thought I knew all about William Orbit being familiar with his work from all the way back in 1990 when Bassomatic made one of that era’s timeless classic tracks in Fascinating Rhythm. I thought I had followed his remix and production work quite closely since then, peaking arguably with his work on Madonna’s career highlight Ray of Light. Doing some reading today though, I discovered so much more about the man and his work. I myself only recently got around to owning Strange Cargo III and it too was surprise. I was already aware that he knew his way around a tune, interesting sounds, a pop understanding, irresistible grooves and more, but this album gets to levels I wasn’t expecting. Some familiar sounds were here, but the kind of bleeps that I consider signature from his pop work were absent and added instead was a deeply heavy dub vibe that I would have more expected from the likes of Sabres of Paradise or Lionrock, both of whom I have huge respect for in producing some of the best records in that realm around the mid 90s. I’m disappointed I missed out on this at the time and now I’m keen to explore his Strange Cargo output further, and also investigate more of what he has done over the years. He even had a band before Bassomatic that I didn’t know about.
m encanta que sin voz ni letra me transmita tanto sensaciones, vibras, emociones, cual es la onda. sensacion de movimiento, crea atmosfera. medio creapy x momentos
De l'ambient plutôt chouette, un peu Nova Tunes codé
Le simple fait que ça ne soit ni du rock ni de la folk est une bouffée d'air frais dans cette liste. Je l'ai sûrement apprécié pour cette raison davantage que pour des qualités intrinsèques exceptionnelles : ça reste très sympathique par ailleurs.
I found myself kind of enjoying it, felt very background-y, then I realized I was listening to Strange Cargo 2! That being said, Strange Cargo 3 was very similar. Feels like 90s video game music. 4*
4*
dude produced 13 by blur and madonna’s last great song.. i figured this would be worth the listen
no llegue
Since I love ambient electronic music, it's probably no surprise that I loved this. I'll probably listen to this again. Great samples, solid beats, excellent exiting headspace music. I hadn't heard of them before, but I really enjoyed this. Not amazing, not the best I've heard, I still prefer State Azure or Tangerine Dreams, but this is a great record.
Really ace. William Orbit is a brill producer and he delivers some excellent spacey tracks here. A very chilled out experience.
Nice one, William
Wish this was available in my region on Apple Music. Ads on YouTube made it tough to get into, but thought it was great
Very interesting. Cool sound, definitely should check out again to apriciate it even more.
Not a real fan of electronic music as it’s kind of boring. But I let it run through. On to the next one!
Feels like these songs would be on the soundtrack for Charmed or Buffy... This kind of ambient music is my jam, it turns out.
I couldn't find this album on my usual streamer, so I am doing my best with what tracks I can find on YouTube. I recall William Orbit being particularly influential in production circles throughout the 1990s and early 2000s. On this album, you can hear the ideas that drew Madonna to have Orbit produce her 90s album RAY OF LIGHT. I respect his technical ability. All of the skills are there. While I never really connected as deeply as others did with his mixes, his influence certainly did shape the development of much of the dance and electronic production over that 1990s to mid 2000s era. So an album of his demonstrating that sound seems like it definitely belongs on the list, but after seeing reviews of similar genre albums I don't expect it will be received well here. Personally, I enjoyed the sonic trip.
It’s Time to get Wize and give this album a listen.
Kinda funky and cool
Cool vibes, something to listen to when doing a chill task that you need to focus on.
Very nice vibe. Somehow reminds me of Leftfield.
lowkey quite good
Fantastic album! I was familiar with the first and last songs but not the rest. A relaxing downtempo electronic journey that could serve as a film soundtrack.
Good 90s rave album
This was a pretty fun electronic album. It’s repetitive, sure, but it’s a good repetitive and serves well for workout music or for some focus background music.
Weird that only part 3 was good enough for this list, but this was a good listen. A lot different to my usual stuff, but I am going to check out parts 1 and 2!
Aptly named - Orbit indeed - with a self-assured style that is musical, interesting, and builds into dynamic soundscapes, rather than a bunch of motifs being drilled into your head as if the point is to develop a rut that you can’t escape.
Very strange album, but in a good way. I got a strong background music/soundtrack vibe. I love genres that blend modern musical ideas with folk tradition and this seemed to be in that same vein. Definitely keeping this one for later.
The Brits’ were makin’ some rad-ass electronic music in the ‘90s. I saw Trainspotting.
I am actually surprised about this one. I admit, I got a bit bored after a few songs, but somehow at the same time it kept me engaged with it. This is a pretty good ambient downtempo electronic album. I actually enjoyed it way more than I anticipated. Very cool vibe overall, suitable when you want to turn on focus mode and have something good in the background.
This record has such a distinct, effortless cool to it. Definitely a keeper for a code-binge afternoon. Spins: 3 Playlist Additions - Water From A Vine Leaf - Into The Paradise - Time To Get Wize - The Story Of Light
I found this quite soothing. I just so happened to listen to this one in the car where the bass really brought this music to life. It doesn't bang so hard it wants to break the windows, but it sends buttery smooth rumbles throughout. It's not enough of an adventure for 5 stars, but I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Strange Cargo III is very much one of my things. I love electronic nusic, William Orbit and this album just clicks with me. It feels open, melodic, and easy to sit with … very relaxing and chilled vibe. Listening now, I can hear straight away how it fed into Ray of Light and plenty of other artists. The space, the textures, the confidence to keep things simple. It makes a lot of sense. Four stars.
No qualms with this. A little jazzy...a little poppy...nice ambient music
It's always nice when an album from my collection pops up, especially when it's something a little off centre.
****a good easy listening instrumental album
Ok, drôlement lui je l’ai vraiment aimé, même s’il ressemble beaucoup à l’autre de vendredi qui puait
Pretty inoffensive electronic music. It was actually kind of enjoyable!
I enjoyed this album and found it very interesting, the beginning of the album hooked me but the last few songs weren’t as memorable. I’ve been getting into instrumental ambient music lately and being on the techno side, this album really did scratch an itch.
Songs are way too long for normal listening but are perfect for my Utopian Scholastic and my Mermaids playlists.
This was chill, I liked it more than I expected. Beth Orton guest vocal was a nice surprise. Not gonna listen to it a lot, but definitely coming back to some of these.
This one surprised me. I enjoyed it from start to finish, and it made for a really nice start to my Monday. It’s immersive and detailed—definitely an album best experienced with headphones on.
Wasn’t expecting any trip hop on 1001. A pleasant surprise.
Really cool sound!!! Wasn’t sure I’d like it but it was very interesting and soothinf
Not bad.
Curious. I recently downvoted The Grateful Dead for an excess of guitar noodling. However, this William Orbit album has a lot of electronic noodling - and I'm enjoying it. It's a fairly downbeat sort of vibe to it, no lyrics, and the tracks rather slide into one another, but...just was I nee for New Years Day.
Chill, background, eletronica. Not sure why it's on the list, but was happy to listen to it.
"Strange Cargo III" is the fourth album by English electronic instrumentalist, musician and producer William Orbit. Electronica, world, downtempo, trip hop, hip hop and dub are the Wiki-listed genres. The album was the third in a series of similarly titled albums. The album opens with "Water From a Vine Leaf." An ambient synth, electronic bleeps and noises and a bass. A very Happy Mondays-esque dance beat comes in. Piano keys and guitar notes are thrown in. Beth Orton with dreamy vocals expressing release. Mostly in the trip hop realm here. Cleo Torres opens "Time to Get Wize" by saying "It's time to get wize." The style is more rapping. The bass and beat are deeper. Rico Conning on the piano, overlaying electronic noises. An echoing guitar. Long church-like synth notes begin "The Story of Light." Baby B on vocals singing "Let your love shine down on me." More of the Happy Monday dance beats...not a bad thing. Rico Conning with a spiky piano mixed with a guitar melody. The album closes with "Water Babies." Layered, high-pitched, soft synth keys get louder. This song is more in a happy tone than the previous darker, heavier and ambient songs. Piano keys and a synth bass are added. Nice way to end the album. Wiki was right on with all their listed musical styles as this album and songs show elements of trip hop, hip hop, downtempo, dance, ambient and bass & drums. There's a nice tone mix of dance, ambient and electronic. Orbit also does a very good job layering the multiple synths, piano, guitar, bass and drums. The guest vocalists add more to the musical atmosphere than stress anything lyrically important. Overall, this is a solid electronic music album and if you like that style, this is one to listen to.
Enjoyed this more than I thought, nice to have on in the background but lots of interesting textures going. Definitely have to be in right mood for this.
A 4? Melodic. Not on Apple Music for some reason
Hyvää elektronikaa! Orbitalista kevyempää 4/5
My awareness of Orbit's work came primarily from late 90s collaborations/remixes in naff mainstream pop so I haven't explored his earlier catalogue. This is much more interesting and varied.
Cool
Some great background electronica...
Typical 90’s electronica. A smattering of sub-genres from house to trip hop to trance. I would imagine if you are not into the genre this would not be your cup of tea. But if you are into electronica this will likely fit nicely into your rotation right next to Boards, Underworld, or Air.
плінкі плонкі фанкі саунд. робить мозку приємне бррррр
kult! Beste sang: Water from a vine leaf
I enjoyed this! Calming but not boring or soporific
Ok, I've loved this album since it's release. For clarity, it's a chill down album. Bill O is the guy behind Madonna's (arguably) best album, and her 4th biggest single. Getting ready for bed? long busy day? Let's put some ambient music on. Go with the flow..... It's all great until after 40 minutes 'Reggie, Reggie..' in Deus ex that bit can startle you if you're caught unaware, for the most part, just let it wash over you. Starts upbeat and funky, slows into a mellow chill session. If you're interested, 'hinterland' by 'strange cargo' is also worth a listen. (Yes, it's confusing).
What a surprise! This is the exact type of music I was looking for over the summer. Not sure why it's so low rated on here and on other music rating sites. I understand that not everyone likes electronic music but there are some serious jams on this thing. That opening track is absolutely phenomenal. Admittedly, the second half is a bit slower but I don't mind it that much. Definitely gotta check out more from Mr. Orbit. Favorite track: Water From A Vine Leaf
This is the missing evolutionary link between Enigma and Moby, and it explains why anyone who was anyone in the early 90s had a William Orbit remix as a B side.
Good album, really enjoyed it. Electronic with pop/rock sensibilities. Notable tracks include Water from a Vine Leaf, Into the Paradise, Tome to get Wize, Harry Flowers, The Story of Light, A Hazy Shade of Random, Water Babies.
Pretty good. Kind of a Bowie Low vibe.
okay but I like it.
i love the atmosphericness
Very out there album. Quite strange
Fun, background album. Techno/piano vibe.
I strangely enjoyed this! It has me curious.
Very enjoyable album! The Story of Light got the Will face. Holly listened to a lot of this while on the couch and didn't hate it either.
Not bad, needs further listens
One of those albums from the 90’s that seemed to be everywhere. Some nice bits of electronica and ambience, with the obligatory samples which were in vogue at the time
Kinda fun psychedelic chill music
Really enjoyed the vibe and flow of this album. Had no idea what to expect but had fun
I liked this in a very calm and non-threatening way. There are some nice sounds here. It
A bit too smooth and sounding like spa or ad music but overall quite enjoyable! 3.8
Excellent!
Surprisingly engaging ambient electro! William Orbit's really something. Tracks to Track: Water from A Vine Leaf
Interesting album, very much a staple of a certain sound, and overall I found the soundscape rich and diverse. A couple of things are holding it back in my opinion : it's too long, some songs deserve an edit, and I could cut one or two, that would make the project more concise and be more impactful. It's also very much rooted in the 90's and therefore sounds quite dated. That is not necessarily a problem, cause it's a good example of that type of music, but I always gravitate towards music that feels timeless, and in my opinion the greatest songs can manage that. i would argue Portishead for example, even though it's very much rooted in the 90's sound as well feels a bit more timeless and albums like Dummy will always get an edge. Dated album loose their avant garde edge or the experimentation to it comes at a wash in time. That doesn't mean it's not great, but that means that the surprise factor isn't there when I can really put music firmly in a certain decade. Here that is my impression, it's good, I understand why we should listen to it, but it feels a bit too exemplary and not sparkly on it's own to truly be a standout.
This was an album I've not heard before, I've heard of William Orbit tho. After just few minutes of listening it reminded me of an old favourite of mine: Children Of The Bong's "Sirius Sounds". This was however, a lot more laid back and chill in comparison, not a bad thing per se, but does mean it requires a specific mood for me to listen to. Quite enjoyable!
electro, trip, love it
What is this groovy tune I am listening to? Not normally my jam but feel like I'm in a bunch of Ratchet and Clank (2002).
spacey but good vibes. excellent background work music.
I loved this one!! Would be great study music
It’s so hard to listen to this album with unbiased ears when you’ve been learning how deep of a subconscious impact growing up with ps1/ps2 games impacted your music taste. I’ve been digging into all things downtempo, dub, psy & early acid techno for most of this year, so this album is right up my alley. At its best, this album illuminates how well some of its genres can oscillate from dense moments drama to minutes of total catharsis, all in the span of a song or two. At its cheesiest, this album is basically a soundtrack to a late 90’s Miami crime thriller (said lovingly). At its lowest, this album plays it very safe for far too long and doesn’t set out to achieve much for frames of 10+ minutes, in bunches. “Water From A Vine Leaf” is a pretty, ethereal opener with a fantastic arpeggiator, serene piano, and good vocal samples floating over a typical 90’s breakbeat. “Harry Flowers” slows things down and finds itself in downtempo/dub territory with that sub bass anchoring the track. I’d grown a little irritable about how the record was seeming to get more & more complacent until the beginning of “Gringatcho Demento”, which is a big turning point in the track list to me. Super intriguing intro on this one, with a bit more teeth to it. Finally something a little suspenseful. The following “A Hazy Shade Of Random” is unabashedly new age bliss with a bit of ambient-era-Eno for good measure. The last leg of the album delves into sounds that are harder and harder to grasp onto - not in a bad way, just that it all focuses more on ambient noises than grooves and melody. “The Monkey King” is a good example of these choices. Hard to give this one a fair score. Yesterday, I punched my ticket on the “you all don’t understand” train, where I really wasn’t happy with the albums general warm reception. Today, I complete the round trip on that train, coming back today to say that I think this album (and other albums like it) get knocked around too much for being a product of it’s time. Too dinky, too gimmicky, an album only good for background listening at its best. Maybe those things are true at points, but I’d like to say that on the whole Strange Cargo 3 achieves its escapist, ethereal ambitions. The lightest, admittedly slightly biased 4/5 stars from me.
This came after a string of albums I was very familiar with, so it was a nice change to be introduced to something new that I really enjoyed. You know it has made an impression when you restart it right away and then stream other stuff from the artist.
Feels like hanging out in a spa with crystals everywhere. There's music going, but it;s just at the edge of hearing and flits into the background
I really liked this one, I’ve had electronica albums in the past where I’ve enjoyed the start but they’ve worn out their welcome by the end but this kept my attention all the way through. I’m gonna keep it saved and listen to it some night I’m off work. I think I will get even more out of it in a more relaxed environment.
Not available on Apple Music. Starts off strong …5 tracks in still digging it. Not bad. First time listening (that I know of). 4 stars
I like the new age genre. This was a really good find for me, the second this week! But... again, it is a genre I personally like. It may not work for a large swath of people, too boring or slow or IDK? But for me it is about the mood and the peace and the whole emotional way it plays out. I am not sure this album is the best or the worst of William Orbit, but I intend to find out!
Can't believe I'd never heard it before but feels like it was likely in a bunch of 90s soundtracks. Would listen again.
Incredibly hypnotizing. I just like it. It just flows from one track to the other. Can’t pick a favorite
3.6
Pre-trance vibes. My mum would love this (probably did).
interesting electronic grooves
Liked it.
4/5
As background work music goes, this is pretty top notch.
This feels very much of its time, and the beats had me in mind of Enigma or even Deep Forest. I was heavily into that sort of thing at the time so I enjoyed this album, although not quite to the same degree. Rating: A low 4
"Water from a vine leaf" is my favorite on this one since it opened the album in such a cool way and I just absolutely loved it. My second fav is "time to get wise". This whole album is so unique to listen to, it's right up my alley. I love more musically complex albums that lean away from lyrics and show off their musical talent. This might be one of my favorite albums that I've heard on here so far, just since I love the sound of the music and how unique this is.
I like this one, cool vibe, sounds fantastic. Not a sing along album, of course, and for me music in this genre tends to kind of blend into the background, which makes this one pretty good if that's what I'm looking for.
I love William Orbit. The ambient scene of the early 90's was one of the many genres i got into, Bassomatic were excellent and then i came across his solo stuff and I bought this album when it came out. It would be a 5 star all day long if the album finished half way through. 'Water From A Vine Leaf' is such a laid back beautiful tune, like all of the first half. If you weren't going 'heeeyyy nowuwowa' through the story of light then their is something wrong with you, or maybe something wrong with me depending on your perspective. Then the second half of the album begins with 'Gringatcho Demento' and the whole vibe changes, whether its supposed to as some sort of theme for the album, I don't know but it jarrs with me. It finishes with the dreamy 'Water Babies' reprise and the chilled mood is back. So when I stick this on at least once or twice a year, I tend to listen to the first half. So if I'm going to rate this as a whole, its got to be a 4 star due to the reasons stated.
Great album that encapsulates the vibe and feeling of electronic music in 1993. Sounds like a mix of '90s spy movie soundtrack with a Southeast Asian backdrop. Pretty cool.
This goes right into the memory banks for "albums I can write to," which sounds like a niche use case, but I write like 2000-3000 words a day for work, and sometimes albums with more traditional instrumentation or lyrics I can understand and think about end up feeling distracting. This is really good stuff to thwart that. Great for my ADHD.
Y'know, I believe I might be thinking too hard about this album. I've made two attempts so far to try and find a frame through which to discuss this album. FIrst, I tried discussing how this kind of ambient techno is one of those genres I consider generally difficult to talk about, alongside jazz, rap and singer-songwriter folk. Then, I tried making a case where ambient electronica exists in a weird middle pocket between the two halves of its name, where it's hard for it to get any respect as a result. In both cases, I was only able to get so far in (maybe a paragraph or two) before I quickly lost confidence in the direction I was taking and ran out of words. Each time, it was all because of the nagging voice in the back of my head wondering, "Does an album like this really **need** this level of thought?" That might seem like an insulting question on the surface: implying the music on the album is very surface level and doesn't warrant taking the time to consider any deeper thoughts. Y'know, that it'd be a waste of time to try and think of it as any more than what's plainly there to see. "What you see is what you get and all." And, true, there are aspects of this you could probably consider, mostly in regards to where its worldly influences stem from. But, you also have to keep in mind: this is an ambient record. A **very** ambient record. Not to the point where it's music for airports, but I think on some level, it's expected that you're not supposed to think about it that hard. You're supposed to kind of just... Zone out to it. To let it score whatever thoughts happen to drift into your head as you're listening to it. To induce some kind of zen state. And I get why, to a lot of people, that would automatically ding this as a bad record. It's like, as much as jazz, rap and singer-songwriter folk can all be hard to talk about, at least there's complexities inherent in their genres that make them worth thinking and talking about. Meanwhile, I imagine to a lot of people an album like this would either not ambient enough for their tastes, or not electronica enough: it's not danceable enough to be electronica, and there might be too much going on for it to be pure ambient. It seems like a contradiction. But is it? I've seen people compare the music on this album to film scores — mostly in a negative way, to say it sounds like it should be underscoring a scene from a bad 90's techno thriller. But... I don't think thinking of it as a score is inherently the wrong way to go about it? 'Coz if you tell me that this sounds like a film score, then I'm interested in letting the music paint a picture of what this film could possibly look like. Or, y'know, there's video game soundtracks: music meant to accentuate what you're doing, and does have its own unique stuff going on within it, but never means to fully distract you. And that honestly seems about what this album is aiming for. I mean, what's wrong with music that's just meant to make the air around you a little less empty? And, just as well, wants to have a little more going on than just a few tape loops? I am absolutely not the kind of person who's gonna hate on an album for being wallpaper, so... I mean, maybe that's not a convincing argument. And maybe it's too ramble-y to be convincing anyway — I'unno. But it's like, taking a step back and looking at this album from afar, that's honestly what I see. If nothing else, it's music to make your life a little less quiet. And I dig it, honestly — I think it's a good sound, and it makes me curious to hear how this style was applied to pop music over on Madonna's RAY OF LIGHT album. It's chill, it's zen... I don't think I could ask any more of this thing. And certainly, it made the dusting I did while I was listening to it less boring. So, y'know what: it gets a pass from me. It's good. It's not absolutely astounding; I know several other records I'd probably reach for as sound filler before this one. But it'd be a very worthwhile pick if I **did** choose it. And that ain't cargo too strange, I don't think.
I may just be a sucker for the more ambient side of electronic music, but I dug this one a good amount. 4.5 bumped down to 4.
What the fuck? Why is this so good? BECAUSE IT IS. THAT'S WHY!!!
Smooth, good music.
I am such a sucker for this video game / DVD screen / on hold / ambient stuff.
this album makes me feel like the main character of the eponymous TV show Veronica Mars, who is Veronica Mars
I don't know if it's because I like video game soundtracks or just because I work in an office where the music helps me focus, but Electronica is a genre that's really grown on me. This had some lulls, but was pretty good.
Gar nicht schlecht
7/10 - it kind of reminded me of Minecraft music. It was pretty relaxing most of the time and I would listen to this again while studying or something
I always enjoy an instrumental album, particularly ethereal electronic music and this is once I will revisit.
Some of these songs are exactly what I would want to listen to while coming down from a shroom trip....others I would want to listen to while coming up on a DMT trip
Not on AM so to youtube music it is. Couple songs in and I am grooving. Love how the beat just keeps building up on Into the Paradise. Made me feel like I was on psychs so major points for that.
Funky instrumental with some cool SFX and samples.
Some Strange Cargo indeed, not sure what I was expecting from the cover or the wikipedia summary but it was still a incredibly laid back and enjoyable hour of music. It may be a bit too passive or for the lack of a better term 'video gamey' for some (there were some tracks where I was expecting to start hearing the UNATCO theme or some shit) but this was definitely something I see myself coming back to in the future
Evocative of the music that would be playing in some thriller from 1997 in a scene where the main character goes to some weird sex freak nightclub where everyone has UV face paint and are doing some made up future drug that makes you go insane and eat your own legs. I liked it.
9/10
I'm not sure this is really a 4 star album but it was perfect background for my paper editing session. It's rare I enjoy an electronica album
Cool chill trance/ambient music.
Not usually much of an electronic guy, but I dig this record. Really subtle and calm grooves that are very engaging.
I've listened to other albums by this artist and in general it's relatively interesting ambient music with clear techno influences. This album fits neatly into that paradigm. Good atmospheric music without being formless.
gorgeous especially when highhhh
I'll be honest, I didn't have much expectation for this, but it was pretty great. Standouts: "Time to Get Wize" & "Best Friend, Paranoia,"
Atmospheric ambient electronica. The vocals are added in as another instrument, not really anything to sing along with. Good for vibing out, having a chill evening.
people were hating on this, but i personally really enjoyed the departure from the entirely predictable stuff that mostly is on this list. this was an awesome album to listen to as i navigated a snowstorm, and it’s a fun prelude to some of my favorite ambient artists to follow. i’m glad i listened to it
Hard to rate this. I would never put this on for pure enjoyment or a car trip, but it was pretty great to work to this morning and definitely went on my "Concentration" play list. By my own rules that's a 4 or 5, think I'll make this a 4 since "it distracts some parts of my brain without distracting others" seems like faint praise.
I liked this - good background music
Excellent!
Really interesting
Really good Loved techno bass
strange, beautiful and hypnotic. to get the full effect, listen with headphones.
I enjoyed this. Have never heard of him before. its got a bit of everything . electronic is not a massive favorite of mine, but i would listen to this again. There were some really good tracks
still holds up. glad I got to learn about that guy.
this sounds like the music that plays in my head whenever i zone out
This is really interesting and I plan to listen to this during my work day on occasion
After having William Orbit enter my life at a live event 1 month ago - here he comes again. I'm a bit surprised I hadn't heard of him before. A lovely album.
## In-Depth Review of *Strange Cargo III* by William Orbit William Orbit's *Strange Cargo III*, released in 1993, stands as a pivotal work in the electronic music landscape. As the third installment in the *Strange Cargo* series, this album showcases Orbit's unique blend of ambient, downtempo, and electronic elements, setting a benchmark for future productions in these genres. This review will explore the album's lyrics, music, production quality, themes, and its influence on the electronic music scene, while also discussing its pros and cons. ### ****Lyrics *Strange Cargo III* is primarily an instrumental album, which is characteristic of Orbit's style. The few tracks that feature vocals do so sparingly and are often more about texture than narrative. The standout track, "Water From a Vine Leaf," features spoken word contributions from Beth Orton. Her ethereal voice narrates a dreamlike sequence that evokes imagery of youth and simplicity, encapsulating feelings of nostalgia and innocence. The lyrics are poetic and abstract, enhancing the ambient quality of the music rather than driving a conventional narrative. Other tracks like "Deus Ex Machina" and "Time to Get Wize" incorporate vocal snippets that add to the atmospheric soundscapes but do not dominate the compositions. This minimalist approach to lyrics allows listeners to immerse themselves in the overall sonic experience without being distracted by overt storytelling. ### ****Music Musically, *Strange Cargo III* is a rich tapestry of sounds that blends various genres. Key characteristics include: - **Ambient Soundscapes**: The album opens with "Water From a Vine Leaf," which sets a serene tone with gentle synths and soft percussion. This track is widely regarded as one of Orbit's masterpieces, praised for its lush sound design. - **Diverse Influences**: Orbit skillfully incorporates elements from various styles including Balearic beats, progressive house, trip-hop, and even hints of classical music. Tracks like "Into The Paradise" and "The Story of Light" showcase his ability to blend these genres seamlessly. - **Innovative Arrangements**: The production features intricate layering of sounds, creating depth and complexity. For instance, "A Touch of the Night" combines electronic beats with orchestral strings, resulting in a cinematic feel. - **Rhythmic Variety**: While some tracks maintain a steady ambient flow, others like "Gringatcho Demento" introduce more dynamic rhythms and even guitar solos, showcasing Orbit’s versatility as a producer. ### ****Production Quality Orbit produced *Strange Cargo III* at Guerilla Studios in London, where he honed his craft to create an immersive listening experience. The production quality is exceptional: - **Sound Clarity**: Each element is distinct yet harmoniously blended. The use of space in the mix allows listeners to discern individual instruments and layers without feeling cluttered. - **Innovative Techniques**: Orbit employs various production techniques such as sampling and looping to create unique textures. This innovation is evident in tracks like "Harry Flowers," which features intricate sound manipulation. - **Cohesive Flow**: Despite its varied styles and influences, the album flows cohesively from track to track. This fluidity enhances the overall listening experience and invites repeated plays. ### ****Themes Thematically, *Strange Cargo III* explores concepts of memory, nostalgia, and the passage of time: - **Nostalgia**: The use of spoken word and serene melodies evokes memories of youth and simpler times. This theme resonates particularly in "Water From a Vine Leaf," where Orton’s lyrics reflect on fleeting moments. - **Nature and Serenity**: Many tracks incorporate natural sounds or themes that promote relaxation and introspection. The ambient nature of the music invites listeners to connect with their thoughts and feelings. - **Cultural Fusion**: Tracks like "The Monkey King" introduce ethnic influences that celebrate diversity in sound. This theme reflects Orbit's broad musical palette and his ability to fuse different cultural elements into his work. ### ****Influence *Strange Cargo III* has had a significant impact on the electronic music scene: - **Pioneering Ambient Music**: The album is often credited with helping to popularize ambient music in mainstream culture during the early '90s. Its influence can be seen in subsequent works by artists across various genres who have embraced similar soundscapes. - **Inspiring Future Artists**: Many contemporary electronic musicians cite Orbit as an inspiration for their own work. His innovative blending of genres paved the way for artists exploring ambient and downtempo sounds. - **Legacy in Club Culture**: Tracks from this album have been embraced by DJs worldwide, becoming staples in club playlists. The remixes of "Water From a Vine Leaf" further solidified its status within dance music circles. ### ****Pros and Cons #### Pros - **Innovative Sound Design**: Orbit’s ability to create lush soundscapes makes this album a standout in electronic music. - **Cohesive Flow**: Despite its genre-hopping nature, the album maintains a cohesive listening experience. - **Memorable Tracks**: Songs like "Water From a Vine Leaf" remain iconic within both ambient and electronic music communities. #### Cons - **Limited Vocal Presence**: For listeners seeking lyrical depth or storytelling, the minimal use of vocals may be disappointing. - **Pacing Issues**: Some tracks may feel indulgent or drag on longer than necessary for certain listeners. - **Dated Elements**: While groundbreaking at its release, some production techniques may feel dated compared to modern standards. ### Conclusion In conclusion, *Strange Cargo III* by William Orbit is a landmark album that captures the essence of early '90s electronic music while pushing boundaries through innovative production techniques and diverse influences. Its themes resonate deeply with listeners seeking both relaxation and introspection. While it may not cater to everyone’s tastes due to its minimalist lyrical approach and occasional pacing issues, its strengths far outweigh these drawbacks. This album remains an essential listen for anyone interested in ambient or electronic music history.
I liked it a lot! It sounds like the perfect soundtrack to listen to in the car while returning from a hardcore punk concert.
Fav: Harry Flowers Least Fav: The Monkey King Very relaxing, but I couldn’t help but feel that the album dragged on towards the end. Still, it was an enjoyable album
Very good sound. Not particularly distinctive but I like the genre
nice background focus music. reminds me a bit of chemical brothers but probably a precursor to that because of the amount of instrumentation and global influences involved here. i don't really have too many specific thoughts though...the songs with vocalists were nice too but i'm not sure i would return to any of it per se.
It's electronic music with some global influences. Good, although not jaw-dropping in a now-crowded field. Favorite track: probably "The Story of Light."
It's a banger it almost made me not mad about the unnecessary cultural appropriation in the cover art.
There are some low points for, but I give him some points for some Mike Oldfieldian moments.....Water Babies is 4 minute Mike Oldfield reminiscent track so gotta rate this high. I may have been drinking and not that into other tracks, but this and some weed...well I'm rating. May regret this later.
William Orbit's unlikely trajectory to the toppermost of the poppermost can very well be traced to Strange Cargo III. The final installment of the Strange Cargo series sees the electronic producer take on any and all soundscapes that could be bent to his well, becoming crafted into impeccable compositions along the way. It is obvious, going deeper into this album, why acts such as Madonna and Blur flocked to him at the turn of the millennium; Strange Cargo III is anything but. Favorites: Water From a Vine Leaf, Into the Paradise, Time to Get Wize, Harry Flowers, A Hazy Shade of Random, Best Friend, Paranoia, Water Babies.
People on this website don't usually jive with this kind of music, but I enjoyed it. Cool ethereal vibes
Kivaa elektronista, instrumentaalista musiikkia. Kappaleissa hämärä ja jännittävä fiilis. Osittain myös kivan ambienttia, varsinkin Deus Ex Machina. Parhaat: The Monkey King, A Touch Of The Night
A good album to study to. Mellow trip hop electronica. Well done.
Electronic but maybe a little trance? I don’t know but I liked it. Smaller doses instead of the full album would be enjoyable.
Oh goddamn. When was the last time anyone thought about William Orbit? There’s a lot going on here. Absolutely of its time. So many DJs popped up around then. A lot of them got exposure doing remixes and CD single bonus tracks. If memory serves, this guy did remixes for Bjork’s Post album. Those kinds of CDs were a challenge to hunt down, and it was a gamble if any of the tracks were good. Makes me want to dig through up the old CD binders. I like this. Thought it would be tedious, but it’s actually pretty good. Relaxed, loungy background music for disco naps, or working on projects. Mellow but not boring or cloying. 4/5
this was a lot of fun. i missed out on señor orbit in general, and this album in particular, in its time - i was listening to helmet, and the pogues, and embrace, and dag nasty, and and and - but i really liked it, hearing it now. for better or worse, i don't recall a single track really standing out, but i was surprisingly ok with that in the end. it's a nice slice of 1993, and one that i was never gonna experience at the time.
This is the perfect album to play at about 3 in the morning after a few pints, and not at 10 in the evening after listening to Motörhead. But that's my fault. It dragged on a bit too long for me.
There are quite a few 90s UK electronica albums in this list, this one has been one the best so far.
Somewhat interresting, a bit long but generally enjoyable. Good enough to get (just) 4 stars.
Fedt også med noget anderledes
William Orbit's music is an interesting compilation of styles. He makes dance music with ambient backgrounds, pushing towards genres that he helped develop, like trip hop and progressive house. Strange Cargo III is his fourth solo album, and the third in a series that experimented with ambient influences. Volume III is his most polished, and most successful of these albums. Orbit made fun, influential dance tracks created from the fusion of styles that Orbit made popular. .
nice sound tracks
83/100
Good ambience music, the kind of chill-out bar vibes. I guess it's not really designed to pay a huge amount of attention to it so I just kind of left it as background noise and thought about my own stuff - once I did that I actually enjoyed it.
Entrancing
I really dig the vibe of this. It’s ambient but funky. Great chill music. It’s something I would’ve listened to in college for sure. I’m surprised I didn’t know of this group then.
This is straight up 90s vibes in a beautiful nutshell.
I do rather like downtempo electronica with a sprinkling of world music, and this is a competent (and pretty early!) example of the genre, but it's never really been one of my faves and I've never had that close of a relationship with it, so it's not gonna manage 5 stars. Now if we were talking about Banco de Gaia's "Igizeh", that'd be a different matter! Fave track - "The Story of Light" stood out to me, predominantly because of the non-English vocals. They seemed very familiar to me, and I was wondering if they'd been sampled in other songs, but after some googling I think it might be because that track was used in Chris Morris's surreal dark comedy series "Jam" 😆
Groovy EDM! Favorite track: Into the paradise Other picks: water from a vine leaf, gringatcho demento, the story of light
This was some cool chill music. Great to listen to late at night as a wind down. First half was pretty strong. Second half faded a bit. Will recommend to those who dig chill electronica with the occasional pulsating beat.
Very fun. I've never heard of this guy and each track is unique. I liked this album.
Rätt bra faktiskt!!
Для 1993 очень круто, где-то между 3 и 4 оценка, но скорее 4. Сделано интересно
приятная этно электроника (честно, не знаю как это назвать кроме как сборника невышедших фильмов) Очень разнообразно и интересно Алкоальбом: лонг айленд но очень ебанутый
Really ethereal and mesmerising music
Decent chill electronic
Solid album
Liked this one more than I thought I would. I’ve been going through Blurs stuff nonstop so cool to see that he produced for them. Rating: 3.8
A cool chilled out electronic/ambient house album that was a nice ease into the day. There were some interesting textural layers to the sound that in headphones sounded pretty amazing. Best: Water From A Vine Leaf Worst: Water Babies
This guy jams. No wonder Madonna and so many other artists tapped him. A real musician and a lot of groove. Some tracks get pretty esoteric; however, this is not out of his nature…his love of interpreting classics and more traditional music into an electronic realm. He certainly follows in the footsteps of electronic innovators like Wendy Carlos, Edgar Froese, Jean-Michel Jarre, Brian Eno, etc.
Cool beans
I suppose I had some preconceived notions about this, but they were quickly dismantled. A pleasant mix of beats and more ambient textures. Like a dancey Eno, but doesn't go full Moby. Yeah, fun.
Very good. I spent too much time trying to figure out what's written on the cover. I think it says "ចៅខេមរភាសា", but "grandson, khmer language" sounds stupid and I can't find what other meaning ចៅ could have here. If it's just random words then I'm VERY trolled, pretend I rated it 1 star. The album worked great as background music to this process, it's very light. At times when my mind switched to listening to it, I was pleased with what I heard
Very hackers soundtrack esque, good listening
Ethereal background music. Listened while working and loved it.
Very nearly a 5 for me. Maybe it will be soon, but after two listens the second half really does lose me a bit. I'd actually listened to William Orbit nearly ten years ago, saved a bunch of tracks to Spotify and then forgot all about it, really enjoyed coming back to it.
Toimii.. Ymmärrä välillä liekö äänet ääniä.. objekteja vai tunteita.. Järjetöntä.. Enemmän kuitenkin musiikin nauttimisalbumi.. kaiken tämän voin uskoa.. kaiken tämän voin nauttia.. ulkopuolelle ei jää saavuttamatonta ilmaisua jonka takia pitäisi kuunnella uudestaan..
Unique and trippy listen. 4.5!
Loved it
Decent chilled album
a VERY interesting ambient electronic album with lots of the worldly influences with SUPER deep grooves. this is an album you listen to in the shower at 3am. this is an album that would serve as the soundtrack for a really unheard of exploration action game with tank controls for the ps1.
Love the variety of instrumentals
I wasn't sure if I wanted to go with 3 or 4 stars for this one. Its a good background album for writing and reading, which are always great, but some of it was a bit boring. The first track was great though!
Very lovely. Very soothing.
I continue to be surprised I like 80s/90s eurotrash electronics
Great album. Never heard him before but a good option for work music
It was an interesting album, but not my favorite.
Ok so having not listened to the Strange Cargo series for about 20 years I had no memory of it being a series For this exercise I listened to all them back to back and found volume 3 to captivate me the least. Still amazing but more like waking up from a post comedown sleep than the feeling of chemicals seeping away at 5am in a chillout room. Seriously worth exploring the three together as they are groundbreaking electronica
I wonder if Strange Cargo, will also be in must hear albums. So far its the most interesting one that I've heard and it's only been 1 min. So I finished the album, it was very soft and nice, I'd love to hear it with some weed. Oscar might like it, but his kind of music its more mind raping, that or the shromms had me to paranoic. 4/5
6 / 10 New Age - Electrónico. Tipo Mike Oldfield. Mucha instrumentación y pocas voces.
Very solid working music. Love that this kind of album made the cut- it sounds like the soundtrack to one of the 90s computer games that I would play in the background back in high school when doing homework (thank you Age of Empires II soundtrack for getting me through many difficult assignments).
very trippi work/ background music. cool
Nostalgic techno I have never heard before
Some pretty solid ambient music. I'll have to add this to my favorites for work/focus music.
01) Water from a Vine Leaf - 8,5 02) Into the Paradise - 8,5 03) Time to get Wize - 8,5 04) Harry Flowers - 8,0 05) A Touch of the Night - 8,5 06) The Story of Light - 8,5 07) Gringatcho Demento - 7,5 08) A Hazy Shade of Random - 8,0 09) Best Friend, Paranoia - 7,5 10) The Monkey King - 7,0 11) Deus Ex Machina - 7,0 12) Water Babies - 7,5 TOTAL: 7,92 (79/100) My first knowledge of William Orbit is that he produced Madonna's "Ray Of Light", I didn't know he released five albums before that. This is actually very cool listening. It reminds me of Moby's "Play", but it was released before that so... maybe "Play" was influenced by Orbit. Oh, and I always thought that William Orbit is a part of "Orbital". Seems I was wrong :-) One can learn a lot while listening to 1001 albums.
the album could work better without the last two or three songs, but otherwise amazing trance
I’ve come to enjoy road trips more since undertaking this project because it gives me an excuse to deliberately listen to these albums without interruption. Unfortunately today’s road trip involved the entire family…who did not enjoy this record. I, however, firmly liked it as I have with any of the electronica that has appeared on this list. William Orbit is a top-tier name in electronic music and this album is a clear example of why.
Wij horen dit misschien zelf niet, maar eigenlijk is dit een gigantisch tijdgebonden jaren negentig-plaat volgens mij. Die electronische ritmetjes, die quasi-religieuze interessantdoenerij, dat geluidje dat klinkt alsof er ergens verderop in de fabriekshal twee tegels vrij hardhandig op elkaar worden gestapeld. En voor de verandering een fietsbel en een piepje van de hartbewaking. Maar al met al luistert het wel aardig weg.
Klaar met luisteren en al bijna de drie sterren aangetikt. Maar werd mij net op tijd bewust dat de laatste twee nummers iets te sterk mijn oordeel bepaalde. We kunnen wel zonder dat onderwatergeluid. Die nummers lijken sterk op wat gepingel wat Moby soms deed. En nu ik toch die associatie heb. Die man had ook de andere nummers voor zijn rekening kunnen nemen. Zeker het eerste (en beste) nummer. Een harde 4 wordt het ook weer niet. Maar het verschil tussen een zachte en harde 4, zie je toch niet terug in de statistieken.
I secretly love synth music. I definitely prefer the more purely ambient stuff in this album, rather than the ones that include lyrics/talking, but nearly all of the songs made it on to my ambient-working-music playlist. A few drifted a little too far into discordance and eeriness for my taste, but on the whole, enjoyable. 3.5, let's say.
Very laid back but lots of depth
First 3/4 of this album is pretty sweet. Lots of nontraditional sound coming together into a satisfying groove. Sadly the last quarter resides in a melancholic purgatory that fails to arouse any of the excitement established in earlier tracks. Possible 5/5 without the last 4 songs
This is actually really nice. I like it a lot more than I thought I would. For me, this is about a 3.5.
Surprisingly good ambient.
I like it alot
Lots of great stuff on this album and many tracks I will be happy to hear again. Interested to explore more of his work as I suspect I will enjoy it.
Quite good electronic music among a lot of quite good electronic music in this project. Not a stand-out, but absolutely listenable.
Weird, but I like it. Some of the songs make me think that it was used as inspiration for other work in the future.
Interesting
I like this album. Perfect in the background while getting work done.
Weird album, but I love it
Weird, strange, different. Thoroughly enjoyable.
Great drum loops, cool bass lines. Works well if you get lost in the repetition, not so well if you're too actively focusing on it.
House, trance. Está bien. Un 4.
Fortunately this was on YouTube Music, because it was strangely missing from Apple Music. I haven’t liked the other 90s electronica on this list, but I did like this! This was chill and yet interesting. I am going to look into William Orbit’s discography because I can see myself enjoying it.
I liked it - music to chill to. My faourite was the first track, "Water from a Vine Leaf", which reminded me of Enigma.
I know and like it, although it's a bit popular.
As Electronica on this list goes, I liked this as well or a bit better than anything else so far, and better than most. There is a fine line between a hypnotic pattern and irritating repetition and this stays on the right side of it. The spoken word stuff struck me as it almost always does as pseudo-philosophical drivel.
Super bien joué William, continue.
first listen objectively i would have to say this is slow, but that's the point...i found this really relaxing and liked it
So today we have an album that seems to be the third in a series I’ve never heard of, by a person I’ve never heard of. I swear, sometimes I feel like I must live under a rock with the amount of respected musicians that have just never come onto my radar. Songs I already knew: none Favourites: Water From A Vine Leaf, Harry Flowers A year ago, I’d have expressed minimal interest in instrumental electronic music. Things have changed the more I listen. To be clear, there are occasional vocals here but it’s certainly minimal. The music is just so nice and pleasant. When the synths kicked in in Water From A Vine Leaf, it set my expectations high for the rest of the album, and it delivered. This is likely going to stay on my mind for study music, along the Boards Of Canada and Aphex Twin.
This album was ALL over the place. As it so happened, that's where my mind was today. Really hit right
Very into this one. Great background music during work.
Good background as others have mentioned. Reminded me of Massive Attack. Are you sure this wasn’t Massive Attack?
Extremt bra??
Well there’s another huge banger of an album that I had never even heard of (nor the artist) with which I found myself bopping along. Sure as shit don’t sound like 1993.
Made my work day 1000x more bearable, but I do think I'd still enjoy this in the background if I weren't working or studying. It's good for what it is.
Early 90s electro chill breaks, with a definite world music vibe. Very nice, wish I had a few of these tracks for my Ku De Ta days.
Electronica Classical!
Excellent chill out music
Yeah, I dig techno.
Pretty smooth and groovy, an enjoyable listen
House, trance. Está bien. Un 4.
me sorprendió! 8/10
Loving this album!! It's very Massive Attackish. This was a great album! Loved the ambience and the eeriness.
I kinda got into this one more than I thought I would. Considering it seemed pretty out of the blue just like the previous album, listening to this made for a pretty fun tram ride home - banging beats and cool vibes, happy I heard this one. Probably not the most incredible thing I’ll hear from this whole list but pretty groovy. Three and a half stars. Fave track: The Story of Light
Whoa, this album was cool as hell. Really dug it. It wasn't obtrusive at all, but it was consistently pretty engaging. Will definitely listen again. Standouts: Water From A Vine Leaf, Into The Paradise, Harry Flowers, Best Friend, Paranoia
real good electronica. found it interesting throughout. if you don't like electronica then don't bother. if you do, this may be a find or a mainstay already.
Great ambient music
This was really weird, I thought at first I wasn't going to enjoy this album, then as I listened on it grew on me, its tranquil at time, and could also be quite spooky and mysterious
Will fall asleep to again!
A pleasant surprise.
Mais uma grata descoberta de opção para audição de música ambient e eletrônica. A sequência desenvolve uma atmosfera envolvida numa série de camadas sonoras constituindo a energia melódica supreendente.
I generally like the mood and atmosphere of this. The dialogue samples on "Deus Ex Machina" kinda break the vibe a bit, but other than that, a pretty smooth ride. Nice headphone music.
Preface: I took a 25mg edible and then spoke to my parents for an hour to let it kick in. Started really hitting when I put this on. I had no idea. Water From A Vines Leaf - I am so fucking hyped right now. Instantly. I just want to crank the bass up for this. I will but only for a little. “Four young girls getting water from a vine leaf. Dropping it on my tongue.” Into The Paradise - This is just good fucking vibes. Time To Get Size - Switch up. Still so sick. This piano is hitting right now. FUCK. “Rico Conning contributed flexible bleeps and roadhouse piano on "Time to get Wize” . The fact that there’s something called flexible bleeps is wild to me. Harry Flowers - Dub bass line. Crank it again. A Touch Of The Night - What an end. The Story Of Light - “Let your love shine down on me.” Damn. Gringatcho Demento - During this song, I learned my friend might move to New York. The stoke levels are high. Another groove. A Hazy Shade Of Random - The song title is accurate. Dead accurate. Best Friend, Paranoia - I’m trying to think of what Linkin Park song this sounds like? Or vice versa. The Monkey King - Honestly kind of spaced out for this one. Was eating a snack. Will go back and listen later. Deus Ex Machina - Someone was strumming some strings and now I’m lost in space. Water Babies - The Journey is coming to an end. What a pleasant send off. Epilogue - Currently the morning after the above. I listened to The Monkey King again and recognize why I may have spaced out during this song. Very mellow and soft in sound. I’d put this somewhere between a 3 and a 4, but give it the 4 for the experience.
I have never heard of Billy Orbs. Had no expectations going in. There’s some pretty insane sound design on this album. LOVE all the synth stuff. This dub track is sexy. It’s time to get wiZe, baby. There are so many cool little one-off moments on this record that made me go “cool!”. Just little moments here and there where he pulls out some random synth for 5 notes, plays some slick riff on the guitar, plays some strange ethereal pad, hits some groovy thick ass bass lick. A Touch of the Night is perfectly named. It’s got just a little bit of the sinister in there. So very percussive and clicky. My favorite! And who could forget those laserbeams!? I totally just feel like I am in space. Definitely getting a Screamadelica adjacent vibe from this listen. The checkout scanner bleep in the background of A Hazy Shade of Random is wonderful. The bleeping life support that drives the buzzy synth along competing with the beautiful pads and piano riffage that comes in like I’m standing in a Great Fairy Fountain about to get my magic upgrade. You know what? I get this feeling Koji Kondo heard The Monkey King, the intro sounds so much like the music for the Forest Temple. I really enjoyed the production on this album. Lots of immersive panning, tangible percussive instruments that come in with a crispness, samples from this or that movie, sound design that really puts you in whatever scene Orbit was trying to craft which I assume is somewhere between deep space, a murky cave, and the middle of the desert (all while somehow being inside of a cop car patrolling the rainy streets of some dystopian society). Will definitely revisit this album and likely more of Orbit’s discography!
I immediately dug this record. Its mashing of dub, 1990s house, and ambient holds strange powers over me, and William Orbit knows it. A fitting album title and accompanying album art. Very strange to hear Beth Orton’s voice hear too (read she was Orbit’s gf at the time). The ambient stuff is especially cryptic. I feel like I’m on drugs. I just want to lie down in the wet mud with my eyes closed and listen to this all day. There are a lot of ideas on this record. But somehow it retains its consistency and form. Never sounds scattered. Just, yeah, lots of ideas. This is music for a brainstorm. I’m going to give it a 4 but it honestly could be a 5. I just need more time with it. This album comes to me completely context-less. I have no references. Well, one: maybe the KLF. Otherwise, I can’t place it and it’s marvelous.
This was a bit of an eye-opening album for me when I first heard it; I hadn't heard that combination of atmospheric electronica combined with beats and new agey progressions before. It served as frequent background to my study time in college, and prompted me to get Madonna's "Ray of Light" when it came out despite never having picked up any of her previous albums.
electronic weirdness, love it
Great music to work too. Bass lines are killer. Would listen again
Hell yeah, there's not enough of this type of music on this list (at least not that I've seen yet!)
Not a fan of electronic, but I'd listen to this again for sure.
Really nice flow. Relaxing, made me sleepy but in a good way. Then it sort of falls apart at the end.
This is really cool.
Weird. Spacey. Fun to listen to. Electronic without being intrusive and annoying. I like a the juice.
Muy bien, no me lo esperaba, toque así tipo Oldfield
I love some of the tribalbeat sounds in this, and found it to be a pleasant surprise on what I expected to be a bland work.
I listened to this while working, and I have to say, it's great for that purpose. Honestly a really enjoyable album for me, but I love the atmospheric instrumental stuff. Solid 4/5.
Never would have connected with this at the time but I've really come to enjoy this sort of ambient electronic trippy music. The only critique - and it's not much of one - is that it's much more of a mood/feel than a collection of what we traditionally think of as "songs" - so I don't necessarily have a favourite but this has been great to loop and work all day to. I'll listen to this again in the right atmosphere for sure. So it's tough to "rank" this and though I'd never make this anything close to a favourite album or genre, I'm giving this 4 stars for hitting the exact buttons it means to. 7/10 4 stars.
25/08/2022 William Orbit – Strange Cargo III 4/5 Electronica has become one of my favourite genres together with folk, indie and pop, and it’s great to listen to the seed of what that style is today. Strange Cargo III is a very early 90’s electronica album, with all that that implies. It is enjoyable, at least for me, but knowing how the genre have evolved with time and technological progress, it sounds a bit simple and not fully developed sometimes. However, it is very chill and well built on its context, and it doesn’t have a low point across the whole album. Water From A Vine Leaf – 4.5/5 Surprisingly good for its length: 7 minutes that doesn’t become a tedious listen. Its first half develops a good beat, and the second evolves a bit with variation and the inclusion of a singer. Very enjoyable. Into The Paradise – 4.5/5 This album is quite interesting. Some songs are built similar to modern electronic music, like they are intended to sound in a club (mostly because their structure and duration). But they aren’t that danceable and are rather slow, at least to current standards (It is probably my age thinking). This is one of the cases, and I quite like it. It becomes a fairly “sexy” song thanks to the voice and the beat. Time To Get Wize – 3/5 more of a “generic song”, still good. Harry Flowers – 4/5 This is a song that breaks the consistency of the album so far, sounding more like the soundtrack of a movie or a videogame, and leaning more into the ambient/relaxing music. A Touch Of The Night – 4/5 Very intriguing melody, and great bass/drums combination. It almost sounds like club music from outer space. The Story Of Light – 4 /5 Good build-up, to become a great hit to dance to (slowly?). Interesting sounds, and the included singer gives it a good touch. Gringatcho Demento – 4/5 Another song that builds-up to a good beat and instrumentation. This one has a surprising guitar solo in the middle. A Hazy Shade Of Random – 4.5/5 Mostly slow songs that evolves into a impressive beat. My favourite song of the album. Best Friend, Paranoia – 2.5/5 It follows a similar structure and composition, but it gets stuck in the middle between a high energy and low energy song. The Monkey King – 2/5 Probably the weakest song of the album. Another one that breaks the general pattern, becoming an ambient track. It doesn’t generates a good enough atmosphere for me. Deus Ex Machina – 2/5 Similar to the previous one, it doesn’t make it for me. Water Babies – 3.5/5 This one follow similarly to the 2 before, but it builds up a cute melody that becomes more and more complex until it fades our. A good way to close the album.
Funky
8/10. I liked this. Not the most exciting to get for my 500th album, but a solid inclusion.