Metallic Spheres

Tune in, turn on and drop off.

Perhaps the major surprise is not that The Orb should hook up with Pink Floyd guitarist David Gilmour to record together, but that it has taken them so long to do it.

The cosmic excesses of 1960s and 1970s Floyd have always been a big influence on Orb man Alex Paterson's stoner-friendly musical ramblings, and their modus operandi fits neatly on this album's mellow meanderings.

It contains just the two tracks, the 28-minute Metallic Side and 20-minute Sphere Side, with Gilmour’s droning, dub-friendly guitar describing languid arcs across Paterson’s burbling synths, found noises and understated techno beats.

Jet engines swoosh, chimes tinkle, voices occasionally whisper in the distance and the overall effect is pleasantly distracting if ultimately somewhat inconsequential. Expect to hear it in a shop near you soon.

Album Review by Ian Gittins