This celebration of the British ambient-dance group's first 10 years is one for all electronic tastes. Whether you like your beats hard and fast or slow and gentle, U.F. Off has something for everyone, with each of the alb... more »um's 12 compositions wrapped generously in the Orb's uniquely dubbed-out style. Orb aficionados will enjoy some new mixes of old favorites, such as "Little Fluffy Clouds" by LFC and "A Huge Ever Growing Brain..." by Orbital, while newcomers will be drawn by the timeless sunrise aura of "Blue Room" and "Pi (Part 1)." However, it is during the pulsating reggae throb of "Perpetual Dawn (Solar Youth Mix)" and the metronomic trance-floor classic "Assassin" that the Orb's richest identity shines. The first 15,000 copies come with a 12-song bonus disc containing further riches, rarities, and previously unreleased recordings. --Steffan Chirazi« less
This celebration of the British ambient-dance group's first 10 years is one for all electronic tastes. Whether you like your beats hard and fast or slow and gentle, U.F. Off has something for everyone, with each of the album's 12 compositions wrapped generously in the Orb's uniquely dubbed-out style. Orb aficionados will enjoy some new mixes of old favorites, such as "Little Fluffy Clouds" by LFC and "A Huge Ever Growing Brain..." by Orbital, while newcomers will be drawn by the timeless sunrise aura of "Blue Room" and "Pi (Part 1)." However, it is during the pulsating reggae throb of "Perpetual Dawn (Solar Youth Mix)" and the metronomic trance-floor classic "Assassin" that the Orb's richest identity shines. The first 15,000 copies come with a 12-song bonus disc containing further riches, rarities, and previously unreleased recordings. --Steffan Chirazi
"These guys are definately masters of their domain. I don't like this as much as Aphex Twin or Orbital or Tricky, another three distinctive styles, but if you like (a) dance songs like Little Fluffy Clouds, (b) funky electronic playing around, (c) techno that isn't quite dance, (d) dub-techno fusion, and all with a pretty funky sense of humor, you will like this cd. I'm not as big a fan of their style as some might be but their electronic chops are undeniable. Also, for twenty bucks for two absolutely jam-packed (70+minutes each) cds of rare material, ya can't go wrong. Geez, buy it already."
Ohhhawwwwohhhhawwwww (Blue Room)
12/22/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I have always 'liked' The Orb but did not love them. I saw them in concert once and LOVED the music. I didn't like their release stuff because it felt over-sampled for my taste- too much voice and cacophony, not enough beat.This album solves that problem, starting with Huge Evergrowing.... and bumping along to the end.I like to listen to techno/trance/ambient while I work (IC Engineer) and I need something with an orderly flow and constant beat. Excellent dance tracks, taking the best and most memorable samples of The Orb and remixing along the lines of Orbital, Underworld, Sasha/Digweed, etc. Underworld actually remixed the first track. If you like Orbital, Underworld, etc but could never warm up to the more ambient sound of The Orb, then GET THIS ALBUM."
A good introduction to The Orb
Erica Anderson | Minneapolis, MN | 04/17/2004
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I love techno music. I have been a techno fanatic for some time now. It really irritates me when people who don't like techno music has to criticize the music and try to shove their music down other dance fans like myself. A reviewer here wrote that he didn't understand why people listened to this sort of music. Well I like it because I love listening to music that doesn't get played on the radio. I also love to dance to this sort of music. I will pass on Pink Floyd and Eric Clapton. That sort of music bores me to death. Back in college I had a roommate who was even a bigger techno fan than I was. He helped shape my taste in music by unwittingly introducing me to Moby, Orbital, Leftfield and Delerium. Another techno act he exposed me to was The Orb. Their music was nothing that I haven't heard before. It was a good mixture of techno and reggae, especially on "Perpetual Dawn" (my personal favorite song by The Orb). I bought "U.F.Off: The Best of The Orb" to familiarize myself with their music. It was definitely different from Moby, Orbital, and Leftfield to say the very least. Another favorite song of mine by The Orb is "A Huge Evergrowing Pulsating..." which takes a sample from the old Minnie Ripperton song "Loving You". Good use of sampling as opposed to any song by Poofy (my nickname for the former Puffy/P.Diddy). All the songs on both disc one and two are cool. I more akin to the first disc though. For people who want to check out The Orb's music but never have, I strongly suggest checking out their best of cd. It is a good introduction."
A welcome return to past glories.
Sam (worm@wormzone.u-net.com) | Durham, UK | 10/08/1998
(4 out of 5 stars)
"The orb have gone off the boil a tad over the last few years but this release sees Dr Alex & Co doing what they do best once again. This CD offers mainstream orientated Orb fans access to the kind of remixes that have only been available on records before now. Excellent stuff, but make sure you get the limited double CD version as it has some of the best stuff on the bonus disc."
The Only Way to Start
J. Brady | PAWLEYS ISLAND, SC United States | 08/26/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"For those of you who are Orb-curious, this a great place to start. A little bit of this, a little bit of that. More or less a singles compilation, with a few rarities, remixes and a live track as well. All the bases are covered. Techno, ambient house, hard electro, drum 'n' bass, dub reggae. It's all here. Kind of like a primer of 1990's style electronic music. Great for fans and completists also, because of the before mentioned rarities.
If you like this, I'd suggest the first album "the Orb's Adventures Beyond the Ultraworld" as your next purchase; it's where it all started. If you like more ambient style music that doesn't bash you over the head with hard beats and endless repitition, give "Orbus Terrarum" a listen."