William Orbit

A founding member of 1980s synth-pop dance act Torch Song, William Orbit was at the forefront of the acid house movement before experimenting with trance, electro and classical styles on his way to becoming one of the world's most sought after producers. Inspired by the soulful dance beats emanating from Chicago, Orbit formed the short-lived group Bassomatic, scoring a UK hit with the single Fascinating Rhythm in 1990, before making his name on the growing club scene as a DJ and re-mixer. With his label Guerilla Records, he quickly became a key member of the dance scene, releasing albums by seminal artists such as Felix Da Housecat, React2Rhythm and Spooky, as well as a series of his own solo recordings named Strange Cargo. Orbit's worldwide reputation was clinched when he produced the acclaimed, Grammy-winning Madonna album Ray of Light (1997) and the Blur classic 13 (1999). But it was his fusion of classical arrangements and electronic ambience on sixth solo album Pieces in a Modern Style (2000) that gave him the surprise club anthem and UK Number 4 hit Adagio For Strings - thanks to a remix by Ferry Corsten. Orbit has gone on to compose classical pieces for the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra, produce songs for Robbie Williams and Britney Spears and work with Finley Quaye, Sugababes and Laurie Mayer on his solo album Hello Waveforms (2006).

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