I hope eveyone remembers this is not an Orb CD, and doesn't represent Dr. Alex Patterson's inpiring imagination...it's more of a collection of work by Alex, assoc. and company.

At first listen I didn't care for it too much...and NO, I wasn't expecting it to sound exactly like Dr. Alex, simply because I already knew this was not an official Orb release/album. So I didn't play it for a while, until I played it once more recently, and realised how complex the music is and not suprisingly, it now ranks pretty close to any Orb album I own.

To enjoy this project you have to listen to it straight through, from beginning to finish (just like any Orb album). Some of the tracks (not written by Alex) sound similar to the Orb's past work with their low bass line, heavy beats, and minimal ambience. I especially love the two tracks Alex submitted to this project (Cool Harbour, and I Am The Red Worm). But what makes this project special is that it's work written and produced by friends and such of Dr. Alex, and all together it works well as "joined-snapshots" of work around one man's vision.

As for the other ten tracks, there is nothing too interesting about them, but only works well as one piece of music, and some of it is more of that sarcastic british pun/humor that we all know so well from many or all of the Orb's own albums. Other than "Cool Harbour" " and "..the Red Worm", I think "Puffin' In Paradise" could work well on it's own...very Meat Beat Manifesto-ish.

The Orb have certainly slid since the heights of Plateau and Valley. If you're into monotonous electronic drum rhythms you might get something out of this. Otherwise, give it a miss. Unimaginative and boring. Great disappointment.

At first listening to this one i wasn't quite sure. liked the uptempo "ow much" but the rest didn't jump out at me. after many spins that track is my least fave. the deep subtle grooves here sneak up on ya, worming their way into your subconscious. the more ya listen, the more this record reveals... it's rich in subtlety. i am a rabid orb fan, and still believe that Dr Alex P is the most influential and talented "electronica" composer since the genre began. listening to to this and any other orb work is like diving beneath the ice shelves of antarctica... a fascinating and exotic trip. check out the twist on "barbie girl"! the insipid pop hit is transformed into a contemplative masterpiece of chill. also must vigorously recommend Dr Alex Paterson's Voyage Into Paradise.

You know how an Orb album is like in that you don't know how it's going to be but somehow you know it'll be weird . Basically this doesn't disappoint and is one for the major Orb fan while it should please newcomers .

Enjoy