The Orb prep new LP and tour ft Roger Eno, Jah Wobble, more (listen to "Pervitin")
The Orb will release their 17th album, Abolition of the Royal Familia, on March 27 via Cooking Vinyl. Main man Alex Patterson made it with Michael Rendall, who began as a member of the live band and is now a full-on collaborator, and the record also features appearances from Youth, ambient great (and brother of Brian) Roger Eno, Steve Hillage & Miquette Giraudy from Gong/System 7, and On U-Sound’s David Harrow. As for the title, the band’s PR says the record is “in part inspired by and in retrospective protest of the royal family’s historical endorsement of the East India Company’s opium trade, which was hugely damaging to India and caused two wars with China in the 18th and 19th centuries.” You can listen to the billowing “Pervitin,” a classic piece of Orb ambience, below.
Roger Eno will be part of The Orb’s live band in 2020, as will dub great and frequent collaborator Jah Wobble. Their spring UK dates also feature support from Mad Professor, plus an opening DJ set from the great Don Letts. Bring this to North America, please! All dates, which include an appearance at London’s All Points East festival, are listed below.
Tracklist:
‘Daze’ – Missing & Messed Up Mix
‘House of Narcotics’ – Opium Wars Mix
‘Hawk Kings’ – Oseberg Buddhas Buttonhole
‘Honey Moonies’ – Brain Washed at Area 49 Mix
‘Pervitin’ – Empire Culling & The Hemlock Stone Version
‘Afros, Afghans and Angels’ – Helgö Treasure Chest
‘Shape Shifters (in two parts)’ – Coffee & Ghost Train Mix
‘Say Cheese’ – Siberian Tiger Cookie Mix
‘Ital Orb’ – Too Blessed To Be Stressed Mix
‘The Queen of Hearts’ – Princess Of Clubs Mix
‘The Weekend it Rained Forever’ – Oseberg Buddha Mix (The Ravens Have Left The Tower)
‘Slave Till U Die No Matter What U Buy’ – L’anse Aux Meadows Mi
The Orb – 2020 Tour Dates
Friday 22nd May: Leeds – Leeds Beckett student union, with support from Mad Professor (live) and Don Letts (DJ) tickets
Saturday 23rd May: Newcastle – Northumbria Institute, with support from Mad Professor (live) and Don Letts (DJ) tickets
Sunday 24th May: Glasgow – Barrowland Ballroom, with support from Mad Professor (live) and Don Letts (DJ) tickets
Wednesday 27th May: Birmingham – O2 Institute, with support from Mad Professor (live) and Don Letts (DJ) tickets
Thursday 28th May: Manchester – O2 Ritz, with support from Mad Professor (live) and Don Letts (DJ) tickets
Friday 29th May: London – All Points East tickets
Saturday 30th May: Bristol – SWX, with support from Mad Professor (live) and Don Letts (DJ) tickets
