#1 · 2018
A significant LP blending ambient, dub, and downtempo styles across 12 tracks, released on Cooking Vinyl.
12 tracksCooking Vinyl labelMultiple UK pressingsOriginal and limited editions
Artist page · 06/07/2026
The Orb
The Orb, founded in London in 1988 by Alex Paterson and Jimmy Cauty, is a British electronic group known for pioneering ambient house. Rooted in dub influences, their sound blends ambient, dub, and electronic styles.
5Albums on Vinyles.com
1061Discogs releases
670kLast.fm listeners
About
The Orb, Ambient pioneers from London shaping electronic landscapes since 1988.
Over 5 vinyl releases from 2018 to 2025, with limited editions prized by collectors.
The Orb emerged in the late 1980s as ambient dub DJs in London, inspired by 1970s and 1980s ambient and electronic musicians. Over time, they solidified their position within electronic music, despite various personnel changes. The group's lineup centers on Alex Paterson, working closely with producer Thomas Fehlmann, Martin "Youth" Glover, and Tim Bran. Their sonic style, often described as “trippy,” maintains elements of dub, ambient house, and electronic with frequent sci-fi themes.
The Orb’s catalog spans multiple vinyl releases from 2018 forward, including "No Sounds Are Out Of Bounds" (2018), "Abolition Of The Royal Familia" (2020), "Abolition Of The Royal Familia (Guillotine Mixes)" (2021), "Prism" (2023), and the forthcoming "Buddhist Hipsters" (2025).
Discography
The Orb — Discography
Studio albums, EPs and notable live records, from newest to oldest. Drag the timeline to browse.
Cooking Vinyl · 2025Buddhist Hipsters
Studio
Sony Music · 2023Metallic Spheres In Colour
Studio
Cooking Vinyl · 2023Prism
Studio
Cooking Vinyl · 2021Abolition Of The Royal Familia (Guillotine Mixes)
Studio
Cooking Vinyl · 2020Abolition Of The Royal Familia
Studio
Cooking Vinyl · 2018No Sounds Are Out Of Bounds
Studio
Live Here Now · 2017The Orb's Further Adventures Live 2016
Studio
Kompakt · 2016COW / Chill Out, World!
Studio
Kompakt · 2015Moonbuilding 2703 AD
Studio
LSD - Liquid Sound Design · 2015All Is Not Lost, But Where Is It?
Studio
Cooking Vinyl · 2013More Tales From The Orbservatory
Studio
Cooking Vinyl · 2012The Orbserver In The Star House
Studio
Malicious Damage · 2011C Batter C
Studio
Columbia · 2010Metallic Spheres
Studio
Malicious Damage · 2009Baghdad Batteries (Orbsessions Volume III)
Studio
Traffic Inc. · 2007The Dream
Studio
Kompakt · 2005Okie Dokie It's The Orb On Kompakt
Studio
Cooking Vinyl · 2004Bicycles & Tricycles
Studio
Island Records · 2001Cydonia
Studio
Island Records · 1997Orblivion
Studio
Island Records · 1995Orbus Terrarum
Studio
Island Records · 1994Pomme Fritz
Studio
Island Records · 1993Live 93
Studio
Big Life · 1992U.F.Orb
Studio
Big Life · 1991The Orb's Adventures Beyond The Ultraworld
Studio
Big Life · 1991Aubrey Mixes: The Ultraworld Excursions
Studio
Studio album
Live / EP
Playlist
Signature tracks
The tracks that sum up The Orb's career.
01
Little Fluffy Clouds
·
02
Earth (Gaia)
·
03
Perpetual Dawn
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04
Toxygene
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05
Back Side of the Moon
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06
Spanish Castles in Space
·
07
Toxygene - 7" Edit
·
08
Outlands
·
The essentials
The 3 The Orb albums you absolutely need
Our pick, validated by the editorial team.
#2 · 2023
Recent album featuring ambient house and dub influences with 9 tracks, available on several European pressings.
9 tracksCooking Vinyl labelEuropean original pressingAvailable in multiple press variants
#3 · 2025
Upcoming album with 10 ambient house tracks, featuring limited editions released by Cooking Vinyl in the UK.
10 tracksCooking Vinyl labelOriginal and limited editionsUK pressings
Go further
Artists similar to The Orb
Artists who share part of The Orb's musical DNA.
Collectors
For vinyl die-hards
The hidden side of the catalogue: rare pressings, sought-after matrices, Discogs values.
Market values (source: Discogs)
For each reference edition, these cards summarise the state of the global Discogs market. Market position places the average price of a copy between the observed min and max prices. Average price is the price seen for a mint-condition copy. Copies available counts listings currently for sale. Collectors who want it is the number of Discogs users who added it to their wantlist without owning it — a good signal of upcoming demand.
Buddhist Hipsters
Market position
i
Min price 21 €Max price 60 €
Average price
51,05 €
Only 38 copies for sale on Discogs
32 collectors want it (Discogs wantlist)
Prism
Market position
i
Min price 23 €Max price 25 €
Average price
24,00 €
Only 69 copies for sale on Discogs
59 collectors want it (Discogs wantlist)
No Sounds Are Out Of Bounds
Market position
i
Min price 12 €Max price 42 €
Average price
27,83 €
Only 78 copies for sale on Discogs
146 collectors want it (Discogs wantlist)
Metallic Spheres In Colour
Market position
i
Min price 13 €Max price 16 €
Average price
14,35 €
Only 120 copies for sale on Discogs
205 collectors want it (Discogs wantlist)
Abolition Of The Royal Familia (Guillotine Mixes)
Market position
i
Min price 18 €Max price 66 €
Average price
21,98 €
Only 52 copies for sale on Discogs
47 collectors want it (Discogs wantlist)
Abolition Of The Royal Familia
Market position
i
Min price 12 €Max price 12 €
Average price
11,59 €
Only 25 copies for sale on Discogs
87 collectors want it (Discogs wantlist)
Notable pressings & editions
Face B
Side B: the hidden stories of The Orb
Studio secrets, touring anecdotes and B-sides worth the whole album.
The Orb’s sound is distinguished by its trippy sonic textures, maintaining strong ties to dub and science-fiction themes.— Description of artistic style
01Origins
The Orb’s formation in London
The Orb was formed in 1988 by Alex Paterson and Jimmy Cauty, then a member of KLF, starting as ambient dub DJs in London, influenced by electronic acts like Brian Eno and Kraftwerk.
02Lineup
Alex Paterson’s enduring leadership
Founder and only permanent member, Alex Paterson continues The Orb with producer Thomas Fehlmann, plus Martin "Youth" Glover and Tim Bran, consolidating the sound since the group's start.
03Releases
"Buddhist Hipsters" expected in 2025
The Orb will release "Buddhist Hipsters" in 2025 through Cooking Vinyl, with several UK pressings including limited editions, continuing their ambient house legacy on vinyl.
04Vinyl Pressings
"No Sounds Are Out Of Bounds" vinyl variants
Released in 2018, "No Sounds Are Out Of Bounds" has at least five UK pressings, including limited editions on the Cooking Vinyl label, with varied price points between €12 and €42.
05Vinyl Pressings
"Prism" European original pressing
The 2023 album "Prism" was originally pressed on vinyl by Cooking Vinyl in Europe, with over 30 copies for sale around €23 and multiple repressings including test pressings and white label editions.
Records by The Orb
See all
FAQ
FAQ: The Orb on physical formats
The most common questions about pressings, reissues and limited editions.
Who founded The Orb and when?
The Orb was founded in 1988 in London by Alex Paterson and Jimmy Cauty, initially as ambient dub DJs.
What genres does The Orb’s music cover?
The Orb’s music spans ambient, dub, ambient house, and broader electronic styles.
Which The Orb vinyls are most sought after by collectors?
Collectors often seek original pressings and limited editions of "No Sounds Are Out Of Bounds", "Prism", and "Buddhist Hipsters" on Cooking Vinyl.
What makes The Orb’s sound distinctive?
The Orb is known for trippy sonic textures with influences from dub music and recurring science-fiction themes.
Are there any notable UK vinyl pressings of The Orb albums?
Yes, albums like "No Sounds Are Out Of Bounds" and "Buddhist Hipsters" have several UK vinyl pressings on Cooking Vinyl, including limited editions.
How long is The Orb’s album "Prism"?
"Prism" contains 9 tracks with total runtime around 59 minutes, blending ambient house and dub sounds.
Where can I find The Orb vinyls in France?
The Orb’s latest vinyl releases, including "Prism" and "No Sounds Are Out Of Bounds", are available through European distributors and stores, including France.
What is the role of Alex Paterson in The Orb?
Alex Paterson is the sole permanent member and leader, producing and steering the music style alongside partners Thomas Fehlmann, Martin "Youth" Glover, and Tim Bran.
Transparency
Sources & method
This page is compiled by the vinyles.com editorial team from public sources and our marketplace.
Our method
- Discographic data from MusicBrainz (dates, countries, activity period).
- Tracklists, artwork and genres retrieved via Discogs Masters.
- Values (low / median / high) and stock from the Discogs Marketplace.
- Audience and similar artists via Last.fm.
- Page updated automatically and reviewed by the editorial team.
Last updated: 06/07/2026