Chosen Words: O is for Orbs

Fat Roland's A-Z guide to the most important words or phrases in electronica and their associated "facts"

Orbs and things which are circular are surprisingly common in electronic music.

The Orb started the globular thing when they formed in the 1980s. Their name suggested something new-agey and modern.

Orbital ran with the circular theme, with their talk of loops (or "loopz") and their sampling of Opus III's It's A Fine Day (her with the impressive orb control from Top Of The Pops).

Impressive pendulums have also included William Orbit, Cosmic Baby's Loops Of Infinity, the logo for Warp Records, 'Loops Of Fury', the name Biosphere - the circular theme goes round and round throughout history.

In electronic music, you'd do well to harness the wonders of the ball shape: of planets, of atoms, of pills, of records, of mother earth, of huge ever-growing pulsating brains.

Which doesn't for one moment explain Squarepusher, the contrary git.

Top five musicians with the roundest heads:

- Phil from Orbital
- Brian Eno
- Cee-Lo
- basically, anyone bald
- not Squarepusher

For more Chosen Words, click the tag at the bottom of this post.