The Orb

Made up of Alex Paterson and Jimmy Cauty at the time, The Orb put their mark on music founding the genre, ambient house. They both started out on the London scene, performing in various clubs. They came together in 1988, and started something that set them apart from the rest in their field, using experimental samples that were unrecognisable. They released the track “Tripping on Sunshine” on a German record compilation called “Eternity Project One”, followed by a project called “Kiss EP”. It featured sample from New York City’s KISS FM. They later landed a residency at Heaven, a nightclub in London. They would perform every Monday night, packing out the venue more and more. Eventually, they recorded a session for John Peel on BBC Radio 1. It featured a lot of experimental sounds. It was one of the longest singles to make he singles chart, peaking at number 78.

Due to musical differences, despite how far they had come, Cauty and Paterson went their separate ways, whilst Paterson maintained the title of The Orb. He started working with studio engineer Andy Falconer, and Kris “Thrash” Weston. Together they created the project, “The Orb’s Adventures Beyond the Ultraworld”, which is a two-house long masterpiece, containing some progressive composition. Two albums later, The Orb released a live album on Island Records entitled simply “Live 93”. Falconer had left the outfit to pursue other musical endeavours. The album went on to reach number 23 on the UK Album Chart. “Pomme Fritz”, released in 1994 might as well have been a solo album by Alex Paterson, reaching 6 on the UK charts, despite reviews claiming that it had lost its focus.

The Orb's next acclaimed album would be “Metallic Spheres”, which spent three weeks in the UK charts, making it to number 12. It was released on October 12th 2010. It was co-written by David Gilmour of Pink Floyd.

Before Carthy delved into his musical excursions he studied fine art at the Psalter Lane campus of Sheffield Hallam University and worked as a shelf stocker for his local branch of Kwik Save. The name Mr. Scruff derives from his ‘scruffy’ facial hair and appearance and his signature loose-lined drawing style. Carthy started DJing in 1994 initially to Manchester, UK audiences then nationwide who would go to hear his eclectic mixes of funk, soul and electro, and apt use of samples.

Around this time Mr. Scruff released his first 12” vinyl “Hocus Pocus” on the small Manchester label Robs Records and soon after the EP “Sea Mammal” which created a small around the artist. The releases set the scene for Carthy’s debut self-titled album which was released May 12, 1997 which along with “Sea Mammal” incorporated the DJ’s fondness for the sea and marine life. The DJ has also made a name for himself with his notorious all-night DJ sets with his genre-blurring style.

Mr. Scruff's two follow-up albums “Keep It Unreal” and “Trouser Jazz” were released on the bigger label Ninja Tune. “Keep It Unreal” features a variety of samples from wildlife narrator David Attenborough to T-Bone Walker’s “Hypin’ Woman Blues” and vocals from Roots Manuva. The DJ and music producer’s three subsequent albums “Ninja Tuna” (2008), “Bonus Bait” (2009) and “Friendly Bacteria” were all released on the label Ninja Tuna – a collaborative label of Mr. Scruff and Ninja Tune, and saw the DJ collaborate with a number of artists including Alice Russell, Agent K and Robert Ownes.

Carthy’s most recognisable hit “Get a Move On” has its sample roots in Moondog’s famously-brassy “Bird’s Lament” and has been used in commercials from Volvo to France Télécom and GEICO insurance. Mr. Scruff’s laundry list of popular singles and mixes speaks volumes to his quality and respect in the industry, and are almost as popular as Carthy’s own tea company affectionately named Make Us a Brew.