The Orb Album: “Once More [#1]”

Orb, Bedrock, Danny Tenaglia, that's quite a three song line-up. The Orb's `Once More' is the track you're probably least interested in, and is the least interesting. What could have been a strong leftfield dance track has an annoying carnival synth squiggling all over the breakbeat and Japanese-inflected singing. It's certainly no Datar `B,' of whom the Da (Danny Tenaglia) tries his deft hand at the Orb's most recognized work, `Fluffy Little Clouds.' The eight minute Detour Mix features trademark tribal drums with dark flourishes gradually deteriorating into chaos near the finish. A clever diversion but no lightning in a bottle, certainly. The Bedrock take on `Once More'proves the keeper, fueled by strong rhythm and skittering echo hook; the instrumental version starred piece on Sasha and John Digweed's Communicate.

Bottom line, with only one top piece, this CD single aims solely for the Orb completist, and may be disappointing to listeners expecting magic from the big names.