Like many folks, I was deeply saddened by the sudden passing of Mr. Orbit back in July. Growing up, he was one of the very first English “name” remixers that bridged the divides of many different musical scenes and styles – his remixes and early productions were a continual source of groovy amazement, and his work was highly influential in making me want to get it together and attempt some groovily amazing noises of my own.

So the best way for us to pay tribute is, of course, with a mixtape, and it’s turned into quite a mighty one, as there’s way too many favourites that just couldn’t be left out, and although some tracks have had a bit of an edit (of course!), many are unashamedly full-length for good reason – if anyone knew how to keep your attention over the length of an extended mix, wondering where the hell it was going to go next, it was this man.

It’s a very personal selection, mainly from around 1989-98, with a handful from both earlier and more recent times – Included are remixes of Brigid Boden, Camouflage, Caroline Lavelle, Depeche Mode, Dreadzone, 18 Wheeler, Etienne Daho, Fuzzy Logic, Kraftwerk, Madonna, Malcolm McLaren, Morgan King, Les Negresses Vertes, Nitzer Ebb, Prince, Rick Wright, Peter Gabriel, Pierre Henry & Michel Colombier, Propaganda, React 2 Rhythm, Les Rita Mitsouko, S’Express, Sarah McLachlan, The Shamen, Sven Väth, Wendy & Lisa, alongside his productions as Strange Cargo, Torch Song, Bassomatic, Spill and under his own name, and one single remix of his work by another artist, I’ll leave that for you to spot if you can.

You may know his work well, just a bit, or not at all, but we reckon you’ll enjoy the journey.

So long Mr. Orbit, and thanks for the mind-expanding grooves!

Eric K