Thomas Fehlmann is an electronic producer and composer, perhaps best known for being a member of The Orb. Born in Switzerland, Fehlmann would become an influential man in the German electronic scene. He began experimenting with synthesizers in the late '70s, formed his first group, Palais Schaumburg, in 1979, and founded an electronic...More
Thomas Fehlmann is an electronic producer and composer, perhaps best known for being a member of The Orb. Born in Switzerland, Fehlmann would become an influential man in the German electronic scene. He began experimenting with synthesizers in the late '70s, formed his first group, Palais Schaumburg, in 1979, and founded an electronic label, Teutonic Beats, in 1988. Fehlmann helped to foster a relationship between the Berlin and Detroit music scenes by recording with artists on the Tresor record label under the moniker 3MB.
The Orb was formed in 1988 by Alex Paterson and KLF member Jimmy Cauty. Fehlmann started working with the group in 1990 and began recording with them in 1994. The Orb's combination of multiple samples, sound effects, and slower rhythms led to the creation of a new sound and genre called ambient house music. Their use of samples has been integral to the band's success as well as a source of dispute for other artists, notably the unauthorized use of a Rickie Lee Jones dialog sample and a Steve Reich musical sample on the 1990 single, "Little Fluffy Clouds." After establishing a reputation for their singles, remixes, and live shows The Orb released their first studio album in 1991, The Orb's Adventures Beyond the Ultraworld (Big Life). Their next album, U.F.Orb (Big Life), reached #1 on the British charts. The Orb's tenth and most recent studio album, Metallic Spheres, was released in October 2010 on Columbia and featured David Gilmore from Pink Floyd.
While working with The Orb, Fehlmann has also been a resident DJ at Gundrun Gut's Oceanclub in Berlin, recorded his own solo 12"s and LPs, and toured the world. In 2002, the Kompakt label released a collection of Fehlmann's 12"s and new tracks called Visions of Blah, followed by 2007's Honigpumpe. Fehlmann continues producing music and recording and touring with The Orb.
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