Orbital
Diversions

THE REVIEW

A final and definitive journey through the worlds of techno, acid-house, and trance before entering what I like to call the "intellectual phase" of the Hartnolls: this is how "Diversions" is presented in 1994, a decidedly interesting EP that is closely related to the famous "Orbital 2", better known as the "Brown Album", released just a year earlier.

From then on, Orbital would begin producing electronic music with a more lucid and detached approach, producing their most interesting works in terms of the coexistence of different genres ("Snivilisation") and the almost exaggerated complexity of the arrangements ("In Sides"): they definitively abandon the instinct and overwhelming rhythms of the first two records, in exchange for a more reflective and elitist approach. This EP, released shortly before "Snivilisation", rekindles for one last time the most fiery and aggressive soul of the London duo: it is not a collection of original pieces, but simply alternative versions (I wouldn't dare call them mere remixes) of the tracks from the "Brown Album". Diversions begins with "Impact (The Earth Is Burning)" in an extended version, managing to even surpass the already excellent original: the bassline becomes more "liquid" and gives new youth to the track, which in the second half explodes into a surprising beat, unfortunately left off-stage in "Orbital 2".

The next track, with the enigmatic title "Lush 3 (Euro Tunnel Disaster '94)", is more multifaceted than ever, it has very little to do with the original "Lush" but mixes within itself fragments of "Remind" and "Walk Now...", the result? A spectacular 15-minute suite where Paul and Phil Hartnoll's trademark fully manifests itself. Within the EP, "Lush" enjoys three other versions, forming an attempt at continuity with the pairing present on the 1993 record: "3-5" has a more acidic touch that enhances its trance component, "3-4" is a chillout relaxation that would go perfectly alongside the famous "Halcyon+On+On", and finally "3-3", produced by Underworld, wouldn’t look out of place within "dubnobasswithmyheadman", the debut album for Karl Hyde's band. Is something missing? Yes, but it’s nothing substantial: "Semi Detached" is a simple alternation of typically orbital sounds that between one loop and another do not create a true melody: nonetheless, an interesting testament to understand the genesis of the "Brown Album".

Therefore, "Diversions" truly deserves a special mention within the Hartnolls' discography: it is a short and effective work, ideal for approaching the sounds and rhythms of the band, but it can’t be absent from the collection of the fan who wants to re-experience the style that made the duo from Sevenoaks famous: if you love the "Brown Album" it is mathematically assured that "Diversions" will not easily bore you, happy listening!