Dr. Alex Paterson is a pioneering figure in ambient house and electronic music, best known as the founder and creative force behind The Orb. After working as a roadie for Killing Joke in the 1980s, Paterson became deeply influenced by the emerging Chicago house scene and joined the A&R department at E.G. Records. In 1988, he co-founded The Orb with Jimmy Cauty, blending acid house with ambient textures on early releases like "Tripping on Sunshine."
Following his split with Cauty in 1990, Paterson established The Orb as a singular artistic vision, steering the project away from its association with The KLF and toward a more distinctive sound. Throughout the 1990s, The Orb became synonymous with the ambient house movement, releasing a series of influential albums that showcased Paterson's ability to craft immersive, experimental electronic soundscapes. His work helped define the aesthetic of ambient techno and established The Orb as one of electronic music's most innovative acts.
