After working with Madonna, U2, Blur, Robbie Williams and Britney Spears, William Orbit’s career went on hold after battling with drugs and his confidence. The joy of painting and a beginner’s guide to Pro Tools got his mojo back and now he is about to release his first new album in eight years

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After collaborating on her album in 2010, Katie Melua and Orbit join forces again on Duende

Orbit says he and Beth Orton, “always clicked and there are so many things I love about working with her”

William Orbit has produced and collaborated with some of the biggest names in pop including Madonna, U2, Blur, Pink, Robbie and Britney to name but a very few. He’s won countless awards and sold millions of records, not to mention becoming a leading figure in the electronic music scene with releases including his incredible Strange Cargoseries and his classical reinterpretation album Pieces InAModern Style. But as mighty as all of these achievements have undoubtedly been, it’s the parts of his life that link all of these peaks together that are perhaps more incredible.

There were the times in the ‘70s where Orbit became a “seasoned squatter”, and busked his way around Europe. In the ‘80s his first band Torch Sing were signed to Miles (Stuart’s dad) Copeland’s IRS Records – the first life changer. With the proceeds of that, he created Guerrilla Studios where he honed his production skills with the likes of The Cocteau Twins, Erasure, Gary Numan and, yes, Ricky Gervais. Then there was his first hit single: not an ambient electronic masterpiece, rather Harry Enfield’s Loadsamoney (Doin’ Up The House). His single with Bassomatic, Fascinating Rhythm, was much cooler, as were his remixes – he reworked Radio-Activity by Kraftwerk while the band’s legendary Ralf Hütter was in the studio with him.

This all led to Orbit’s successful solo career and production work on era-defining records – Madonna’s arguably greatest album, Ray Of Light, and Blur’s 13 – and collaborations with Beck, No Doubt, Ricky Martin, Queen, All Saints and many more.

But just when some would consider retirement, Orbit’s life took an unexpected dark turn. He developed a serious drug habit in his early 60s, to the point of developing psychosis; during one episode he believed he would be assassinated by the Church of England and that he worked for the royal family. Luckily, a spell in rehab cleared his mind but by this time, and after a series of less well-received releases, he had lost his confidence and the will to work with anyone, nor release any new music.