William Orbit was one of that elite echelon of music producers with an identifiable “sound” that can be recognised almost as soon as you hear it.

I think of Phil Spector, Dr Dre, Martin Hannett, Lee Perry, Brian Eno, Timbaland, Steve Albini, Daniel Lanois…Lots of different genres, but each of them with a distinct (and distinctive) USP they apply to their work at the mixing desk.

To that list should be added William Orbit.

His signature is a soundbed of bubbling beats surrounded by synthy swirls that instantly transport the listener to a Balearic beach bar. I imagine his downtempo productions appear on countless compilations with names like Chillout Mix and Ibiza Beach Beats. 

He worked with some of the best and biggest names in pop, co-writing and producing with Madonna (Beautiful Stranger), Blur (Tender), All Saints (Pure Shores) and Britney Spears (Alien).

Orbit – William Wainwright to use his given name – seemed to have a particular affinity for female vocalists, and they for him; especially Madonna, who first recruited him to produce her Ray Of Light album, and had him back for Music, the pair co-writing Beautiful Stranger, and MDNA.

As a remixer, he worked his magic on artists as diverse as Prince, Kraftwerk and Queen, Beverly Carlisle, The Cure and The Shamen, The Human League, U2 and Peter Gabriel, Robbie Williams and Beck; and far too many more to mention.

Then there is his neoclassical work, where he applied his signature sound to classical compositions on a pair of albums called Pieces In A Modern Style, including his best-selling adaptation of Barber’s Adagio For Strings.

He indulged his interests in other diverse styes of music, once again employing an ambient touch, on a series of solo albums titled Strange Fruit, from which this song is taken.

My favourites are his work with Beth Orton, with whom he co-wrote and produced her wonderful song She Cries Your Name and this number, Water From A Vine Leaf – a title that perfectly suits his production style.