William Orbit, the British record producer and composer whose glossy electronic textures helped shape pop records by Madonna, All Saints and other artists, has died aged 69.

Orbit (born William Martin) was best known for his work on Madonna’s 1998 album Ray of Light, which revitalised her career and won critical acclaim for its fusion of electronica and pop. He also produced hits for the girl group All Saints and worked with a wide range of artists across several decades, bringing layered synths, shimmering atmospheres and a meticulous approach to sound design.

Throughout his career Orbit balanced commercial success with experimental projects, releasing solo albums and soundtracks that highlighted his interest in ambient and electronic music. He was celebrated for his role in bringing club and electronic textures into mainstream pop production in the 1990s and 2000s.

Colleagues and collaborators praised his ear for arrangement and his ability to translate avant-garde electronic ideas into accessible songs. Tributes following his death noted the influence of his production techniques on contemporary pop and electronic music.

Details of the cause of death and surviving family members were not disclosed in initial reports.