Steve O Sullivan - THREE TRAX - Rawax

Throughout his lengthy career, Steve O'Sullivan has proved adept at delivering "proper techno" tracks that are a cut above those of his contemporaries. This re-issued three-tracker for Rawax shows him doing just. A-side 'Off Message' sets the tone, with O'Sullivan layering deep space chords and gentle intergalactic melodies atop a tough-but-rubbery beat. The sweatier and sleazier 'Night Nurse' boasts fizzing, fill-happy drum machine percussion and deep space chords that recall the early years of Detroit techno, while 'Porcupine Grove' is a snappy, pitched-up romp rich in crunchy TR-909 beats, faintly foreboding background chords and tight melodic loops.