Somadrone

Depth of Field, Skinny Wolves Records****

When he isn't being an integral part of Irish cult favourites Redneck Manifesto, Neil O'Connor (aka Somadrone) cuts a path between Brian Eno, Steve Reich and Ryuichi Sakamoto. In place of RM's wonderfully invigorating drill-bit riffs, Somadrone (now based in San Francisco) has different textures by which to beguile listeners. What raises Depth of Fieldabove other albums of a similar sonic hue is O'Connor's intuitive sense of dynamics. Yes, the tracks ebb and flow like all good electronica should, but there's a multi-instrumental instinct at play that lends the likes of Providence, Desiring Machineand Deadlinea propulsiveness all of their own. If at times a tad too reverential ( Conversationsechoes Sakamoto and David Sylvian a bit too loudly), Depth of Fieldshowcases Somadrone's catchy minimalism to great effect. A pity if it were lost in the Christmas deluge. See iamsomadrone.com

Download tracks: Providence, Deadline