RICHARD BROPHYreviews the techno music of the week...

Redshape

The Dance Paradox

Deslin ****

When mysterious producer Redshape appeared a few years back, one might have assumed, with his red plastic mask and secret identity, that he would become a techno novelty act such as Dr Lektroluv or Miss Kittin. It was soon apparent, though, that Redshape was a producer of substance, his raw, brooding releases bringing a welcome sense of drama to techno. More introspective than his singles, debut album Paradoxis wide- ranging: Garage GTsees Redshape cosy up to the low-slung Detroit house of Theo Parrish. Dead Space Mixrevisits the hypnotic bleeps of 1990s act Nexus 21, while Seduce Meand Rohrschach's Gameare eerie, cinematic soundscapes. There's no shortage of Redshape's trademark bassy techno – evident on the ominous pulses and glacial synths of Bound(Part 1 2) – but the album's broad set of influences means the listener gets a greater appreciation of the man behind the mask. www.delsin.org

Download tracks: Garage GT, Dead Space Mix, Rohrschach's Game