About The Forgemasters
Genre
Electronic
Forgemasters were among the earliest originators of the style of U.K. techno known as bleep, which combined elements of electro, techno, new wave, and Euro-pop into a heavily syncopated, highly synthetic mix of machine-born rhythms and electronics. The combined efforts of Sheffield's Robert Gordon, Winston Hazel, and Shaun Maher, the group's first single, "Track with No Name," carries the somewhat distinctive catalog number of WAP1 and was the first release on the now-agenda setting Warp label, which Gordon founded in 1992. The group released two subsequent EPs, one each on the Network ("Black Steel") and Hubba Bubba ("Quabala") labels before splitting in 1993. Gordon sold Warp that same year and went on to produce a number of big-name acts, including Human League, Pop Will Eat Itself, and Stacy Q. He has also released a number of singles on, among others, David Moufang's Source label, some of which were featured on his full-length debut, Projects, released in 1996. Forgemasters' Winston Hazel is currently a successful techno and drum'n'bass DJ and has released tracks on Sheffield labels such as Earth and Break Butt. ~ Sean Cooper
