Robert Gordon's influence on the sound and direction of U.K. techno and electronica is hardly suggested by his discography, which includes only a handful of EPs and a single full-length. Among the first to combine the techno sound of Detroit with more pronounced electro, new wave, and techno-pop influences, Gordon releases under such names as XON, Unique 3, Sector, and (the most recognizable of the bunch) Forgemasters are generally considered the ground zero of the U.K. bleep and intelligent techno styles now associated with artists such as Richard Kirk and LFO. A native of Sheffield, Gordon was the founder of Warp Records, through which he released his debut (along with Shaun Maher and Winston Hazel) as Forgemasters, "Track with No Name," in 1992. He was a contributor to Unique 3's now-legendary "The Theme" (although he was not credited), and Gordon-related releases have appeared on such labels as FON, Network, and David Moufang's Source imprint. Source released his only solo full-length to date, Projects, in 1996, and a full-length collaboration with Pete Namlook, Ozoona, also appeared on the latter's Fax label that same year. The bulk of Gordon's most recognizable work, however, has been for other artists, and his production discography includes Pop Will Eat Itself, Cabaret Voltaire, DJ Mink, Yazz, the Human League, and Stacey Q, among many others. ~ Sean Cooper, Rovi