This all-but-forgotten group was nevertheless one of the best examples of the San Francisco sound - not the jazzy Mark Farina house that everyone always thinks of, but rather the "ravier", more underground side of S.F. (Alas, you don't really think of a distinctive sound when you think of S.F. anymore, at least I don't.)

Astral Matrix was a very dependable group that used the 303 very effectively with lots of reverb and dubby type effects over breakbeats as well as 4/4 909 rhythms. Another for the "where are they now" department. Their "Secret Broadcast" CD will be liked by anyone who likes to hear innovative, dubby uses of the "classic techno instruments" (909, 303, etc.) This particular CD was put out right around the time you could hear production styles changing - by 1998 it didn't seem like you heard too many straight up 909 percussion tracks anymore.

If you like this style also check out "The Ultraviolet Catastrophe".