Velocette

Velocette is the nom de record of San Francisco-based ambient techno experimentalist Jason Williams. A member of noted techno producer Jonah Sharp's Reflective Records stable, Williams has released the bulk of his work through the label, including the full-length Sonorities by Starlight and a trio of singles. Wedding minimal, usually electro-derived beats with sparse, atmospheric electronics, Williams' work is as close in feel to '70s space music impressarios like Klaus Schulze and Edgar Froese as to contemporary innovators such as Sharp's Spacetime Continuum, Autechre, MLO, and Move D. Originally a cellist, Williams sold his first instrument to buy a sequencer after being introduced to electronic music through friends. His first EP, "Microcosmik," came out on Reflective in 1994, and was later featured on the celebrated Synoptics compilation. Following live performances at the German Love Parade, as well as at events in San Francisco and Los Angeles, Williams released the Clockwork EP before joining the album-length ranks with Sonorities by Starlight, which critics compared favorably with the likes of B12, Deep Space Network, and Atom Heart. Williams' work was also featured on the Headtravel CD-Plus released by Om Records in 1994. -- Sean Cooper