Octave One

Detroit techno’s twin poles of mind-bending futurism and roof-raising melodicism come together in Octave One. The group is a family affair, with brothers Lenny and Lawrence Burden occasionally assisted by siblings Lynell, Lorne and Lance. After starting out as a DJ collective in the late ‘80s, Octave One made their debut on Transmat with the 1990 single “I Believe”, a coproduction with fellow Motor City techno pioneer Anthony “Shake” Shakir; the track’s inclusion on 1990’s Techno 2: The Next Generation compilation alongside artists like Carl Craig and Juan Atkins helped launch the group's international career. Octave One’s catalogue includes 1998’s dark, pumping album The Collective and lighter, more ebullient singles like 2021’s “Whatever She Wants”, but their signature song remains “Blackwater”, a deliriously melodic peak-time anthem featuring an unforgettable sing-song hook from Ann Saunderson. It was an instant hit upon release in 2000, and it has remained a staple of techno-loving dance floors ever since.