Detroit Techno
The first techno style, made in Detroit with drum machines and futuristic synthesizer sounds.
History
Detroit techno began in the mid-1980s in the American city of Detroit s1. Three school friends, Juan Atkins, Derrick May and Kevin Saunderson, are usually named as its founders s2. They mixed the electronic sound of European records by Kraftwerk and Giorgio Moroder with funk and the new drum machines of the time s1. Atkins described the music as techno, a word borrowed from a book about future technology s2. His group Model 500 released 'No UFO's' in 1985 on his own label Metroplex s1. Derrick May, recording as Rhythim Is Rhythim, released 'Strings of Life' in 1987, a track with a famous piano line s1s3. Kevin Saunderson's group Inner City had a worldwide hit with 'Big Fun' in 1988 s1. The style spread to Britain and Germany and shaped almost all later techno s3. Detroit techno is often described as warm and melodic, even when the machines are cold s1.
Sound
- Drum machines with a steady, danceable beat
- Futuristic synthesizer melodies and chords
- Funk-style basslines played on keyboards
- A warm, soulful feeling under the machines
- Clean, sci-fi sound design
Key figures
- Juan Atkins — Producer and founder of Metroplex; member of Model 500
- Derrick May — Producer behind Rhythim Is Rhythim
- Kevin Saunderson — Producer and member of Inner City
- Eddie Fowlkes — Early Detroit DJ and producer
Labels
- Metroplex — Detroit , 1985
- Transmat — Detroit , 1986
- KMS — Detroit , 1987
Defining tracks
Connections
Came from: Electro , Funk and Boogie , Synth-Pop , Early Electronic
Led to: Dutch House , Progressive House , Tech House , Acid Techno , Ambient Techno , Berlin Techno , Bleep Techno , Dub Techno , Hard Techno , Hardgroove , Minimal Techno , Peak-Time Techno , Schranz , UK Techno
Sources
- Detroit techno — Wikipedia
- Techno — Wikipedia
- Techno Rebels: The Renegades of Electronic Funk — Billboard Books (1999)