Minimal Techno
A stripped-back techno style that uses only a few sounds and repeats them in small changes.
History
Minimal techno grew out of Detroit techno in the early 1990s s1. Producers removed extra sounds and kept only what was needed for the groove s1. Robert Hood's album 'Minimal Nation' (1994) gave the style its name and showed how powerful a few elements could be s2. Richie Hawtin, recording as Plastikman, released 'Spastik' in 1993, a track built on one repeating drum figure s1. Jeff Mills's 'The Bells' (1996) was another track that used very few sounds and became famous s1. The style is often linked with the city of Detroit and with the nearby Canadian city of Windsor, where Hawtin lived s1. It influenced microhouse, minimal house and much of the techno that followed s1. Later producers pushed the idea even further, using almost no melody at all s2. The style is often played by DJs who mix three or four records at once. It influenced many later forms of techno and house music s3.
Sound
- Very few sounds used at once
- Short, repeated drum and bass loops
- Small changes over a long time
- A dry, clean production
- A hypnotic, machine-like feel
Key figures
- Robert Hood — Detroit producer behind 'Minimal Nation'
- Richie Hawtin (Plastikman) — Producer who made 'Spastik'
- Jeff Mills — Detroit producer behind 'The Bells'
- Daniel Bell — Detroit producer known for minimal tracks
Labels
- Axis Records — Detroit , 1992
- Plus 8 — Windsor , 1990
- Purpose Maker — Detroit , 1996
Defining tracks
Connections
Came from: Detroit Techno , Acid Techno
Led to: Microhouse , Minimal House , Rominimal , Hypnotic Techno , Melodic House and Techno
Sources
- Minimal techno — Wikipedia
- Robert Hood — Wikipedia
- Techno Rebels: The Renegades of Electronic Funk — Billboard Books (1999)