Techno music originating from underground dance clubs of Detroit in the middle of 1980s has emergent as one of the largest genres of electronic dance music in the world. This article looks at some of the greatest techno songs that have ever been produced with some of the best tracks being recognized for their influence and lasting appeal to fans across the world.
Techno music or Techno as a dance genre has its roots deeply rooted in several cultures.
For anyone who wishes to appreciate the best techno songs, it profitable to go back to the history of techno music. Techno, stemmed from Detroit’s Michigan, during the period of Economic Restructuring which witnessed Ruin of Cities. In this context, a group of trailblazers of African American origin named Juan Atkins, Derrick May, and Kevin Sanderson popularly called the Belleville Three; started exploring electronic music fusing funk, electro, and futuristic concepts. Their creative work was mainly responsible for paving way for that what is today known as techno music.
The Early Innovators
The old Techno was characterized by tracks that were unique in their own way, which paved way for the TechNet’s future developments. Juan Atkins known as Cryotron owner or even the Godfather of Techno did a lot for shaping this new genre. This track, as well as future work as Model 500 encompassing the track “No UFOs”, laid the foundation for the growth of the genre that would come to be known as techno.
Outstanding value which fits this purpose
Further, another all-time classic originating with the early days of techno music are the track Stem cell/Strings of Life by Derrick May performing under the name Rhythm Is Rhythm on EBM 1987. It is one of the most celebrated tracks in the genre owing to the way it used soulful piano stabs coupled with driving rhythms that were not limited to the usual four walls of the dance floor. “Strings of Life” perfectly reflects what such kind of emotion is possible to convey with the help of techno that is why everybody, even the DJs still enjoys this piece.
Techno and its Culmination in Europe
Even though the Detroit was the stronghold of techno from which it started to spread across the world, it was received to a great extent in European countries such as Germany, France, and England. The Detroit pioneers set the basis for what over the following years European producers would develop in their own cultural context thus defining the sound of Techno in the 90’s.
The Berlin Sound
TechNet’s identity was fully embodied and enshrined in Berlin, especially after reunification, and the subsequent tearing down of the Berlin Wall in 1989. Techno music is at the core of the city’s night club scene and this can be attributed to the reunification of the city. During this period the original Berlin sound began to manifest itself in a string of recognizable tracks.
”The Bells” composed by Jeff Mills
Jeff Mills an American DJ and producer was influential to the evolution of the Berlin techno scene. But if one song defines him, it’s “The Bells” released in 1996 which is a cool example of minimalistic, aggressive beats and enchanting tune. Hypnotic at its best the track used melodic aggression for structuring an intense mood that has made the track a permanent feature in techno sets for more than three decades. While O’Hara’s work is undoubtedly setting and song, “The Bells” is much more than that— it is a symbol of the essence of techno culture.
“Acid Tracks” by Purer
However, other cities within Europe were also playing their part in the evolution of Techno music while Berlin was cutting its style. Old styles that evolved in Chicago as well impacted the techno in Europe with the help of the acid house. That EP collectively entitled “Acid Tracks” released in 1987 by Purer can be well referred to as the creators of the ultimately Europeanizing acid sound. The powerful and squelching bass line created by the Roland TB-303 became one of the record’s signatures and led to the creation of a whole subgenre of so called acid techno which is present even today.
The Frankfurt Scene
Some producers from this region came up with tracks that were harder and more aggressive and these were to shape the progress of techno in future.
3 Phase the song “Clang der Family” Dr. Mote
The track credited to 3 Phase featuring Dr. Mote and titled ‘Clang der Family’, came out in 1992 and remains characteristic of early Frankfurt techno, principally due to its high-sustainability factor, which promised to keep audience moving to pure techno. Likely to do with the fact that rave culture was in full swing throughout Europe at that time, the track is filled with pulsating rhythms and eerie, repetitive melodies. In a few years it will certainly remain one of high caring shining examples of the epoch, embodying the spirit and joy of the techno people.
Techno, as it charged into the twenty-first century, however, refused to be pigeonholed or to remain stagnant, continuously generating new subgenres and fresh styles of the genre to develop new boundaries for techno and what it can entail. The last decade has seen the owners of the genre developing and widening, and now producers from all over the world are involved in the creation of the historical genre.
The Minimal Techno Movement
At the beginning of the new millennium, minimal techno has become the leading subgenre of techno music. This style was characterized by bare drums, slight variations, and a tamed down, mellow theme. Some of the scientists such as Richie Haw tin in his project Plastikman, became the precursors of this movement.
“Swastika” by Plastikman
‘Swastika,’ published in 1993, really became one of the most popular hits of Richie Haw tin under the pseudonym of Plastikman and even can be referred to as minimal techno music. It is a monotonous repetition of the non-stop beats, absence of which is melody, but the music is endowed with lots of variation. “Swastika” is a perfect instance of minimalism, which in this case means that most of the things are left unsaid, and the crucial thing is groove and energy of the dance floor.
Techno within Festivals
Or, as techno enjoyed increased popularity, it also became affiliated with the emerging worldwide festival culture. Such festivals as Movement in Detroit, Awakenings in Amsterdam, and Time Warp in Mannheim became the reference points for fans of techno music, as the stars of this genre launched their new creations there.
“Rave” by Sam Paganini
Another track that has been preferred as a festival anthem is “Rave” produced by Sam Paganini which was recently released in 2014. This tune is a combination of the drum and bass music with elements of electro house, where the beat is fast and the synth hooks are very easy to memorize which makes it ideal for concerts. “Rave” captures the essence of what makes techno so compelling: which is largely based on the ability of productions to mobilize and elicit emotions of a large audience.
The Future of Techno
Techno keeps progressing and at the same time stays tied down to its origins giving listeners true meaning of progressive music. With new artists coming up into the industry, it is evident that they are innovativeness introducing new and unique features in music as they respect the fore fathers.
The Globalization of Techno
It should be noted that TechNet’s influence has not limited to Detroit and Europe only. Today techno music is popular around the world and one can speak about techno scenes in South America, Asia and in Africa. This globalization has added new flavors to the culture of the techno genre by including new tracks that are a representation of the diverseness of people in the techno world.
“Bicep” by Bicep
Bicep is an electronic two-piece from Belfast and are part of a new wave of Techno artists. Their 2017 self-titled album especially their song “Glue” is a techno song with the influence of both house and break beat, making it sound like music we listened to in the past but at the same time new. Bicep’s approach to techno is emblematic of the genre’s future: a combination of trends that pays respect to tradition but at the same time has aspirations to the future.
Conclusion
The best of all techno songs cannot just be regarded as songs, but it is a track that is historical in the evolution of electronic music. These songs have set the roots and built the path of development towards contemporary electronic music from the first roots of Detroit to the modern EDM festival tracks. These tracks will always remain timeless as the technology music keeps on developing but they help the genre to develop by offering inspiration from the past. Regardless of whether the reader is compatriot or neophyte, it is crucial to reinvestigate these songs if one is to fully appreciate techno music’s potency to seduce.
