100 Favourite Techno Classics

Submitted by sljiva on Sun, 11/18/2007 - 05:19
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  1. Techno is the greatest music ever. I think that's a fair description. Now, the list:
  3. Plastikman - Plasticine
  4. Released on: Sheet One / Plus 8 / 1993
  5. Although Sheet One is conceived as a concept album, it's impossible not to notice a couple of tracks that stand out from the rest. Plasticine definitely stands out the most, not only with me, but probably with many, many others. It's probably my favourite track from the whole Richie's career. The master, using a minimalist approach, succeeded to create one monster of the track adeptly adding small doses of acid on the beautiful and entrancing main structure of the track. As someone on discogs said: "This is the closest music can get to drugs". And to perfection, I would add.
  6. Galaxy 2 Galaxy - Hi-Tech Jazz (The Science)
  7. Released on: Galaxy 2 Galaxy / Underground Resistance / 1993
  8. Warm, beautiful and jazzy track from one of the staples of Detroit's second wave - Mike Banks (the main figure behind Underground Resistance and social commentator who fought against commercialization of dance music). Mike incorporated music of his idols into his own style of techno, and got a track that represents what Detroit is all about. Simply breathtaking tune.
  9. Rhythim Is Rhythim - Strings Of Life
  10. Released on: Strings Of Life / Transmat / 1987
  11. Ah, these strings... I know if I play this track, I'll spend the rest of that day humming the main melody. So, take that strings, add a beautiful piano work and you're getting an instant classic, and one of the most recognizable techno tunes ever. Only if the kick is constant through the whole track...
  12. Model 500 - No UFO's (Inst)
  13. Released on: No UFO's / Metroplex / 1985
  14. Another first wave classic. Unlike May's organic style, Juan Atkins here presents the pure synthetic side of techno. SF elements are inherent as always (which is Juan's trademark), this time the theme is UFO's. Everything about this track is great: it's dark, futuristic, full of strange and unexpected sounds. The best example that techno evolved from electro.
  15. Sterac - Asphyx
  16. Released on: Asphyx / 100% Pure / 1995
  17. Steve Rachmad created an outstanding second record for the Dutch label 100% Pure. Second track of the EP, breaksy Darkness In My Life is a fantastic atmospheric journey enhanced with some really subtle acid work. First track, however, is even bigger masterpiece with incredibly unique atmosphere and fat bassline that dominates the track. Steve said in one interview that label wrongly pressed the sides, so the first track on the A side is actually X-Tracks, not Asphyx. However most people talk about Asphyx when commenting that first track on the A side, so I put Asphyx on the list, not X-Tracks.
  18. Rhythim Is Rhythim - Nude Photo
  19. Released on: Nude Photo / Transmat / 1987
  20. Derrick May really knew how to make a hit, and the best proof for that is his Rhythim Is Rhythim alias and his releases under that alias on his own Transmat label. Nude Photo is actually his first release under that moniker, and just a little weaker track than Strings. However, this track is equally beautiful (especially the sample of girl smiling) and some people even prefer it over Strings. The only bad thing is that annoying pauses are present again (but fortunately only at the end).
  21. Carl Craig - Wrap Me In Its Arms (Inst.)
  22. Released on: VA - Equinox Chapter One / Retroactive / 1990
  23. The hardest-to-find track on the list. While some other classics are repressed couple of times, released on every other compilation or featured in numerous dj sets, this track is so obscure that it appeared only on one compilation. Which is a shame (well, not for me since I have that compilation), because it's a wonderful track which deserves to be heard by everyone. However, there is a New Age Pimp Mix released on No More Words EP, but it's a vocal version that doesn't come close to this instrumental beauty.
  24. The Aztec Mystic - Jaguar
  25. Released on: Knights Of The Jaguar EP / Underground Resistance / 1999
  26. Warm, but dark track with unforgettable melody and equally memorable strings that build a climax in the middle and at the end of the track. There was a controversy about licensing this track. Sony wanted to license it and release it with some trance remixes to earn loads of money on something that isn't even theirs. However, that was against everything UR stood for, so the guys, leaded with Mike Banks and Rolando stayed true to themselves and knocked off the bastards. At the end Sony released promo version of Jaguar rip-off, but after lot of criticism from the techno community, they decided not to commercially release it.
  27. 3 Phase Featuring Dr. Motte - Der Klang Der Familie
  28. Released on: Der Klang Der Familie / Tresor / 1992
  29. One of the first releases on legendary Berlin based label that caused the techno boom in Europe. Fantastic uptempo track with a memorable riff. Mike Dierickx aka Push later used that riff (he slowed it down a bit) for creating his Universal Nation.
  30. AFX - VBS.Redlof.B
  31. Released on: Analord 11 / Rephlex / 2005
  32. For a long time, I refused to add this track to the list just because of one reason: it's too new - therefore it shouldn't be considered classic. However, since my goal is to make a list of the best techno tracks (and not the best pre-2000) tracks, I finally decided to add it (with a couple of more post-2000 tracks). And this tune is definitely one of the best new techno pieces. Seems like Rich listened to a lot of µ-Ziq early stuff, because this tune sounds exactly like some dancey stuff from Tango N' Vectif and Bluff Limbo: impressive thick bassline is coupled with analogue icy synths, 90's IDM effects and barely hearable kick. Massive and highly recommended.
  33. Jeff Mills - The Bells
  34. Released on: Kat Moda EP / Purpose Maker / 1997
  35. Even though Jeff is better known for his mixing skills (he used to mix up to 70 records in one hour), he also produced a couple of classics, and a lot of "almost classics". The Bells, is one of those classics, and probably his most famous work. Hard, almost industrial sound interlaces with main, funky melody and creates a perfect rush of energy that's ideal for the conclusion of every techno party.
  36. Plastikman - Spastik
  37. Released on: Spastik / NovaMute / 1993
  38. This is the track that converted a lot of unbelievers to techno, and one of the first tracks that Richie released under his world-renowned moniker Plastikman. It's interesting that the whole track was created with just one instrument - TR-808. Richie succeeded to force that 808 to sound like a woodpecker on speed, who's pecking the wood in some weird, but at the same time proper rhythm. Unforgettable sound, one of the most original ever invented.
  39. Joey Beltram - Energy Flash
  40. Released on: Beltram Vol. 1 / R&S Records / 1990
  41. Simple, but astounding track with a great bassline, and some absurdly elemental 303 work.
  42. Choice - Acid Eiffel
  43. Released on: Paris EP / Fnac Music Dance Division / 1993
  44. Long, deep and emotional track from Laurent Garnier, Shazz and Ludovic Navarre (St Germain). Almost 14 minutes of microscopic changes and subtle 303 work will really delight you, but only if you listen from beginning to end.
  45. Robert Hood - Minus
  46. Released on: Internal Empire / Tresor / 1994
  47. Minimal techno is more often "less is less", than "less is more", but this track is simply amazing and for me the essential minimal techno tune.
  48. 3MB - Die Kosmischen Kuriere (Magic Juan Mix)
  49. Released on: 3MB Feat. Magic Juan Atkins / Tresor / 1993
  50. Melodic, spacey themed beauty with a gorgeous, out of this world atmosphere. This track is often overshadowed by Jazz Is The Teacher, the A-side of the record (which i don't like at all), but it's undisputable that the real classic is this, B-side. And it's no wonder, considering who was involved in the process of making: Godfather himself Juan Atkins, Thomas Fehlmann (from The Orb) and Moritz von Oswald (the man behind Maurizio, Basic Channel and Rhythm & Sound).
  51. The Black Dog - Cost II
  52. Released on: Cost II / General Production Recordings / 1993
  53. Somewhat typical (really low bpm and lots of unusual effects for techno at that time), but at the same time magnificent UK "intelligent techno" track from the early 90's, when that type of techno just started to evolve towards what is now known as IDM.
  54. Suburban Knight - Midnite Sunshine
  55. Released on: VA - Dark Energy / Underground Resistance / 1994
  56. Another long and entrancing track that's pretty hard-to-get, but the search will pay off, because this beauty will charm you right after the first listen.
  57. Underground Resistance - The Punisher
  58. Released on: The Punisher / Underground Resistance / 1991
  59. Fast and agressive track that sounds similar to Sonic Destroyer, track that was released by the same outfit (but under the X-101 moniker) couple of months before The Punisher. Although The Punisher was the name of Mike Banks' racing car, I would say that Jeff Mills was the one to blame for the sound of this track.
  60. Vainqueur - Lyot (Original Mix)
  61. Released on: Lyot / Maurizio / 1992
  62. Repetitive and percussion rich track that develops really slow and quite effective. Most people prefer Maurizio's remix, but the Original is the one for me.
  63. DBX - Losing Control (Carl Craig Remix)
  64. Released on: Losing Control (Remixes) / Peacefrog / 1994
  65. This is the track that got the all star remix treatment. Great original by minimal techno pioneer Daniel Bell was remixed by Carl Craig, Robert Hood and Richie Hawtin, all on one record. The best job was done by Carl, who turned this minimal track to a monster that just reeks with energy.
  66. Laurent Garnier - Wake Up
  67. Released on: A Bout De Souffle EP / Fnac Music Dance Division / 1993
  68. The real (acid) journey (unlike most other tracks on the list). Wake Up is Laurent's best known work, and with a good reason, since the atmosphere created here is impossible to outmatch.
  69. Speedy J - Evolution
  70. Released on: Evolution EP / Plus 8 / 1991
  71. Jochem Paap aka Speedy J started his career with simple tracks that didn't have some great value (Wicked Saw, Minimal, Spectrum), so this Evolution is not just a title, it's a real evolution and further development of his music, which will culminate on Ginger, album that even Warp licenced for its Artificial Intelligence series. Track itself sounds intelligent and progressive, but at the same time hard and uncompromising.
  72. Second Phase - Mentasm
  73. Released on: Mentasm / R&S Records / 1991
  74. Rhythim Is Rhythim - Icon
  75. Released on: Icon/Kao-Tic Harmony / Transmat / 1991/1996
  76. Heartbreaking Detroit classic with 4 minute long emotional ambient intro (which is very uncommon in techno) and astounding percussion work. The track was made in 1991, started to appear in sets and compilations about a year later and finally officially released in 1996.
  77. System 7 - Alpha Wave (Plastikman Acid House Mix)
  78. Released on: Alpha Wave / Butterfly / 1995
  79. Mindblowing acid trip, almost 20 minutes long. The track is so intense that it immediately grabs your attention, and doesn't let go until the end. It just keeps building and building... Masterpiece!
  80. Basic Channel - Phylyps Trak
  81. Released on: Phylyps Trak / Basic Channel / 1993
  82. Model 500 - Off To Battle
  83. Released on: Sound Of Stereo/Off To Battle / Metroplex / 1987
  84. Planetary Assault Systems - Booster
  85. Released on: Planetary Funk Vol. 4 / Peacefrog / 1994
  86. Rhythim Is Rhythim - The Dance (Living Room Mix)
  87. Released on: Nude Photo / Transmat / 1987
  88. Speedy J - Krekc
  89. Released on: Krekc / NovaMute / 2001
  90. While the name of the track sounds like something Umek would contrive, the sound is definitely Speedy J. But Public Energy and Electric Deluxe Speedy J, not Detroit influenced Speedy J from the early 90's. Restless beat, sharp stabs and wonderful samples of a plane taking off. Fantastic.
  91. The Aztec Mystic - Aguila (The Fix Mix)
  92. Released on: Aguila / Underground Resistance / 2003
  93. Rolando aka The Aztec Mystic demonstrates that he's not the one-hit-wonder with Aguila, deep latin-influenced beauty which somewhat reminds of Jaguar with its powerful bassline, warm atmosphere and tense string parts.
  94. Ron Trent - Altered States (Original Full Length Mix)
  95. Released on: Altered States / Warehouse / 1990
  96. Orbital - Chime
  97. Released on: Chime/Deeper / Oh'Zone / 1989
  98. Underground Resistance - The Theory
  99. Released on: VA - Equinox Chapter One / Retroactive / 1990
  100. Another Detroit classic that was originally released on very influental Equinox Chapter One compilation. The track has a harsh, almost evil sound that is frequently interrupted by a man and a woman talking about something (probably some theories).
  101. CJ Bolland - Camargue
  102. Released on: The 4th Sign / R&S Records / 1992
  103. Brother From Another Planet - Planet Earth
  104. Released on: Planet Earth/Trance Missions / 7th City / 1992
  105. X-101 - Sonic Destroyer
  106. Released on: Sonic Destroyer / Underground Resistance / 1991
  107. Phobia - Phobia
  108. Released on: Phobia / Rising High / 1991
  109. LFO - LFO (The Leeds Warehouse Mix)
  110. Released on: LFO / Warp / 1990
  111. 246 - Go Up
  112. Released on: Vol. 1 / Reel Musiq / 1995
  113. Behind this mysterious number stands Japanese electronic music legend Susumu Yokota, best-known by his early techno stuff on influental German label Harthouse. Mr. Yokota was obviously very inspired by Plastikman's stuff, since the TR-808 sounds magnificent in this track and completely steals all the attention.
  114. F.U.S.E. - F.U.2 (Re-edit)
  115. Released on: Substance Abuse / Plus 8 / 1991
  116. Code 6 - C.O.D.E.S.
  117. Released on: Second Chapter / Nu Groove / 1991
  118. Apotheosis - O Fortuna (Apocalypse Chorus Mix)
  119. Released on: O Fortuna / Indisc / 1991
  120. Robert Armani - Circus Bells (Hardfloor Remix)
  121. Released on: The Remixes / Djax-Up-Beats / 1993
  122. Laurent Garnier - Breathless
  123. Released on: A Bout De Souffle EP / Fnac Music Dance Division / 1991
  124. Gaiden - Point Blank (Speedy J Remix)
  125. Released on: Point Blank / Music Man / 2001
  126. Robert Hood - Rhythm
  127. Released on: Minimal Nation EP / Axis / 1994
  128. Mental Mayhem - Joey's Riot
  129. Released on: Where Are They Hiding/Joey's Riot / Atmosphere / 1990
  130. One of the finest tracks from small, but stellar Atmosphere label. It's amazing how Joey (Beltram) was able to create such simple tracks that sounded so great.
  131. Ignacio - Virton (Chris Liebing Remix)
  132. Released on: Virton / Music Man / 2001
  133. Kenny Larkin - Integration
  134. Released on: Integration / Plus 8 / 1991
  135. Slam - Positive Education
  136. Released on: Positive Education / Soma Quality / 1993
  137. Laurent Garnier - The Man With The Red Face
  138. Released on: The Man With The Red Face / F Communications / 2000
  139. Laurent Garnier had an ability to make both hard and sharp (Crispy Bacon) and sophisticated (Wake Up) techno. The Man With The Red Face, with its smooth pads, deep bass and jazzy vibe definitely falls in this second category.
  140. The Martian - Star Dancer
  141. Released on: Cosmic Movement/Star Dancer / Red Planet / 1993
  142. The Mackenzie - No Promises
  143. Released on: Freak Out / USA Import Music / 1990
  144. Luke Slater - Inductive Channels
  145. Released on: X-Tront Vol. 1 / Peacefrog / 1992
  146. Sven Väth - Scorpio's Movement
  147. Released on: Fusion/Scorpio's Movement / Virgin / 1997
  148. Neal Howard - Indulge (Club House Mix)
  149. Released on: Indulge / Network / 1990
  150. Jeff Mills - The Extremist
  151. Released on: Waveform Transmission Vol. 3 / Tresor / 1994
  152. Luke Slater - X-Tront
  153. Released on: X-Tront Vol. 1 / Peacefrog / 1992
  154. Trance Induction - Technolo
  155. Released on: Organic Floppy Disco / Djax-Up-Beats / 1992
  156. Fix - Flash
  157. Released on: Flash / KMS / 1992
  158. Air Of Gloom - Meditation (Astro Mix)
  159. Released on: Meditation / Beat Box International / 1991
  160. Laurent Garnier - Crispy Bacon (Original Mix)
  161. Released on: Crispy Bacon (Part 1) / F Communications / 1997
  162. Monolake - Cyan I
  163. Released on: Cyan / Chain Reaction / 1996
  164. Terrace - Bewitched
  165. Released on: In-Motion / Djax-Up-Beats / 1991
  166. Planetary Assault Systems - In From The Night
  167. Released on: Planetary Funk Vol. 1 / Peacefrog / 1993
  168. Speedy J - Rise
  169. Released on: Rise / Plus 8 / 1991
  170. There's even better track on this record called De-Orbit, but I didn't want to include it on the list (since it's not pure techno), so I'm adding just a little weaker Rise, track which best shows just how much Jochem Paap was influenced by Detroit techno.
  171. The Project - Do That Dance
  172. Released on: Do That Dance / R&S Records / 1990
  173. Andrew McLauchlan - Love Story (Re-Edit)
  174. Released on: Love Story / Bush / 2000
  175. Second Phase - Mind To Mind
  176. Released on: Mentasm / R&S Records / 1991
  177. F.U.S.E. - Confusion (Dub)
  178. Released on: Substance Abuse / Plus 8 / 1991
  179. Model 500 - The Chase (Mayday's Version)
  180. Released on: The Chase / Metroplex / 1989
  181. Sonic Solution - Get On The Move (Mix 1)
  182. Released on: Beat Time/Get On The Move / R&S Records / 1991
  183. Dave Angel - Mesmerize
  184. Released on: 1st Voyage / R&S Records / 1991
  185. Terrace - In-Motion
  186. Released on: In-Motion / Djax-Up-Beats / 1991
  187. F.U.S.E. - Substance Abuse
  188. Released on: Substance Abuse / Plus 8 / 1991
  189. Secret Cinema - Timeless Altitude (Original Version)
  190. Released on: Timeless Altitude / Music Man / 1994
  191. Musicology - Fear Of Expression
  192. Released on: Musicology / B12 / 1991
  193. Musicology was one of the many side projects of B12 guys, and also the first release on their own label B12. Fear Of Expression is one of the bast examples of British ability to interpret Detroit techno in their own way.
  194. Equitek - Skywalker
  195. Released on: Stylus Flight / R&S Records / 1992
  196. The Pump Panel - Ego Acid
  197. Released on: Ego Acid / Synewave London / 1994
  198. Dave Clarke - Wisdom To The Wise
  199. Released on: Red 2 / Bush / 1994
  200. Dave Clarke took Basic Channel's dubby sound and added his recognizable hard techno kick to it. Result - harder than Basic Channel stuff and more trippy than everything else Clarke has done.
  201. Hardfloor - Confuss
  202. Released on: Funalogue / Harthouse / 1994
  203. Dave Angel - Take-Off
  204. Released on: In Flight Entertainment / Blunted / 1994
  205. Surgeon - Magneze
  206. Released on: Magneze / Downwards / 1995
  207. Redcell - Interim
  208. Released on: Interim Outerim / B12 / 1993
  209. Another hit from B12 crew, this time under the Redcell moniker. Deep, spiritual and still very influenced by Detroit sound.
  210. Psyche - Crack Down
  211. Released on: Crack Down / Transmat / 1989
  212. F.U.S.E. - Approach & Identify
  213. Released on: Approach & Identify / Plus 8 / 1990
  214. Voodoo Child - Voodoo Child (Contracted)
  215. Released on: Voodoo Child / Instinct / 1991
  216. Neil Landstrumm - Swing/Jerk
  217. Released on: M Cap EP / Peacefrog / 1995
  218. Kenny Larkin - Rubbernotes (Stretch Mix)
  219. Released on: We Shall Overcome / Plus 8 / 1990
  220. Rejuvination - Phaze 2
  221. Released on: Phaze 2 / Music Man / 1996
  222. Aril Brikha - Groove La' Chord
  223. Released on: Art Of Vengeance EP / Fragile / 1998
  224. Christian Smith & John Selway - Weather (Planetary Assault Systems Mix #1)
  225. Released on: Weather: The Planetary Assault Systems Mixes / Primate / 2002
  226. Deep and dubby techno from Luke Slater, one of the hardest working producers in the industry.
  227. Dave Clarke - Thunder
  228. Released on: Red Three / Deconstruction / 1995
  229. Rhythim Is Rhythim - It Is What It Is (Majestic Mix)
  230. Released on: It Is What It Is / Transmat / 1988
  231. Scan-7 - Black Moon Rising
  232. Released on: Black Moon Rising / Underground Resistance / 1993
  233. Dave Angel - 1st Symphony
  234. Released on: New Orchestrations EP / Fnac Music Dance Division / 1993
  235. Neil Landstrumm - Ringbinder
  236. Released on: M Cap EP / Peacefrog / 1995
  237. Final Exposure - Vortex
  238. Released on: Vortex / Plus 8 / 1991
  239. Model 500 - Ocean To Ocean (Global Mix)
  240. Released on: Ocean To Ocean / Metroplex / 1990
  241. Infiniti - Game One
  242. Released on: Game One/Think Quick / Metroplex / 1994
  243. Kenny Larkin - We Shall Overcome (Richie's Loonie Mix)
  244. Released on: We Shall Overcome / Plus 8 / 1990
  245. The Project - Do That Dance
  246. Released on: Do That Dance / R&S Records / 1990
  247. Emmanuel Top - Replay
  248. Released on: Asteroid / NovaMute / 1996
  249. Digital Vamp - You Can Take My Body (Vamp Dance Mix)
  250. Released on: You Can Take My Body / R&S Records / 1989
  251. The Mackenzie - Freak Out
  252. Released on: Freak Out / USA Import Music / 1990
  253. DK - Murder Was The Bass (Reworked)
  254. Released on: Murder Was The Bass / DK Records / 2003
  255. Richie Hawtin - Untitled (A1)
  256. Released on: Minus Orange / M_nus / 1999
  257. Model 500 - Play It Cool (Instrumental)
  258. Released on: Play It Cool / Metroplex / 1986
  259. Tres Demented - Demented (Or Just Crazy)
  260. Released on: Demented / Planet E / 2003
  261. Dark Comedy - War Of The Worlds (Epic Mix)
  262. Released on: Corbomite Maneuver EP / Transmat / 1992
  263. GTO - Listen To The Rhythm Flow (Trance Machine Mix)
  264. Released on: Listen To The Rhythm Flow / React / 1991
  265. Aphrohead - In The Dark We Live (Dave Clarke's 312 Mix)
  266. Released on: In The Dark We Live (Thee Lite) / Bush / 1993
  267. Esser'ay - Forces (Carl Craig's Mix)
  268. Released on: Forces / KMS / 1994
neptune11/18/2007

Wow, this is an awesome list, the first proper one of techno too on listology, well done!

AsColdAsIce11/18/2007

Groovy list, I've been meaning to get into techno for a while now. Thanks.

Trinithis11/19/2007

I don't have much techno, so I'm psyched. Thanks for posting this.

neptune01/14/2008

Hey, I agree with your introduction completely (:
Here are some suggestions of songs that merit (IMO) high places;

Air Liquide - Stratus Static
Air Liquide - This is Not A Mind Trap
Pump Panel - Ego Acid
Punk Floyd - Can't Breathe
Spicelab - Cold Chillin'
Solar Quest - Acid Air Raid

And if count some minimal as techno...

Ricardo villalobos - Que Belle Epoque 2006
Ame - Rej
Moonbeam - Eclipse

sljiva01/16/2008

I'm definitely adding something by Air Liquide, just not sure what atm (those tracks you suggested are good, but they've done even better).
Pump Panel is a great track, I have it on some compilation and I'll probably add it when I find a full version.
I haven't heard that Punk Floyd track, and the rest is not techno.
Thanks for the recs!

neptune01/16/2008

What would you classify Spicelab - Cold Chillin' as?

sljiva01/17/2008

Well it's hard to categorize Spicelab stuff, but I'd say it's trance. It's hard and experimental (even Oliver calls it experimental trance), but it's definitely trance.

neptune01/17/2008

Yeah, I see why that'd be the case, it was just that it has a very techno-ey edge to it. Also, definitely check out Punk Floyd - Can't Breathe if you can, it's a very good techno song.

neptune02/19/2008

Hey sljiva, as you have Mentasm (which has some roots in rave/hardcore) in your list, would you accept others that sound similar like...

C.J. Bolland - Horsepower
Program 2 - Twister
Mental Mayhem - Joey's Riot

neptune03/02/2008

How about

System 7 - Alphawave (Plastikman Mix)

It may be 19 minutes but it's textbook techno and it's really good.

sljiva03/08/2008

Thanks, those were some great suggestions. I've added Joey's Riot and Alpha Wave. Haven't heard that Twister track...
Also, I've always wanted to add something from Ravesignal series, but I have yet to hear Ravesignal 1. When I do, I'll add something from it (probably Horsepower or Wonderland (from RS 2)).

neptune03/09/2008

I've never heard Wonderland is it as good as Horsepower? If so I gotta get it soon!
Program 2 - Twister is similar conceptually in many ways to Beltram - Energy Flash, an elemental experience with subtle changes and an ominous sound, probably the best track from them I've heard. I've been searching for Program 2 - The Trip for months now and I still can't find it, have you got it? It's classified in Ishkur as Euro Techno and it sounds amazing but it seems incredibly rare.
Also another rec is
Mike Dred - Macrocosm
It's an awesome track on In Order To Dance 5 (R&S) , one of my new favs.

sljiva03/16/2008

Yes, Wonderland is very good. It doesn't sound as outdated as other tracks from Ravesignal II. It has that characteristic R&S sound from the beginning of the 90's (trancey sound, slow bpm, simple but effective chorus, minimalistic 303 work...). It's also similar to Energy Flash.

Unfortunately I don't have anything from Program 2.

Also, I'm about to relisten to the whole In Order To Dance series, so I'll be back with some feedback (I know some tracks will definitely end up on the list).

DjPewi03/27/2008

Dude you really have to check out Tone Exploitation by the Night Tripper and Hardfloors other biggie - acperience (or something like that). Top list tho, well done.

proper job04/05/2008

hi, just wondering if you could help me. I heard a few samples of techno music on beatport and they took me completely by surprise by not being incredibly hard or industrial as i had always assumed techno was like.

Anyways, i was wondering if you could give me some recomendations of techno tracks/artists/albums to ease me into the genre as im intersted now in what real techno is like.

I only ask you because it seems you know what you are talking about and lots of people on listology also know what they are on about with their trance lists etc and if i asked anywhere else i would be getting responces like "sandstorm is the best techno song EVER" or heaven forbid "You after techno, try cascada, she is AMAZING" (shudders)

Anything you can give me will be great,

Thanks

sljiva04/06/2008

DjPewi: Tone Exploitation is good, I'm going to add it. Acperience is also good, but I've already put it on my other list.

proper job: Everything here is good (otherwise it wouldn't be here). Try to get something from the list

proper job04/09/2008

hey, downloaded a few off your list and i really liked them. I was surpried how much of ur list I could find on itunes. I downloaded....

Galaxy 2 Galaxy- Hi-Tech Jazz
Laurent Garnier- Man With the Red Face (i actually had already heard this one before)
Jeff Mills- The Bells
C.J Bolland- Camargue
Dave Clarke- Thunder

They are all quite different (i think!!) and with the excption of Thunder, very musical if that makes sense? :-s
I have got soulseek now so i will download more off your list.

Is techno still going strong now or has it so say "died" like trance?

I put "died" for trance because i still think there is some good stuff being made and its not dead, just evolved.

Anyways, this is not about trance, i was just wondering bout techno......

sljiva04/10/2008

Yeah, you download quite a versatile bunch of tracks. Almost every one of them represents a different style within a genre.
Hi-Tech Jazz is a typical Detroit techno track (from the times when techno was still influenced by jazz, soul, funk...) and it contains typical Detroit elements: deep and warm atmosphere, smooth pads, strings, jazzy instruments and samples (in this case sax)... If you want similar music check out Carl Craig, Derrick May, Eddie "Flashin" Fowlkes, James Pennington, Juan Atkins and Kenny Larkin.
The Man With The Red Face is very similar, Detroit techno track (also with strong jazz influence) made by a non-Detroit producer in times when the impact of Detroit techno sound on European producers kinda diminished. The Bells is again Detroit techno track, but with strong industrial and German hard techno influence. Camargue is a typical European techno track from the early 90's. If you liked it I have just one recommendation for you: R&S. You'll find loads of stuff similar to it there, for example Rob Leiner (Source (Experience)) was making beautiful techno/trance similar to Camargue in the first half of the 90's there. Thunder is indeed different from the rest. It's probably not the most musically interesting track out there, but it will definitely rock the dancefloor like no other. I would even call it (together with Krekc) the perfect dancefloor tune.

Techno in general is far from dead. It's obviously not as interesting as it was in the 90's, but what genre is? Maybe you've already seen that Echospace's album The Coldest Season was one of my favourite albums from the last year. It's beautiful minimal dub techno album that everyone should hear, and I heartily recommend it. Substance & Vainqueur, another dub techno act were also good in 2007. Also, The Black Dog's new album (released last month) is great, although it's not pure techno. Some other producers who are superb lately: Pantha Du Prince, Samuel L. Session, Joris Voorn, Kiko, Stephan Bodzin & Oliver Huntemann... BTW, check out new Fabric compilation, mixed by Rob Hood for some other good artists and tracks.

proper job05/24/2008

hey, i finally bought Fabric 39: Rob Hood.

All i can say is its very good indeed (or to me it sounds good, i havent really listened to enough Techno to make judgements!) Thanks for pointing that one out! Also its got some housey tracks on there that are similar in sound/formula to those released 1995-2000 (kinda laid back but pushing forwards at the same time....its kinda hard to explain :-s) I have been looking for new house like that for a while because most house that you hear 2day is just like a pop song except with a strong 4/4 beat on it.....not as happy, fun (thats it...it sounds fun like house should be!).

Fabric often gets vote Best Club in the UK i think and everyone seems to think its amazing so i dont know why i havent checked them out earlier.

Its soulseek the best place to get those R&S tracks (and others) becasue Camargue was the only one iTunes had from R&S????

Nights Of The Jaguar...i think thats its name, sory if i got i wrong is also very good and like you say builds into that great climax of the track.

Just out of interest, now i have discovered that good house is not dead, are there any albums (Fabric?) with more tracks like that on???

sljiva05/29/2008

No problem. Hood's Fabric is amazing, most of the stuff on it is either minimal techno (but real minimal techno, not the shit that is labeled today as minimal) or tech house. You're probably looking for tech house. I can help, but you have to tell me some tracks you liked.

Yeah, Fabric compilations are usually great. If you want, check out Digweed's Fabric 20. You'll probably find some house tracks similar to those you're looking for on it.

Don't know about Soulseek, I usually go there when I can't find a certain tune anywhere else. Maybe it has some rare tracks, but they are usually low quality, transcoded...

Jaguar is the name of the track, Knights Of The Jaguar is the name of the EP. You're not the first one who confound the two. If you liked it and want some more warm latin detroit techno check out Los Hermanos project.

Good house is not definitely not dead. New Balance (13) mixed by SOS contains some fantastic prog/deep/tech house and it's even more versatile than Hood's Fabric since it pretty much covers all styles of EDM on 3 discs.
BTW, Global Underground, Fabric and Balance are the only series that worth something these days, so if you see that new instalment of either of them is released don't think too much - just get it.

proper job05/31/2008

Its kinda from track 6-9 but the one that really caught my attention was Robert Hoods own track: "The Greatest Dancer"

It sounds like it could have come form any of the first Annuals released by Ministry of Sound (i.e 1-4) before they went into cheese fest!

I will have a look for Digweeds Fabric....i have been meaning to get some of his stuff Post Northern Exposure....i have two remixes by him...one of Chakra's "I Am" and of his own tracks under Bedrock i think :-s "Set In Stone" both progressive Trance i guess that are very good IMO....but then again i havent listened to too much of his stuff.....although i have got his "Choice" classics album under Azuli Lable which although nothing im looking for has some stuff right back to 1980 but thats a completely different type of music back then.

Anyways,

I dont use soulseek that much noew cos it messes up my comps internet so i usually look on iTunes/Beatport as they seem to have quite a lot.

8-S ooops....yeah, i realised i mixed those up after i posted...very confusing indeed! I will have a look at Los Hermanos Project......

I will keep my eyes open for those albums/series...once again i have been meaning to get some of those Global Underground albums.....

Its deffinately re-assuring to know that EDM is not dead as you would expect seeing some of the rubbish released today!

If you dont mind me asking.....how did you get into EDM??? im just curious as im from a family that like nothing like it at all so i have no idea why i fell in love (if thats not too cheesy!) with it so much.

Oh yeah, one last thing... have you heard a track called Slam by Azure or the otherway round.... it was on the TV the other day and it seemed rather too good to be on music telly channel!!! Im not sure if it was "Techno" but it sounded quite "Minimal" It may have been trance because there was a clear breakdown in it......

sljiva05/31/2008

Hmmm, 6-9? Quite multifarious styles there. Lenzi's Taboo and Voorn's Fever are actually techno tracks. Taboo is more on the tribal side and Fever on deep side of things. I think you're looking for house similar to Bust The Vibes, which is a (techy) funky house track. Hood's own The Greatest Dancer is very similar, but it's a techno track that uses a sample of an old disco track called He's The Greatest Dancer by Sister Sledge to achieve that funkiness. You can find house of similar style on Sébastien Léger - Planets and on the second disc of the newest GU (mixed by Felix Da Housecat).

Hehe, electronic music (especially dance) is a music of younger generation. It's not odd that older people (well, at least older than 40) don't like it since they didn't grow up on it. So parents who like EDM are still very rare. And those who like it usually care only for old artists like Kraftwerk, Tangerine Dream, Jean-Michel Jarre... I got into EDM with The Prodigy around 1996 (Firestarter, Breathe), and my parents also don't like EDM, if that comforts you.

And yeah, I've heard Azure. I think I even have it on my top 2007 list. It lays somewhere between techno and tech house (like pretty much every Slam track), but that main synth melody gives it a trance feel so I've heard people calling it neo trance or nu trance, but I think it's just techno/tech house. All in all, pretty nice track.

proper job06/02/2008

Sorry, i listened to tracks 6-9 on some crappy headfones and they sounded very different when i played them on some better speakers :-s Yeah, so only Hoods own track...which as you say has a sample from an old disco track which would explain why it sounds like things from 15 years ago! Once again, i will have a look at those balbums and artists when i have a chance....about 2days now when my exams are over...yay!

Prehaps my parents wernt the best example (actually now i think if it my mum can bare some of the older more commercial stuff, house mainly) But i mean no one in my school year likes it...or likes good stuff...there are a few that have been brainwashed by Cascada, Special D and the likes....so they dont count! If you ever feel like you need to watch something so cringe worthy you just want to die in embarrassment look up "Clubland Live (tours)" on you tube.....words trully cannot describe it!

Well the Prodigy is a much better starter than me.....i started with some Scooter/Flip&Fill/Angel City tracks from old (2001-2004) NOW compilations (shudders) just about the only thing that doesnt completely make me hate them.

I was basically just checking about Azure becasue its not a track (as in style) you normally hear on a "EDM" music channel. On iTunes they have 2 tracks in the single: Part1 and Part2 do you know if one is better then the other???

neptune06/28/2008

How about Dave Clarke - Wisdom To The Wise ?

sljiva07/12/2008

Very nice, don't know how I overlooked it...

proper job08/04/2008

hey man....just something quick...Just seen someone wrote this on YouTube: "Sandstorm is like the base of every techno song. it's kinda like the heart of techno"

Couldnt stop laughing for about 10 mins....needless to say i explained to them how this couldnt be possible

sljiva08/09/2008

Probably some kid who just started to listen to EDM. You really shouldn't bother replying since internet is full of newbies (or idiots) like that who don't deserve your attention.

proper job08/24/2008

Yeah...I have given up trying to tell newbies and the mis-informed why this and that aint techno...i made a video to do if for me! Thats i sign of too much time on my hands this summer!

I finally got round to getting a few more albums...picked up Slam's, Adam Beyer's and Digweed's Fabric Mixes that im enjoying...dunno if you have heard any of them? Not exactly pure techno...there is quite a bit of tech-house I think :-s Actually, Beyer's is pretty much all techno.

sljiva08/29/2008

Only Digweed's (and that was quite some time ago), but it's still my favourite Fabric (and one of my favourite compilations in general).

karan12909/08/2008

I finally downloaded some of the tracks from this list. I did like some of them, but I'd say that techno is not my thing. I guess that after listening to all that goa/psy, its difficult to get the same level of stimulation from anything else =p

Plastikman - Plasticine
Perfection in acid, nothing less.
Galaxy 2 Galaxy - Hi-Tech Science
This track grew on me with repeat listens, as you said its warm and beautiful. It was also an eye-opener. I had no idea techno could produce such warm tracks.
Sterac - Asphyx
This track really does grab one's attention with those panning synths. However I liked "Darkness in My Life" better. It was just more intense overall.
Aztec Mystic - Jaguar
Liked this more than the rest except for Plasticine. Haunting melody =]
3 Phase feat. Dr. Motte - Der Klang Der Familie
Interesting track, with layers complementing each other well. I got the feeling that the artists were aiming for a certain, rather futuristic effect.
Laurent Garnier - Wake Up
Trippy acid, so of course I like it! Very hypnotic.

To be frank I didn't take to these tracks, many were too repetitive and minimalistic for my tastes.
Rhythim is Rhythim - Strings of Life
Model 500 - No UFOs (inst.)
Rhythim is Rhythim - Nude Photo
Choice - Acid Eiffel - Way too minimalistic for me. The rhythm is fine, but changing ever so slightly over the course of 14 minutes. And in lending that warmth, the symphonic layer seems to be doing more work than the TB 303.
System 7 - Alpha Wave (Plastikman Acid House Mix) - thought it'd be good trip, unfortunately it suffered a fate identical to Acid Eiffel, too repetitive. For a good acid trip I like something like Moonweed - Telepath (Celtic 008), but then that's trance.
Jeff Mills - Bells - too repetitive
Pump Panel - Ego Acid - nice beat, but again repetitive!
Laurent Garnier - Crispy Bacon - just boring

Thanks for making this list, it really introduced me to techno. Previously I thought techno had a lot more bass and a lot less melody. There is a particular brand of techno I like, and it doesn't seem to be represented in the tracks downloaded from your list. I've uploaded these tracks, and I do like them. They can be downloaded here . They might not be pure techno though. If you have any suggestions similar to these tracks it would be nice =]

One last thing, where do you get your techno from? Soulseek is great for trance, not so much for techno.

sljiva09/10/2008

Techno was quite melodic in the beginnings (Detroit techno), later when adopted by Germans and British it lost a lot of its melodicness, although some producers continued to release highly melodic techno (mainly US and Dutch producers).

That tracks you posted are not techno, it's some kind of downtempo music (some heavily influenced by psy). You can find similar stuff on pretty much every "chill out" compilation out there.

I get most of my music from friends (real and virtual), private bt sites, dc++ and some even from Soulseek.

karan12909/10/2008

Umm...I guess I have my techno all mixed up then, and I need to get more off your list. Still hoping to find a type of techno that strikes a chord.

Thanks a lot for taking the bother to hear those tracks =] Is techno always repetitive, atleast more so than trance? It does seem to be far subtler and minimalistic for sure.

karan12909/10/2008

I found a techno track I love!! Second Phase - Mentasm. Would it be wrong to call it acid-ish? I know its hoover but its trippy? The track sounds like its breaking free of all bounds and just letting go! Played it 10 times in a row! =p

sljiva09/11/2008

It does sound like it's breaking free of all bounds, however I wouldn't call it acid-ish (since it doesn't contain any acid) or trippy (it's fairly simple and too rough to be trippy). I would say it's hard and devastating, maybe even a little stupid (but in a good way). It's actually the first track that employed a hoover sound, the sound that was exploited in every other hardcore tune since 1991. If you liked it try some harder stuff from Speedy J.

As you can see, techno can sound anyway it wants. It can be melodic (Detroit techno), electro bleepy (LFO, Unique 3, Neal Howard), hard and mindless (Beltram, Speedy J), acidic (Hawtin, Air Liquide), dubby (Basic Channel, Deepchord), minimal (DBX, Rob Hood), experimental (B12, Kirk Degiorgio), mellow (Biosphere, David Morley), trancey (Der Dritte Raum. Alter Ego), deep (John Beltran).... It doesn't always have to be repetitive, but it's usually more repetitive than trance. Sometimes even more trippy, which is pretty ironic.

karan12909/14/2008

Yeah, techno does seem to have more styles and much more mainstream appeal than trance. I'll try all those types and see what I like. Btw I thought Mind to Mind was good too, but in a very different way from Mentasm, more nuanced.

Sometimes even more trippy
Thats the type I'm looking for =p

sljiva09/14/2008

Yeah, techno does seem to have more styles and much more mainstream appeal than trance.

I would agree with the first, but definitely not with the second statement. The only time techno had more mainstream appeal was in times when trance didn't even exist, prior to 1990, and even then it wasn't too popular (house was always the most popular genre of EDM).

Btw I thought Mind to Mind was good too, but in a very different way from Mentasm, more nuanced.

Definitely. Mind To Mind is much deeper and thought-provoking track than Mentasm. Unfortunately it was released at the same time as Mentasm (even on the same vinyl) and will always remain in its shadow.

For trippy and entrancing techno check out Basic Channel and its sublabels: Chain Reaction and Maurizio. From newer labels try Scion Versions, Fortune8 and Modern Love. And try to get a track called Soultek - Dreaming Under A Starlit Sky. Maybe this will sound cheesy, but that track singlehandedly changed the way I see dub techno.

karan12909/17/2008

If you don't mind me asking a basic question, what exactly does dub mean? The net says its reggae with bass emphasised instead of vocals, so how does that apply to electronic music? I would have downloaded some dub tracks and tried to figure it but I don't know where to start, and have a huge listening backlog as it is.

sljiva09/19/2008

It's not that hard to recognize dub elements in techno. Just download one pure techno track (fe. Joey Beltram - Energy Flash), then one dub techno track (Basic Channel - Phylyps Trak) and then one pure dub track (Dub Syndicate - Echomania). You'll notice that Phylyps Trak (unlike Energy Flash) contains that deep, windy and echoey synth washes that can also be found in Echomania. Basically, dub techno = deep minimal techno + lots of reverb, echo, tape delay and emphasis on the bass. It's all about creating a deep and trippy atmosphere and evolving a sound through microchanges of all elements.

karan12902/08/2009

In trying to understand techno, I was thinking of how to define it, and along with reading this post, I realised there isn't any way to do so, is there? Trance and other genres have a more or less recognisable sound, but techno is more like what doesn't fit in them. It does run the entire gamut of sounds.

sljiva02/12/2009

Can't really see what you're trying to accomplish by stuffing a 25 year old, huge and outspread genre such as techno into a couple of sentence definition. If you think that will help you to understand the music better, you're wrong. Only, and I really mean the only way to understand the music is to listen to it. Forget about reading and discussing, the only thing that matters is how that music makes you feel and what ideas, images and concepts of sound you're getting from it.

Some definitions of course do exist, such as "techno is mostly instrumental, 4/4 music originated in Detroit which employs futuristic themes and is oriented on percussion and rhythm more than on anything else", but pretty much every one of them is very questionable and liable to various interpretations. The bottom line is: you can't perfectly describe a music with words. You can to some degree but more often that description will be inaccurate, ridiculous and completely useless to someone else.

karan12902/19/2009

I do listen to a fair amount of music, but its going to take me forever to listen to any meaningful amount of electronic music, which is why I tried defining it.

I'm definitely going to listen to this entire list and more but its going to take awhile.

drephallik06/10/2009

A bit of luck that i found this post. Found some of the tracks on Beatport, thanks!

Its a bit of effort making that list, so i thought ill make a little contribution.

One track everybody should try to get is:
Club Heroes "Dum Dum" Green Velvet Mix, it should be on the list :)
download here:
http://www.nioldskool.co.uk/forum/index.php?showtopic=47925
///click on "click"

In no particiluar order, heres some suggestions of decent techno from the past:

PAPERCLIP PEOPLE - 4 MY PEEPZ (carl craig)
ALEXI DELANO - SLAM THAT BASS BABY (svek records, i think)
LFO versus F.U.S.E. - LOOP
SLEEZY D - IVE LOST CONTROL
WISHMOUNTAIN - RADIO
TINY STARS - TOUCHING BASS
SILENT PHASE - THE REWIRED MIXES, transmat
FREAKS - MINDLESS FUNK
PIECE - FREE YOUR MIND
TEKNOTIKA - VEN A MI and INTERVIEW WITH AN ALIEN
UNDERGROUND RESISTANCE - ELECTRONIC WARFARE
I CUBE - DISCO CUBISM - DAFT PUNK REMIX

About genres, above is what i call oldskooltechno, under is a normal housetrack.
RUSS GABRIEL - ALIGATOR VOODOO - ORIGINAL MIX

And some newer techno, might call some of them MINIMAL, but that is a subgenre of techno:
HENRIK SCHWARZ - JIMNIS
MATHEW JOHNSON - MARIONETTE
HEIKO LAUX - MOVED - VILLALOBOS EDIT

Anyway - dont put too much effort in the genre-thing, if you can hear the diffrence between country and indie, you will hear the diffrence beetween trance and techno..

and some links:
http://www.discogs.com ''' if you want information, about almost everything of EDM
http://www.junodownload.com/ ''' online EDM store, same as beatport.com
http://www.dancetracksdigital.com/
http://www.chymera.org/ (a few mixes to download, check him at beatport too.) More melodictypeoftechno

enigmazach09/28/2009

I am very much impressed with this list. You've got basically all the essentials right here.

karan12903/23/2011

Have you heard Kraftwelt - Electric Dimension?