The Best of 80s and 90s Techno Music

A look at the best of 80s and 90s Techno music and how it influenced the music of today.

Introduction

Techno music is a type of electronic dance music that originated in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Techno is characterized by a strong rhythm, often with repetitive sequences of simple, synthesized melodies and basslines. The music often has a dark or futuristic feeling.

The Birth of Techno

Techno music first originated in Detroit, Michigan in the 1980s. The first techno track was created by Juan Atkins, who is also considered the “godfather” of techno. Techno is a type of electronic dance music that is characterized by a repetitive 4/4 beat.

Detroit Techno

In the 1980s, Detroit techno was developed by a group of writers and producers who were either former disco musicians or lovers of the new electronic music coming out of Europe. New York and Chicago also had strong scenes at this time, but Detroit techno would come to be defined by its use of industrial sounds and deep basslines.

One of the most important innovators in Detroit techno was Juan Atkins, also known as Model 500. Atkins had been making music since the early 1980s, but his 1987 track “No UFOs” is often cited as the first true Detroit techno record. In the years that followed, Atkins’ label Metroplex would release some of the most important techno records ever made, including tracks by Derrick May and Eddie Fowlkes.

The popularity of Detroit techno spread quickly from its native city to the rest of the world in the late 1980s and early 1990s. This was in part due to the international success of early tracks like “No UFOs” and “Strings of Life,” but also because many European techno artists cite Detroit as a major influence on their own work. In 1993, British DJ Jeff Mills even moved to Detroit in order to be closer to the music he loved.

Chicago House

Chicago house is a style of house music originating from Chicago, Illinois in the 1980s. The first ever house track, ” On and On”, was produced by Jesse Saunders in 1984. Early house music was often characterized by repetitive 4/4 beats, syncopated basslines, and often, synthesized melodies. This style of house music was developed by DJs and producers from Chicago’s underground club culture in the mid-1980s, as DJ/producers such as Frankie Knuckles, Juan Atkins, Phuture (alias of Earl Smith III), and Mr. Fingers (alias of Larry Heard) created topical tracks which mixed various iconic Chicagosounding elements together.

The Golden Age of Techno

Techno music first gained popularity in the 1980s and 1990s. It is a type of electronic dance music that is characterized by a repetitive 4/4 beat. Techno is often created using computers and synthesizers. The golden age of techno was a time when the genre was evolving and expanding. New subgenres were being created and the music was becoming more popular.

The Second Wave of Techno

In the early 1990s, techno became popular in Europe as well as major cities in South America and East Asia. At the same time, the genre was also gaining popularity in the United States. The second wave of techno was led by artists such as Dave Clarke, Carl Craig, Derrick May, and Kevin Saunderson, all of whom were based in Detroit. These artists were influenced by the first wave of techno, as well as by other genres such as house music and electro.

The End of an Era

The late 80s and early 90s saw the rise of techno music. This was a time when electronic music was truly taking off and artists were experimenting with new sounds. Techno music was the perfect blend of electronic and dance music, and it quickly became popular in clubs and on the radio. However, the early 2000s saw the decline of techno music.

The Decline of Techno

It is no secret that the rise of digital music has had a profound effect on the music industry as a whole. One particular genre that has been hit hard by the change is techno. In its heyday, techno was one of the most popular genres around, but nowadays it seems to be waning in popularity. There are a number of reasons for this decline, but the two most significant ones are the rise of EDM and the changing tastes of music listeners.

EDM, or electronic dance music, is a genre that incorporates elements of techno, house, and other dance-oriented genres. It has exploded in popularity in recent years, and many techno artists have made the switch to EDM in order to stay relevant. The other reason for techno’s decline is that taste in music is always changing, and what was popular 20 years ago may not be popular today. This is especially true for younger generations who are always looking for something new and different.

Despite the decline in popularity, there are still plenty of people who love and appreciate techno music. And with the rise of streaming services like Spotify and Soundcloud, it’s easier than ever to find and listen to your favorite tracks. So even though the days of huge crowds dancing all night to thumping techno beats may be gone, the music itself will live on forever.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the best of 80s and 90s techno music was a great time for the genre. Many different styles and sub-genres developed during this period, and there was a lot of innovation and creativity. While there are some clear standouts, it’s really up to the individual listener to decide what they consider to be the best of this era. There are so many great tracks and artists that it’s impossible to make a definitive list, but we hope that this guide has given you some good starting points. Thanks for listening!