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Who Wore It Better: 80s or 90s Dance Party People?
Dance music as a genre that has evolved from the European electro-pop and American House music and Techno scene from the 70s-80s â typically, with a BPM range from 120 to 140+. Interestingly, the techno and dance music today we know today cannot be compared to the music years and years prior.
As far as change goes, we know that no matter the location, the techno music and general dance music scene has always been a relentless and powerful one from the DJs, producers, listenersâŠetc. Definitely, all aspects of the techno and dance music community have brought about an essence of âweâre here to stayâ â and to add, one thing that can be said about the community is that fashion has stayed prevalent throughout the scene as well.
Toto, We’re Not in Kansas Anymore: Welcome to the Dark Side of Techno
When Dorothy was catapulted into the land of Oz by a tornado, she definitely wasn’t in Kansas anymore. Dorothy probably felt what every techno lover feels when they discover the world of dark techno: oh shi* (but in the best way possible). Â So grab your favorite all-black attire, we’re on the yellow brick road to the dark side of techno.Â
Acid Techno Guide: History, Artists & Classics
Welcome class, get ready to dive straight into another techno sub-genre lesson with 6AM. On today’s slate, weâre going to learn about the wonderful world of acid. No, weâre not talking about the type of acid that will burn a hole through your wall, nor the type that will burn a hole through your brain and make you talk to aliens. Weâre talking about that 303, that screeching synthesizer, that classic, iconic sound that just screams, âRave!â So put down the blotter paper and pull up a speaker as we take a look into one of the most quintessential sub-genres of techno, acid. Read more
An Intro to 90s Techno: History, Artists, & Labels
The 90s were a special time in rave history. Though some may describe the period as the glory days of the rave scene, all can agree the 90s laid the foundation for the rise of techno music and its various sub-genres. This is your guide to 90s Techno, covering the history, artists, and labels that have shaped the rave scene we know and love today.
Brief History of Techno in the 90s
Early 90s techno music was influenced by experimental music being crafted in Europe in the late 80s. This sound migrated to North America and soon dominated underground dance parties or “raves.” In the United States, raves often took place at illegal and alternative venues like warehouses, sound stages, roller-skating rinks, beaches, deserts, fields and mountains. The 90s rave scene reflected the 60s counterculture movement in many aspects. Whether escaping realities or creating new and better ones, both cultural movements embraced music as means of radical acceptance and community-building.
Read Next: #TBT Series: The 1990s Rave Heydays
North American Techno Scene
House music originated in Chicago, and Techno was birthed in Detroit during the early 90s. Techno emerged in response to a bleak urban crisis and economic recession facing Detroiters in the 90s. Techno pioneers invented a new kind of sound, one that challenged the environment that surrounded them and inspired others to redefine themselves. Techno was (and perhaps still is) the sound of resistance.
In New York City, venue owners took advantage of the emerging soundscape. Super clubs in New York City like Twilo, Limelight and the Tunnel fueled the rave culture’s expansion into the mainstream. On the other side of the United States, the rave scene found its epicenter in Los Angeles. For example, Electric Daisy Carnival began in 1997 as a warehouse party in Los Angeles. Movie soundtracks, video games, candy raver fashion, rave fliers, and print coverage all popularized Techno and its various offshoots on the West Coast.
European Techno Scene
While the United States fostered pure Techno and an acid house and dance community, the epicenter for Techno in Europe was fast becoming Berlin, Germany. Detroit Techno was imported into Berlin via figures such as âDimitriâ Hegemann, the founder of legendary club Tresor. After East and West Berlin became reunited after the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, the city became one large and adventurous playground. For Berliners, Techno was the sound of new beginnings.
It was during the 90s that Techno proliferated and evolved to such a degree that it had birthed countless other sub-genres. For instance, the Netherlands created gabber, while Goa, India became the spiritual epicenter of trance music. In the United Kingdom, “intelligent dance music” or IDM was being pioneered by figures such as Aphex Twin.Â
Read Next: Is Modern Techno Resurrecting 90s Trance?Â
90s Techno Artists
The artists and DJs of the 90s Techno scene are considered today’s legends. Think Juan Atkins, Jeff Mills, Carl Cox, Robert Hood, Monika Kruse, and  Sven VĂ€th. Although there are many others, here’s a few names that’ll get you started down the rabbit hole.
Plastikman
Plastikman is the alias of Richie Hawtin. As the 90s dawned, Plastikman helmed some of the most intense, mind-bending parties underground electronic music has ever known. They took place in and around Detroit, as well as Hawtin’s home town of Windsor, Ontario. The parties were based on those Hawtin experienced as a teenager at Detroitâs legendary Music Institute; a black sweatbox of a room, a single strobe light, and the phattest sound system.
K-Hand
K-Hand, aka Kelli Hand, was one of few female Techno artists of the 90s. In 2017, K-Hand was officially recognized as âThe First Lady of Detroit.â She was awarded the cityâs Testimonial Resolution certificate which mentioned her notable âskills within a male-dominated industry.â
Read Next: Remembering Detroit Techno & House Legend K-Hand
Basic Channel
Basic Channel consisted of German techno artists Moritz von Oswald andMark Ernestus. The pair reduced Techno to to its basic elements and melded it with reggae production techniques. The free flow of static textures, echo chambers, swirling dub clouds, and bass drums eventually characterized an entirely new genre: dub techno.
90s Techno Songs
It’s difficult to choose the best 90s Techno songs or ones that were the most popular 90s Techno songs. There are many, many tracks that could be included on those lists. Here’s a few 90s Techno songs that characterized the sound of the time.Â
Read Next: 10 House & Techno Tracks Turning 30 in 2021
3 Phase feat. Dr. Motte “Der Klang der Familie”Â
Dr. Motte organized the first acid house parties in Berlin. Most notably, he was the inventor and founder of the Loveparade there, too. Dr. Motte’s “Der Klang Der Familie” on Tresor Records became one of the most important German releases because it helped leverage Berlin’s electronic music to international success.Â
Moby “Go”
“Go” is a single by American Techno artist Moby. “Go” was the B-side to Moby’s debut single “Mobility in 1990 on Instict Records. The track put Moby on the map, and to this day remains a timeless dance floor staple.Â
DJ Rolando “Jaguar”Â
“Jaguar” was released on Detroit’s Underground Resistance in 1999. The debut came from The Aztec Mystic, better known today as DJ Rolando. After the track was released, it hypnotized the world.Â
Conclusion
The 90s were an exceptional time for Techno music. In less than ten years, Techno had been invented, distributed around the world, and developed into numerous other sub-genres. For these reasons as well as others, 90s Techno should have a special place in every raver’s heart.Â
Read Next: A Beginnerâs Techno Music Guide: Brief History, Artists & Clubs
Dennis Rodman is a Fan of ‘Ear-Splitting Techno’
Dennis Rodman never let a playoff game get in the way of partying.
In fact, the NBA Hall of Fame forward frequently relieved the pressure of major games with nights out on the town. In his new book, ‘Walk On The Wild Side‘, Rodman details one such outing ahead of a critical NBA Finals that was Game 6 against the Seattle Supersonics. The night began straightforward enough, with sushi and some Sake bombs, but with a crazy crew by his side, things rapidly went off the rails.
What is the Best Rave Anthem of the 1990s?
This is the first installment of our series cataloging the best rave anthems over the decades.
Let’s take a trip down nostalgia lane… all the way back to the ancient days of the 1990s when the rave scene was still underground. The 1990s proved to be a seminal time in rave culture, where the heavily gelled and spiked hair of the ravers started to peak out from underground and be seen in the mainstream. A time when JNCO jeans and butterfly hair clips reigned supreme. You had to know someone who knew someone to find out the location. Rave tracks from the 90s bring up a lot of emotion with not just the ravers from that era, but almost anyone who grew up listening to electronic music. So what are the best rave tracks from the 1990s? Let’s dig in.
Underground Pioneer Paul Davis Selects Classics Defining the 90s and 00s
Paul Davis, AKA Circulation, was a pioneer of the UK tribal and tech sound in the 90s and 00s. Alongside his then musical partner Matt Jackson, Davis helped define the underground sound of the day with a series of revered Colours EPs.
Read Next: Is Modern Techno Resurrecting 90s Trance?
Now Paul Davis is back in Circulation. He returns with a new label, Recirculate, and a fifth innovative EP, Recirculate Five. The EP is available on Beatport and it will be released on other streaming platforms December 31. In honor of the release, Paul Davis shares ten classics that defined techno’s golden age.
1. Basic Channel “Phylyps Track” – Basic Channel
I remember taking delivery of the first presses that came into the UK for my shop. The track blew us all away, dubbed out jazzy techno. One of the best techno tracks ever made.
2. Carl Craig “Televised Green Smoke” – Planet E Communications
My favourite Carl Craig track ever, the deeper melodic side of techno, an absolutely sublime record.
3. Planetary Assault Systems “Booster” – Peacefrog
What a bassline, a really funky track. I played this at Bedrock’s Second Birthday at Heaven, London and it took the roof off.
4. Mr G “G Strings” – Altra Moda Music
An infectious groove with a beautiful string line, you could play this, and I did many times, in a more House-y set.
5. Daft Punk “Alive” – Soma Records
I played this track to death, it sounds absolutely awesome on a big system, pure techno.
6. Lyot “Vainqueur” – (Maurizio Remix)
One of the deepest yet darkest techno tracks ever made.
7. Jeff Mills “The Bells” – Axis
Mr. Techno himself, one of my favourites of his super super, funky vibes.
8. Slam “Positive Education” – Soma Records
A timeless classic still powerful and emotive after 25 years, you could play this track at any point in your set.
9. Circulation “Green” – Circulation
Our first and one of the most played Circulation tracks. It was played by so many DJs of different genres.
10. Trancesetters “Roaches” – (Peace Division Remix)
Killer, killer track great for the floor just builds and builds from the tribal masters. “Underground will live forever baby.”
10 House & Techno Tracks Turning 30 In 2021
Go back in time, to where 1991 was the ultimate year for techno and house, entering into a new decade at the time, dance music had a whole sound to it. The generation of house and techno listeners today have a small sense of what music was like thirty years ago, almost a lifetime of most people in the scene today. The scene was reaching its highest level in clubs and raves, a world with no phones, just music, and no sleep for days. The familiar tracks that have been played over a span of three decades are hard to believe that these have reached their thirty-year mark. True classics never die.
Perc Returns to Perc Trax with ’90s Inspired EP Titled “Greed Dance”
Perc returns to Perc Trax with an EP designed to capture the energy and chaos of rave without relying on the same classic sounds that have been in constant use since the early ’90s. Greed Dance is Perc’s first full EP in 14 months. It comes after Fire In Negative (Perc Trax) released in September 2020. Since then Perc has pushed through lockdown with an intense production regime resulting in tracks being signed to Lebendig, Possession, RAW, and Rote Sonne.
