Recommendations for Techno: From Classic Masterpieces to Popular Tracks of the 2000s and Beyond

The Greatest DancerRobert Hood

Robert Hood – The Greatest Dancer

Robert Hood is a pioneer and heavyweight of Detroit minimal techno, and also an original member of the legendary group Underground Resistance alongside Mad Mike and Jeff Mills.

As an evangelist of Detroit minimal, Hood has created many historic masterpieces.

Here, I’d like to introduce his classic track “The Greatest Dancer,” released in 2001! If you’re well-versed in soul music, the title alone might make you think, “Could it be…?” Indeed, it boldly samples Sister Sledge’s 1979 track “He’s the Greatest Dancer,” the hit from the female vocal group that rose to prominence in the 1970s.

The result is a piece that, while firmly minimal techno, is irresistibly disco-tinged and supremely funky—a true classic.

Drop it on the dance floor and it’s guaranteed to land: an ageless, eternal killer tune! A remastered 12-inch was reissued in 2011, so be sure to check that out alongside the original pressing.

At Les (Versus Edit Version)Carl Craig

Carl Craig – At les

Carl Craig is a charismatic figure in Detroit techno who continues to create genre-defying sounds under multiple artist aliases.

His achievements can’t be summed up in a short paragraph, but today I’d like to introduce one of his timeless classics among many great tracks he’s produced: “At Les.” In 2017, it was also included on “Versus,” where Craig collaborated with an orchestra and the genius pianist Francesco Tristano—who freely traverses techno and classical—handled the arrangements, breathing new life into Craig’s music.

The original, released in 1997, floats beautiful synth tones over solid, jazz-tinged drums, pulling your soul into a serious and dark atmosphere.

SharevariA Number of Names

ANUMBEROFNAMES SHAREVARI

Released in 1981, Sharevari is a classic masterpiece and arguably the very root of Detroit techno.

It’s a timeless track still played by heavyweights like Derrick May, Jeff Mills, Carl Craig, and Juan Atkins, and there are even stories that it was produced as early as 1980—earlier than Cybotron’s Alleys Of Your Mind, often cited as a source of Detroit techno.

Crafted by a Canadian trio, this track is a supremely simple four-on-the-floor kick drum paired with a shadowy bassline, a deceptively monotonous yet addictive synth phrase, and cool, mechanical vocals.

As a landmark in techno history, be sure to add it to your playlist.

Big FunInner City

Inner City – Big Fun

A masterpiece of Detroit techno and an all-time classic in dance music! “Big Fun,” released in 1988 by Inner City—the unit formed by Kevin Saunderson, often called one of the originators of Detroit techno, with female singer Paris Grey—was their debut track.

Alongside the later smash hit “Good Life,” it stands as one of Inner City’s signature songs and a celebrated milestone in techno history.

A pure techno track infused with a catchy synth riff and pop-leaning female vocals, it blends these elements in perfect balance, maintaining an unfading brilliance as an innovative techno classic.

This is exactly the kind of track you want to blast loud on vinyl!

The Groove That Won’t StopKevin Saunderson

Kevin Saunderson – The Groove That Won’t Stop (1988)

Kevin Saunderson, active since the 1980s when techno was born and known as one of the founders of Detroit techno.

He’s a DJ who helped ignite the techno movement in the ’80s.

While techno is now firmly established as a form of dance music, he is, so to speak, a classic techno musician who helped build it.

For those just starting to listen to techno, it can be fun to trace the history back from here alongside the genre’s founders like Derrick May.

The Man With The Red FaceLaurent Garnier

Laurent Garnier – The Man With The Red Face (Live)

Alongside Derrick May and Jeff Mills, the French artist Laurent Garnier is often hailed as one of the “world’s three great techno DJs.” In the late 1980s, he hosted house parties based at the legendary Hacienda club in Manchester, UK, and from the early 1990s began his full-fledged career as a techno musician back in France.

He also performs in Japan regularly, so anyone who loves dance music will surely know his name.

Garnier’s 2000 release “The Man With The Red Face” is a track that has continued to be adored on dance floors as a techno classic.

From the serious intro, a wistful, passionate saxophone weaves in exquisitely, unfolding with dramatic flair—an overwhelming display of taste that commands admiration!

Ghetto KravizNina Kraviz

Nina Kraviz – Ghetto Kraviz (Official Music Video)

Nina Kraviz is a female DJ, producer, and singer-songwriter from Siberia with global name recognition.

Her music, including releases on her own label, трип (Trip), has earned high praise.

In Japan, she drew significant attention for performing in a kimono at the Art Aquarium event held at Nijo Castle in Kyoto, a UNESCO World Heritage site, including a special collaboration with Rantaro Araki—the star of the Araki theater troupe—on the “Oiran Dance.” This time, I’d like to introduce her 2011 track “Ghetto Kraviz.” While anchored in an old-school Chicago house-style groove, the looping of Nina’s own languid vocals creates a minimal atmosphere that feels undeniably cool and urban.

It doesn’t come off as cold-blooded, but there’s a certain crisp, effortless touch that could be called a quintessentially post-2010s sensibility.