Cabaret Voltaire
Since the cold and industrial experimentation from its beginnings until the
technodelia of today, it's been a brilliant path. Richard H. Kirk is also
Sweet Exorcist, Sandoz and Xon (with Robert "Fon" Gordon).
"The conversation"
(Apollo, 94).
Clinton, George
P-Funk god, twisted, bizarre and surrounded by cosmic images.
Juan Atkins established Benie Wornell (keyboards at Parliament), as techno's
father. And you shouldn't forget that P-Funk Lab was originally from
Detroit. PARLIAMENT:
"Mothership Connection"
(Casablanca,76).
Devo
From Akron (Ohio), they managed to give techno a humorous touch and even
made Hendrix and The Rolling Stones versions through computers
"Q: Are We Not Men? A: We are Devo"
(Virgin, 78).
Düsseldorf
Tekno city. Industrial Germany paradigm and where Kraftwerk,
D.A.F. or Propaganda came from.
Eno, Brian
Creator of ambient. Eno's "Music for Airports" or "No Pussyfooting" along
with Robert Fripp are real state-of-the-art of the type. He's the producer
of the best techno-rock record ("Achtung Baby", U2). Insider and
provocative, he's a genius. With David Byrne he advanced the etno-techno.
"Instrumental" -box-
(Virgin, 93).
Gong
Space hippies, zippies precursors. Steve Hillage started with them,
a great influence for Alex Paterson and cyberdelics System 7's soul.
"You"
(Virgin, 74).
Human League
From brit-techno capital, Sheffield. Their division caused the apparition
of Heaven 7 and B.E.F. In their first record "Reproduction", they had a
cold feeling as much as exciting. The third, spectatorian and
amazing, is, without doubt, techno-pop most precious treasure. Its title?
"Dare"
(Virgin, 81).
Japan
Techno-exorcism. Oriental blinks among synthesized sophistications.
Languid David Sylvian has gone on experimenting with Fripp and Sakamoto.
"Tin Drum"
(Virgin, 81).
Kraftwerk
Are they human? No, they're gods. Without them nothing of all this would
be possible. Their last tour was unsurpassable. Slovenian groups offer their
tributes in "Trans Slovenia Express" and everybody should kiss everything
they touch. Ralf & Florian robotic poetry.
"The Mix"
(EMI, 91).
Magazine
Howard Devoto and Barry Adamson on top of one of the most personal bands
of the decade. Cold and convulsive, they're cool wave kings.
"Real Life"
(Virgin, 78).
Moroder, Giorgio
In the 70's managed a great hits factory, he composed soundtracks and
produced various disco queens. In the 80's he recorded an LP along
with Philip Oakley, Human League member. DONNA SUMMER:
"A Love Trilogy"
(Casablanca, 76).
Numan, Gary
One of the great techno icons. Extravagant? Sure! So what? Themes like
"Are Friends Electric?" or "You Are In My Vision" are real emblems.
TUBEWAY ARMY:
"Replicas"
(Beggards Banquet, 79).
Palais Schaumburg
German band where F.M. Einhet (Einstürzende Neubauten), Holger Hiller
and Thomas Fehlmann (Sun Electric, Ready Made, FFWD) started.
"Das Single Kabinett"
(Zickzack, 80).
Perry, Lee "Scratch"
Dub-master by excellence. The powerful grave sounds are their
tribute to techno. Records like Dub Syndicate Adrian Sherwood's factory
On-U are great.
"From The Secret Laboratory"
(Mango, 90).
The Residents
Electronic Mothers Of Invention. Humour, sound collages,
James Brown or Gerswin versions. A cult group.
"The Commercial Album"
(Ralph, 80).
Suicide
Alan Vega and Martin Rev. Technobilly. Rock & Roll you should hear at the
Space Shuttle.
"Suicide"
(Red Star, 77).
Throbbing Griste
Genesis P. Orridge and his terrorist band, which made Psychic TV appear,
Chris & Cosey and Coll, check industrial rythms.
"20 Jazz Funk Greats"
(Industrial, 79).
Ultravox
Discoverd by Eno, with John Foxx they would reach the top of electronic
tension and romanticism. They went into neo-romanticism with Midge Ure.
"Hal-Hal-Hal"
(Island, 77).
Various
Flash & The Pan, Simple Minds "Sons & Fascination", Telex (techno
from France and Belgium), Lou Reed's "Metal Machine Music", Flying Lizards,
Sylvester (Hi-energy queen) or Material (from Bill Laswell, nowadays
master of ambient-dub-funk with projects such as Zillantron or Divination).
Yellow Magic Orchesta
Japanese techno attack. Ryuichi Sakamoto continues the sequel. In 1992
his themes were remixed by people like 808 State, LFO, Orbital or Shamen.
The result?
"Hi-Tech/No Crime"
(Internal, 92).