Amazon.co.uk Review
Making its official mark in the late 1980s with the release of Virgin's compilation "The New Dance Sound of Detroit", Techno, once gloriously defined by Derrick May as the sound of "George Clinton and Kraftwerk stuck in an elevator with only a sequencer to keep them company", has proved one of the most enjoyably forward-looking musical forms to emerge during the last 15 years. In this detailed and enjoyable pocket-sized book, Tim Barr details some of the characters who have played a part in the form's fascinating journey, a trip that, to him, "has seen Techno outstrip every other modern dance genre and generate new musical strategies which continue to evolve, change shape and metamorphose".
One of the ever-expanding series of Rough Guides, (other notable titles including those dealing with House and Drum 'n' Bass), Barr's book takes the form of an A to Z, in which each of Techno's main practitioners is given a well-written biographical and critical treatment. From the genre's more mainstream figures, such as The Prodigy, Leftfield and Orbital, to many lesser-known but creatively crucial figures, Barr's writing is thorough and enthusiastic, with short album critiques often accompanied by some great pictures of the artists involved. While the pocket-guide nature of the book obviously limits the depth to which Techno's many intricacies can be explored, the guide acts as a perfect introductory exploration of an engrossing genre. For both newcomers and Techno experts, this book is well worth a read. --Steve Price
Product Description
This guide covers 200 crucial figures in the diverse world of techno. Concetrating both on album artists and the likes who paved a way for them, each entry includes a comprehensive biography and critical discography.