When house and techno first came on the scene in the mid-’80s, productions were minimal out of necessity. Minimal Elektro, Techno Musik, Elektro Minimal, Minimal Trance.

As the art of sampling and programming developed, the music became more layered and professional sounding — a progression according to some, but an unnecessary crossover move to others.

Then, reacting against these increasingly dense productions, Minimalist Techno figures cleared their productions of most everything except pointed drum programs and stark sequencer or synthesizer patterns.

Detroit figures like Rob Hood, Jeff Mills, and Plastikman led the way, with later figures including Surgeon, Oliver Ho, and Stewart Walker also contributing to the new idiom.