Blind Test // 2000s Minimal - Episode 28 (Electronic Beats TV)

For the twenty eighth instalment of our Blind Test series we step back into the minimal heyday era from the turn of the millennium through to 2010. Joining us this time is KOMPAKT’s very own Michael Meyer, Melliflow co-founder Vera, Pampa Records regular Robag Wruhme, Maricas resident and Body Movements Festival co-founder Saoirse, beloved engineer of Berlin’s Apollo Studio and globetrotting DJ, Tobi Neumann and lastly groove master extraordinaire, Hartchef Discos member, Audio Werner.
Minimal music has long been a divisive genre in the underground, either much adored or much loathed and the definition of the genre seems to have many blurred lines, differing person by person. As a result, the EB team had many discussions about the track selection for this one, is it too easy, too hard, is it minimal house or minimal techno, is it even minimal at all? Even after taking the conversation externally to many of our DJ friends, things remained unclear still. However, here we have it…let’s take a deep dive into this world and the resultant selection of our lengthy search for minimal’s prized cuts. As always please join in and guess away, please also leave us your comments about the selection and and your own personal highlights we may have missed.
Please note that this video is not filmed in real time. It’s edited to create some tension so that you in front of the screen can guess as well. It doesn’t say anything about how fast the participants recognised the track etc.
All contestants receive one point for both artist and title correct, but only half a point if they can only guess the artist or the title.
Production: Sense Music & Media for Electronic Beats TV
Idea, Recordings and Track selection: Holger Wick
Edit and Graphics: Klara Mottlova
Production Supervisor: Romi Agel
Thanks to Peter Armster
00:00 Intro
00:18 Round 1
01:25 Round 2
02:42 Round 3
04:01 Round 4
05:08 Round 5
06:29 Round 6
07:43 Round 7
09:03 Round 8
10:26 Round 9
11:58 Round 10
13:10 Score
#blindtest #electronicbeats #minimal
Need more EB.TV Blind tests? Check the playlist here: bit.ly/Blind_Tests

[@mishaoosterhuis5260]

'I can't even remember the names of my own tracks'. - Robag Wruhme. What a hero!

[@peladoclaus]

And he made some of the most bomb minimal ever!

[@antfactor]

I think many of us go through this - LOL Many people don’t realize how many tracks are not released, and never heard by others… 😂

[@rundtomrasmus]

Robag Wruhme wearing sunglasses indoor is peak minimal 😅 It was cool to take a trip down these tracks - it's been a long time since I last indulged in that sound

[@patler5423]

not only at his homeplace, also in the club he's consistently wearing his sunglasses, no joke 😁

[@ElMcilroy]

Robag wearing sunglasses indoors whilst doing a Blind Test AND having a picture of a blind person in shot, is peak Robag!

[@ErwinSchrodinger64]

You really can't enough of these. Seriously, Telekon Electronic Beats TV... don't ever stop. Some progressive house, breaks, and trance would be nice.

[@marcel1463]

Telekom Electronic Beats TV is indeed fantastic!

[@ballzz2thewall]

90s hard trance! 150bpm or more only!

[@docnoe595]

My favorite one yet! More 2000’s minimal techno, please!

[@danthemanwhocancan5263]

Minimal never dies...

[@drkrac]

Oh man I forgot how much I dug minimal from this period. Got my work commute soundtrack sorted for weeks now.

[@M.W.777]

That acid house swseater with the miami vice theme, is the Shizz!!

[@etoquette]

The "tears on the floor" comment for Dexter is accurate... Those moody happy little tears and looks between friends. Only on electronic music lovers

[@bgdu93]

I still kinda wanna tear up when listening to it today... It really is an emotionally powerful track

[@tomwatts703]

I love this series because it's always introducing me to new genres and tracks, even though I'm too young to have been part of any of these scenes the feeling of recognising a track in these makes me feel 'in on' something special. Keep 'em coming!

[@johalllp8961]

We need 90s trance and techno againnnnnnnnnnn

[@jonstewart464]

Had a few nights to those records. Fun times,

[@stoneylane662]

I couldn't name a single track but enjoyed this episode as much as every other Blind Test. Thanks so much for another fun Blind Test.

[@PhatInAHat]

How about a 90s-early 00s prog episode?! Digweed, Lawler, Pappa, Dubfire, Humate, Quivver, Tilt,, Howells, Nick Warren, Dave Seaman etc.

[@ezza_t]

Was bout to post the same again. Let's keep posting every episode until it happens ;)

[@s90210h]

There is a touching point between the Minimal featured in this episode and the Progressive you're talking about, via labels as Get Physical, Love Triangle, Kompakt Extra. Border Community, Systematic,

[@colinrobertson992]

When

[@PhatInAHat]

@@s90210h not really - prog basically died in the early 00s, when this boring stuff was starting to become more prominent. While there was a very brief overlap with some stuff on Border Community and Kompakt etc, it very quickly stopped being prog and was in the vast majority of cases very different. None of the tracks in this video are close to 90s-early 00s prog.

[@JayKaufman]

@@PhatInAHat fortunately progressive house is one of the biggest underground dance music sounds on the planet all over again.

[@stricklandpropane86]

I was all over the minimal scene, brings back memories these tracks :)

[@phelper4554]

I think this type of techno will have his next comeback after this hardtechno era we are currently having…

[@arenscott4934]

🤞

[@degradacja]

yes, please!

[@florianlysandertilker4963]

Nah hardgroove/tribal First !

[@eyespy3001]

I agree. Revivals are usually on a twenty year cycle, so it’s coming up soon.

[@jurre4851]

Let’s hope not

[@AddLies]

Met Alex Smoke in a club once and thanked him for the tunes. He grinned and replied, "So you're a doom pop fan, then." Absolute gentleman, he was.

[@russianvoodoo]

Immediately recognized his track just by the voice. Never heard it. I just found him this year. Was playing Love Over Will on repeat.

[@danieleden1856]

Alex played 3 times for me when i was running shows in Australia.. Hands down a gentleman and such a genuine guy. Have some amazing memories hanging out with him and watch him slay the dancefloor.. I still listen to Paradolia and Incommunicado all the time. Miss ya Alex 💕💕

[@AddLies]

@@danieleden1856 yeah, this was my experience with him: he killed it and then we just drank, chatted and had a laugh. Top bloke. His music has aged so well unlike so many - presumably because it’s underpinned by real song craft and genuine emotion. He’s still still releasing excellent mixes of radio buena vida 👍

[@posmentatt]

​Daniel Eden biggie! i remember alex smoke in canberra, what a time

[@danieleden1856]

@@posmentatt ayo Chris! 😎 Hope you're well

[@saftpackerl]

Ive got a shelf full with records of all those labels, this was the time I went out 2-3 times a week to dance to this music - but I didnt know any of the tracks played except for Miracel Whopper (though Doppelwhipper was the bigger tune) - still, very interesting! THe Loco Dice tune sounded like Mathew Johnson...

[@JahBeatSoundSystem]

Takes me back to the early to mid 00's. Looking for all the great minimal tracks.

[@drubber007]

Alex Smoke's Don't See the Point...what a great tune.

[@jimiscott]

That whole album - Brian's Lung - Amazing.

[@drubber007]

@@jimiscott Indeed

[@ciuciulala8888]

I love these, they never get old, can't wait for each episode.

[@jorisvoorndj]

This is an interesting episode, I thought I'd do much better than I did as I played a lot of minimal at the time. But to be honest I think a lot of 200's minimal records are quite interchangeable. I guess everyone had their own favourites, but I didn't hear any of mine on this episode, although the Villalobos track is a classic. During Covid I cleared out my record collection and let go of a lot of my minimal techno records as I failed to have an emotional connection with them. I also did buy some that I couldn't find at the time. The concept of minimal techno was and still is still very strong, but it's not easy to make a memorable record. Some of the artists of this jury have made timeless records that I will cherish forever, especially Robag.

[@geeves]

I didn't know a single one and thought I might get one or two. 2005-2007 was a really weird time. I didn't like minimal. I described it as someone recording "throwing pots and pans down the stairs to a 4/4 beat". Actually, I didn't like a lot of the music that had come out at that time. Record stores were closing, digital was on the rise. I had loved the last few years of tech house with the likes of Eddie Richards, Burridge, Richards, but Tech House was slowly taken over with a more electro sound into the garbage mess it has been since the late 2000s early 2010s. There was such a huge knee-jerk reaction to Progressive Trance and House from the previous few years that gave us minimal and some other sub-genres that took a few years to find their footing. I like the experimentation, but it really left a lot to be desired because the tracks were repetitive and boring.

[@senderette]

SUPER! Please continue this episode!

[@luke1978]

Was into metal music until I stumbled into an after hours bar in london in the early 2000s and never looked back. I def got a few of these!

[@ElectronicBeatsTV]

Nice musical change 😂

[@microsoftpain2734]

Metal is as dope

[@arenreiser3643]

Same here ;)

[@luke1978]

@@arenreiser3643 it seems to be a pretty common thing!

[@Krmpfpks]

I grew up listening to electronic music - mostly minimal - but warmed up a great deal to metal over the years. In the end is’s not so much about the genre but about the artists and what they want to say. The technical skills of many metal bands are out of this world and some emotions are more easily expressed with metal. But there is a kind of energy I only get from good minimal techno, and it’ll always feel like home and relaxing to me.

[@ringtangting]

I get why loads of people in The Netherlands are complaining about this era. From what I hear this stuff was booming back then, you couldn't escape it. Glad I was too young and not into techno yet and started partying in the tail of it, I guess (2010). That being said, the blind tests are always fun!

[@rfish2]

Great times, it was more tech-housy with 100% pure / 2000 and One. I loved it a lot!

[@raphaelbruts]

Really loved this selection, probably the most interesting and creative records I heard in the whole series. They don't feel minimal (literally speaking) to me, but full of layers, unexpected sounds and surprises.

[@ElectroPunk79]

Minimal war eine schöne Abwechslung zum runter kommen vom Schranz.😄 Und am besten war sie wenn sie Electro lastig gewesen ist.

[@eeeevil9658]

Really happy to see this series back! I always look forward to them.

[@ElectronicBeatsTV]

we do them regularly it just takes more and more time to find participants.

[@sandcastle3069]

oh, sounds amazing, know some tracks and now added another 5 brilliant tracks, gabriel amanda just blow my mind, thank u, now my fav episode

[@musingsandmusic]

Love it…. I have been watching many episodes but in this I actually , have, know or recognise some tracks… haha I guess this is my genre!!! Thank you guys!

[@Tony-ql6sw]

Whoever thumbs the needle across the records is steady AF

[@mahata2d]

I love all those Blind Tests...

[@bassguitar2709]

love this era, way better than the business gabber techno 140 bpm sampling old hardcore of today's sound 😭

[@emzed1275]

Funny was thinking about perlon nights in panorama bar in ostgut and then berghain the other day, some great times. Thanks EB crew again.

[@antfactor]

These are fantastic! ❤ thank you so much. 🙏🏼 🐜

[@pablowaxa]

Fantastic episode! I bought so many records of the track list, Alcachofa LP is such a masterpiece ❤

[@partyflockske]

love this series.. even if it' s not my genre of music , i watch it :)

[@DaEVOthefreak]

that was so an easy session... best time in my life in middle of (East)Germany so many small high quality electro openairs every weekend 2004-2007

[@kielerkiwiman4989]

Awesome thanks guys so much fun

[@KnixCrisp]

lovely episode, like every time 🖤

[@lucastreber460]

Love this format ❤

[@bazedjunkiii_tv]

i see the production value of those tunes. but for me this one is a nice reminder why most minimal techno records never got me and probably never will.

[@Prop909]

Robag. Doesnt move. What a boss

[@maxspittal8470]

Hat off to them all for this one

[@jdaddyaz]

🥳 That emoji basically sums up all of my emotions when I see a new Blind Test posted.

[@clouq9]

My fav episode ❤

[@JoDie_official]

Love these one❤

[@isbjrn358]

Brought back some nice and some foggy memories 😁 good selection on tracks though! Thx!

[@patricklaurino8057]

Impossible de se lasser de cet épisode

[@buggyispretty]

Perfect video !

[@djfredleo]

So Good!

[@energylab227]

I thought they were saying “Baby Fart” for the last one! 😂

[@Wanderlust]

*Love this!*

[@lustersavage8986]

Hi Wanderlust

[@thatcandont]

Love these vids

[@estebanmorales1293]

Se aprende mucho de música 😊 saludos desde chile 🇨🇱 ✌️

[@SparklingWaterDreams]

what a great episode

[@carlesnovellas7546]

great one

[@iham1313]

11:30 "what was the name of the guy? faaaack" - hahahaha

[@Gabriel.A.L.]

Ach schön euch zu sehen! Grüsse aus dem Westerwald!

[@christianbachmann8206]

How are these (excellent) videos recorded? Everyone on a separate call or all in one? Do they get hints at some point? It’s so well edited - sometimes I couldn’t tell the difference. Keep up the excellent work!!

[@lewis9898]

When the best score is 6/10 you know it was difficult! You could do a late 2000’s/early 2010’s electro house one at some point. That would be fun!

[@HonigMacher]

very nice!!!

[@jaime8174]

Great to hear tunes I've never heard before. I find them easy on my ears but not especially memorable.

[@trevormalcolm4328]

I know this one, but I don’t know what it is! Classic

[@user-vx8wx2dn3b]

Love this series, I watch em all and i was so excited to see the that Minimal episode was coming. Everything on top as always, except for inviting AW who is a lunatic who snaps on people every now and then. I guess your team didn’t know. We can debate on the idea “separate the artist from the person” for sure, each one their perspective. I just don’t think we should give credit and visibility to people that spread hate and show violent behavior. Thank you for the show! Peace

[@arenreiser3643]

Beste Zeit und Musik. :)

[@Henrynerdcore]

Microhouse and this is my all time favorite

[@nextreal6167]

Please do a tech talk with Audio Werner!!!

[@Jumpspinfail]

would love more electro episodes!

[@billkounoupis5885]

and they should invite the king dave clarke for this one

[@Moskalus]

Lets go! Audio Werner is my fave producer!

[@cr4igj4ck]

Yes

[@gogi1388]

👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏 GREAT 👌...hi from Belgrade 🇷🇸

[@magnusbooth4719]

most of this stuff still sounds amazing nowadays.

[@bgdu93]

Many people disagreeing with you in the comments there... I don't blame them : only a small percentage of my playlist of the time still remains today. But that small percentage really feels timeless to me, so I do kinda agree with you as well :)

[@cr4igj4ck]

Really surprised that Dice's Carthago wasnt guessed, his 2005/6 releases were probably my gateway into minimal around that time

[@ejival]

Got Villalobos, Brinkmann and Melchior Productions correctamente!!!

[@jonathangozzo6051]

Thank you so much for that video ! I miss early 2000's for the good progressive and minimal, and playing vinyl as well :/ What the scene has become with the kids wanting to make hits and become famous is so sad. Put back dj's on a dj booth and make them have a blind test and QI test before booking them ! ^^

[@KilllahSK]

Hell yeah!

[@UnbenutzerKanalname]

round 9 is amazing

[@ja-kidnb6416]

omg I remember the analogy of DJs arriving with their laptops just to check emails on stage. For me that was one of the lower points in dance music, that's also when I lost track of everything just to get back into it a few years later thanks to Doc Scott.

[@ElectronicBeatsTV]

Nowadays DJs at least need some performance quality 😉

[@jimiscott]

@@ElectronicBeatsTV Doing, perhaps, even less mixing?

[@sawtooth808]

@@ElectronicBeatsTV you mean like Thomas Brinkmann dressed like Evel Keneavel? (Sp on the name) jk

[@ElectronicBeatsTV]

More like Dance Moves and Hands in the air action while music is playing in sync. Laptop DJs weren't that bad 😉

[@bgdu93]

@@ElectronicBeatsTV Hey thank you for respecting my younger self :D I was a laptop dj for a short while there... most definitely played Dexter and Carthago... Loved this episode. I understand why the old school vinyl DJs resented us though, Many of us were absolute frauds... I still think the democratisation midi controllers and digital music brought to the scene helped revive the interest for all kinds of electronic music and bred a lot of innovation

[@frispens8093]

Have most of them on viny. Still, hard to come up with the titles. Kudos to Mayer & Werner!

[@christopheredwards4012]

This episode's not really my thing (although actually maybe more my thing than I expected) but Tobi Neumann is a complete sweetie.

[@mattywilliams7932]

Need a U.K 90s Rave. I might get some right then. 😂

[@jsav100]

That Melchior track sounded great - never heard that one.

[@klurthomblank5623]

Vielen dank das hat wirklich Spaß gemacht da das genau den Zeitgeist traf wo ich angefangen habe platten zu drehen!!!meine erste platte,platzhirch records Gabriel Ananda M.whop

[@mnchls]

gotta include RV, but i was hoping for some Akufen, not gonna lie. regardless: love the time and effort put into this series. kudos to all involved behind the scenes, y'all should be mighty proud!!

[@JeremyForTheWin]

akufen is more microhouse than minimal, no?

[@mnchls]

@@JeremyForTheWin true - but with a decent chunk of his material there's tons of overlap.

[@urmumsbaps]

@@JeremyForTheWin 2 words for the same sub-genre. Any difference is absolutely minimal (ehehehe) to the point that they really can't be considered separate.

[@JeremyForTheWin]

@@urmumsbaps i disagree. microhouse is glitchier

[@hernanlagos9651]

Long life to the boss Mayer :)

[@as.3505]

Thanks TEB

[@akis723]

two things 1. you can replicate these sounds with MicroTonic 2. I was about to write where is Baby Ford. LOL

[@jasonblank617]

I finally did good on one of these! I have most of these records.

[@Tobfunka]

90s Minimal next Time please!

[@SimeonStanchev]

Managed to guess Baby Ford and Dexter, and that one of the tracks is from Trapez - they truly had a distinctive sound.

[@gnutscha]

cant wait for this, i consider myself an expert in this era.

[@ElectronicBeatsTV]

Will be different as what you expect probably 😉

[@florianfanderl6674]

I also thought I was an expert, when they did the drum and bass blind test. Boy was I wrong :D I did DJ around 2000, so I know quite a few records from back then.

[@gnutscha]

@@ElectronicBeatsTV no suprises for me, knew them all aside from the trapez one. great choice. Edit: And btw. my suggestion Andreas Werner was tied for the win! Makes me a little bit proud :D

[@mnchls]

@@gnutscha you don't sound knowledgeable, you just sound insufferable

[@richardgough1393]

Holy fck,we're all getting old😂

[@stambomuc]

Das Grinsen von allen beim Track von Ricardo ❤️

[@Pepijnisdebom]

This music was my entry into rave culture. Such a weird but great period

[@the_crude_guy]

Listening to 2000's minimal is like taking sleeping pills.

[@contumancia]

"Minimal" is so broad : ) I like Zûg

[@VasinYaroslav]

My heros )

[@MrBendixxx]

I was waiting for this, and it didn’t disappoint. This mid 00’s minimal sound was by far my favourite era for dance music. I came up on the late 99 trance sound, but grew up around 2002 and subsequently grew out of trance, I heard “Dexter” and that was it. Minimal was always such a sexy, hypnotic sound. Sounded great in the clubs too. I’m patiently waiting for this hardstyle of techno to pass, so hopefully we can have the second coming of minimal 🙂

[@Darkira]

It's perfect now, this undancing music.

[@Slyce82]

Pretty minimal episode indeed - the music, my knowledge of it and the participants' title recognition abilities. One little exception on ze amount of nice dschörmen accents! And I even learned something... Always thought, minimal is not quite my stuff. But now, I'm pretty sure about that. 😂 Loved the episode like all of them anyway.

[@gavinkerslake]

excellent choices....I got Dexter, but not the others.