- 12inch
- Recommended
Robert Hood
Master Builder (2026 Repress)
Tresor Records - Cat No: tresor032
- updated:2026-07-10
DETROIT MINIMAL TECHNO. A classic track taken from his first solo album, *Internal Empire*, released in 1994, following collaborations with U.R., Mike Banks, and Jeff Mills.
Track List
Almost 30 years after its initial release, and accompanying the rerelease of ’Internal Empire’ Tresor Records is proud to present a new pressing of Robert Hood’s essential “Master Builder” EP. This work elevates its maker as master, and remains a cherished moment in the Tresor story, sharing an irrefutable singular magic, sounding as present and indispensable as when first created. Originally released in 1994 and 1995, ‘Internal Empire’ and "Master Builder" mark a point of transition for Robert Hood moving on from his previous collaborations within Underground Resistance. Robert Hood advanced uncovering the power of true minimalism. Deep soul through a simplicity that showed how much could be done with so little. The devastating rhythms of this album forge the unmatched spirit of this sound, influencing generations to come. "25 years ago, I was faced with the challenge of following up on 'Minimal Nation'. I cancelled all my tour dates for that summer, setup my studio in the living room and began to work on 'Internal Empire'. My intention was to create something distinctively dierent. Looking out my living room window in Detroit watching people go by gave me a new perspective. It made me look at the world within myself. 25 years later I am still discovering.” - Robert Hood, 2019

Following “Minimal Nation” by AXIS, this classic track was released in 1995—the year after “Internal Empire,” an album that marked a turning point, breaking away from their previous collaborations within Underground Resistance and ushering in a new phase. Its unique appeal lies in its analog minimal sound and the rhythmic sense of timing. (Original Japanese text by Saito)