You should listen to #2
Centrafrique: Musique Gbáyá / Chants À Penser
Minimalism clearly was not invented in Europe (European musicians, specially composers, were/are? more interested in dramatic structures), it’s roots are clearly set in Africa. Unfortunately (or fortunately?) these african traditions are not known so much, maybe because they lack the pretentiousness of the intellectual constructions that are so much the main focus of european art music circles. Tracks like dai-te (1) would not feel out of place performed in the same concert as say, Reich’s Drumming.
But credit must be given to the original American minimalists (specially Reich), in claiming the African and Asian traditions as a source of inspiration. When listening to an album like this one, or the gamelan ensembles of indonesia, or so many other unbelievably rich music traditions around the world I just smile when I think of the devotion most “serious” music appreciators feel they have to render to the likes of Bach or Mozart (who have no fault in that, off course, they were dead a long time ago).
Btw, when listening to Tambours de bois à fente (Centrafrique) from Instruments de musique du mond, it’s clear also the connection between african drumming and say, minimal techno.