House Music

Well, being that I do enjoy Hustle nearly as much as I do Swing, I've more recently become very enamoured of House music as an alternative to the "disco classics" (though there are lots of 70's vintage disco/R&B tunes that are great that never got heard a real lot). Thanks to a radio show from Boston's Emerson College station (the show is called "Revolutions" ) http://www.wers.org, I've gotten to explore House and more specifically the Deep/Soulful House sub-genre and its many mutations. I've noticed a couple cool things with this micro-genre' as it were:

1) More and more use of live musicians on the recordings

2) A dizzying variety of musical flavors in the stew like jazz, R&B/Soul and many strains of Latin musics

3) The complete ABSENCE (thank God!!!) of over-emoting wailing divas!

4) Intoxicating grooves that make sitting down completely impossible! :lol: :wink:

Some recent faves that are guaranteed to get me on the floor:




Nuyorican Soul - Various Artists (including Roy Ayers, India, Jocelyn Brown, Vince Montana Jr. and so many others)

Giant Step Records Sessions Vol I - Ron Trent (check out the amazing, sexy remake of John Coltrane's "Naima" especially)

Verve Remixed 2 (Whod've thought, Hustle to Ella Fitgerald or Salsa to Dizzy Gillespie!)

The Latin Project

The Ananda Project

Swell Sessions




What say y'all?

My respect for you grows every day, Phil. Can't say as I like hustle much, but I adore Roy Ayers and India (Arie? I assume that's who you mean), so I'll check out the rest, at your recommendation.

I assume these are CD titles you've given? I think I'll check out the hustle mix of jazz standards one first. Hustle to Ella sounds intriguing to me.

'Cause I just can't stand those wailing divas, either. *shudder* :lol:

pygmalion said:

My respect for you grows every day, Phil. Can't say as I like hustle much, but I adore Roy Ayers and India (Arie? I assume that's who you mean), so I'll check out the rest, at your recommendation.

I assume these are CD titles you've given? I think I'll check out the hustle mix of jazz standards one first. Hustle to Ella sounds intriguing to me.

'Cause I just can't stand those wailing divas, either. *shudder* :lol:

Click to expand...

OK, RE: India (Arie?), I'm not really sure at all, the Nuyorican Soul disc came out in 1996, and I get the impression that India Arie hit big only recently, adding to my uncertainty. But anyhoo, Nuyorican Soul has a great variety of stuff ranging from Salsa to Disco/House to Jazz-Funk to R&B and Afro.

Verve Remixed 2 is outrageously fresh and unique! Highly recommended. Ella Fitzgerald's cut "Slap That Bass" is great fun!

You will not believe this Phil. I thought Nuyorican Soul sounded familiar. Wanna know why? I have that CD. Got it by accident back when I had a Columbia House membership. Will take a listen, and let you know what I think.

Well if you want to know anything at all about House I'm your man. I've been a DJ in the scene since 1996 and a dancer since 1988. House is a true love of mine! I still spend close to $100 on vinyl each month.

Nuyorican Soul is fueled my it's producers (Kenny 'Dope' Gonzalez and 'Little' Lou Vega) world class DJ's and producers (under the moniker Masters at Work--MAW). The India that sings lead on several of NuYorican's tracks is La India the famous salsa diva. I also love the collabs with Jocelyn Brown and Martha Wash.

Phil Your list of faves is nice! The great thing about House is even if you don't love vocals almost every song comes with a dub mix (minimal to no voals). Others I would say to check out:

Joey Negro (Easily one of the best remixers in the soulful/disco house scene)

Kevin Yost (Another great producer/DJ/remixer)

Almost anything that came out on Slip 'N' Slide or Suburban records

The group Blaze

Thanks so much Youngsta!!!

You mentioned Blaze, it turns out that they have a track on "Giant Step Record Sessions VOl I (w/ Ron Trent) called "Elevation" that just smokes!! If that doesn't get you on a dance floor, it's obvious you ain't breathin' Jack! :lol:

I'll check out the people you mentioned as well!

You're definitely right about House, it is so cool, I would say a logical offspring of the classic Disco of the 70's but now with more creative options.

Two names I have to say. Frankie Knuckies and Farly Jackmaster Funk.

Ive been a DJ since 1983 and have tons of House Music


OUSE

The style that brought dance music with electronic music, changing the whole map. House music was born in Chicago in the mid 80's at the Warehouse club -where the term "house" took the name from- by the hand of pioneer dj's such as FRANKIE KNUCKLES , LIL' LOUIS, MARSHALL JEFFERSON, and LARRY HEARD.

Chicago House is characterized by repetitive 4/4 bass drums and deep and hypnotic bass lines, and is product of the heritage of styles like Disco, Soul, and Funk and the fusion with Techno elements from European Techno-Pop artists like KRAFTWERK and DEPECHE MODE.
The early scene in Chicago was supported by radio shows like FARLEY JACKMASTER FUNK, and labels like DJ International and Trax.



ARLY "JACKMASTER" FUNK

Farly Keith aka Farly Jackmaster Funk is one of the pioneers of House music. He played at the lengendary Warehouse club along with FRANKIE KNUCKLES and Playground -one of the first House clubs in Chicago-.
Farly "Jackmaster" Funk made his start DJing at a local Chicago radio station. He's known for making the first House single that was a hit in the British top ten charts titled "Love Can't Turn Around" in 1986.


Farley Keith forms Hot Mix 5, a collective off radio DJ's on a mission: Farely, Mickey Oliver, Ralphie Rossario, Mario "Smokin'" Diaz and Scott Sills (later to be replaced by Julian Perez, then Edward Crosby) give dance a radio outlet in Chicago. They go on in to play a crucial role in the development of the scene.





http://www.robpromotions.com/dj/frankie.html