Tainted Love impact on EDM is profound. I honestly doubt there is anyone in the modern world who doesn’t recognize “Tainted Love” by Soft Cell! The song certainly has a powerful impact from my youth, and I love it still. Truly, it is a timeless classic. It represents a major milestone and turning point in synthesizer dance music. Also, it did enormous things to popularize the electronic sound, similar to how New Order’s “Blue Monday” does a few years later, but “Tainted Love” is on even a larger scale.

I remember the feeling I had when I first heard, “Tainted Love”, and it was a game changer for me. I was not alone in this as the song swept the airwaves and dancefloors across the United States and Europe, and eventually the whole world. Tainted Love impact on EDM has been so fundamental, I’m surprised we haven’t done an episode about the song earlier! Let’s jump in!

Who Is Soft Cell?

Soft Cell were formed in 1978, after vocalist, Mark Almond, and instrumentalist, David Ball had met at Leeds Polytechnic, while studying in the previous year. Their initial efforts at recording resulted in an EP titled “Mutant Moments”, released in 1980. It was funded by a loan of £2,000 from Dave Ball’s mother and made with a simple two-track recorder.

They shoot to prominence in 1981 with their single, “Tainted Love” from the platinum selling “Non-Stop Erotic Cabaret”. “Tainted Love” becomes a song that reaches every segment of musical taste. The duo have sales in excess of ten million records world-wide. In the United Kingdom, Soft Cell had twelve top 40 hits. They also had four top 20 albums between 1981 and 1984. The duo split in 1984 but reformed in 2001 to tour and release a new album. They held a reunion concert in London on 30 September 2018.

After the chart failure of “Memorabilia”, Polygram Records allowed Soft Cell to record a second and final single in an attempt to score a chart success. The band opted to record a cover version of “Tainted Love”, an obscure 1965 Northern Soul track originally released by Gloria Jones. Released in 1981, Soft Cell’s “Tainted Love” was a No. 1 hit in 17 countries.

Tainted Love Impact on EDM

In 1982, “Tainted Love” became a No. 8 single in the United States and went on to set a Guinness World Record at the time for the longest consecutive stay (43 weeks) on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. The song’s popularity developed slowly, needing 19 weeks to enter the US Top 40. The A-side of the 12″ single of “Tainted Love” actually featured a two-song medley, with “Tainted Love” blending into the Motown classic “Where Did Our Love Go”, (originally recorded by The Supremes in 1964).

The song has samples in 42 songs, has covers by 85 songs, and there are 12 remixes. That’s A LOT!! It is so popular due to the fact it is a nearly perfect Synth Pop song that is groundbreaking when the release happens! It has an infectious, bouncing groove and you have got to love the laser stabs! Mark Almond’s voice pushes it straight over the top withy quirky, whining vocals and lyrics we can all relate to.

There’s a great breakdown of the song in the video link below. It explains the song in depth and is definitely worth checking out!!

https://www.facebook.com/reel/443424984752546

To get a vinyl copy of the original “Tainted Love 12” single on Discogs, use the link below!

https://www.discogs.com/master/568274-Soft-Cell-Tainted-Love-Memorabilia

Tainted Love Impact on EDM Through Samples

Bob Sinclair takes the most memorable part of the music, the laser stabs, to use in his chunky House tune! He uses completely new programming and sounds, so the only recognizable pattern or sound is the double laser stab. With that being said, his use is a fun summer time pool party or slick nightclub tune. It has clean 4/4 beats that are nice and round and uses some great singing elements that almost conjure up the visage of a beat poetry slam. Take a listen!

The song is available on his album, “Disco Crash” on CD or album at Discogs.

https://www.discogs.com/release/11992713-Bob-Sinclar-Disco-Crash

Tainted Love impact on EDM Through Covers

“Tainted Love”, is itself a cover of an earlier song from 1965 that is kind of a mix of soul and funk by Gloria Jones with the same title. There are 85 songs that create covers of “Tainted Love”. It is a popular song to take a crack at! The styles run the gambit from EDM to Jazz to Rock to even Hip Hop.

For us, the song we are looking at is a juicy Electro Breaks ditty from 1998. It is by B-Boy Electric, and as a cover is titled, “Tainted Love”. It’s a beast of a cover with thick, rolling Electro Breaks that make heavy use of the driving elements from the original. It uses the iconic double laser stabs as well as the original melody. They use the vocals that in an abbreviated manner, but the voice is sung rather than a sample and is often sung through a vocoder. It is a serious piece of dancefloor destruction! Check it out!!

You can pick up a copy of the 12″ single on Discogs using the link below!

https://www.discogs.com/release/123679-B-Boy-Electric-Tainted-Love

Tainted Love Impact on EDM Through Remixes

The impact of Tainted Love on EDM is well represented in the remixers who have taken a crack at it. There are 12 remixes of it and most of them are EDM. In fact, in 2010 there is a remix album that has a host of remixes by respected EDM artists!

I thought it would be fun to look at a remix that is even more current to show the song is still making an impact! I’m talking about the 2021 remix by veteran House producer, DJ Hell. He makes a rolling House diddy. It has an infectious groove that comes in incrementally and builds to when the original vocals come in. The long instrumental intro makes it nice for mixing for all you House jocks! After highlighting the vocal in the middle of the song, DJ Hell pulls it back to instrumental and adds a new beat pattern similar to “Chase” by Giorgio Moroder. It’s a good track. Take a listen!

It is available on a 12″ single with several remixers and an acapella at Discogs using the link below!

https://www.discogs.com/master/2029165-Soft-Cell-Tainted-Love

Conclusion

The release of “Tainted Love” is a transformational moment in modern music history that goes on to introduce many future ravers to the sound of Electronic Music. It really is a masterpiece of early Synth Pop. It has all the elements to make a perfect example of what works on the dancefloor! Soft Cell make a major impact on the future of EDM. If you ever have a chance, check out some of their other songs, like “Sex Dwarf” or “Hendrix Medley”, which is a personal favorite! “tainted Love” is an all-time favorite dance song of mine!

I hope you enjoyed the stories and music in this episode! Definitely, check out the link to the Facebook post that dissects the song! It’s pretty cool! We have seen that the impact of Tainted Love on EDM has been varied and extensive! I love the musical examples in this episode. Now go on out and flex your knowledge to your friends and when talking shit at parties!

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New Order’s “Blue Monday” impact on EDM is MONUMENTAL! Unsurprisingly, it is the highest selling 12″ single of all time. There really isn’t a more iconic dance music song in my opinion! It is one of the first songs I ever heard mixed by a DJ. The song is made for dancefloors and for mixing.

“Blue Monday” is quite special to my heart. In 1983, when the song is released, I’m 13 years old. Now, the 80s were different when it came to clubs. There are clubs that allow under age patrons to attend starting at age 13. I went to a club that was upstairs from a gay bar/club. It is my first real introduction to DJs mixing the music. After 3 years of going there, I bought my first DJ setup in 1986 when I was 16 years old.

The song, “Blue Monday” was the first of its kind and fundamentally changed the course of dance music. In 1983 it is such a fresh, unique approach to dance music that incorporates the synth and guitar and vocals into a cohesive sound. There was nothing else like it!

Who Is New Order?

“New Order is a new wave/synth-pop band which formed in 1980 in Salford, England, United Kingdom by the three remaining members of Joy Division after the lead singer, Ian Curtis, committed suicide. The band’s classic lineup consists of Bernard Sumner (vocals, guitar, keyboards), Peter Hook (bass, electronic percussion), Gillian Gilbert (keyboards, guitar) and Stephen Morris (drums, keyboards).” – last.fm

New Order were huge visionaries in the early dance music culture of the 1980s. They successfully bridge synthesizer and guitar music into a danceable format. They are Factory Records’ most successful artists and even helped fund Factory’s club, Hacienda, that is famous as an EDM and House venue in the UK. That fits considering the type of music they make!

The group split up in 1993 after they had made 5 studio albums. They reformed in 1998 and went on to release 4 more albums. The original member, Peter Hook, left the band in 2007, but they added a new bassist and continued to release albums.

Blue Monday

“Blue Monday” is packed with all the elements of a perfect dance record. Add to that the fact that is 40 years old last year, and anyone would have to be impressed! It is also not surprising to me that it is the highest selling 12 inch single of all time! What a masterpiece!

The song starts with that famous highly synthetic beat pattern with the doubled beat at the end of the measure. I love the pattern! It is one of the most sampled aspects of the song. The bassline comes in pretty fast too. There is an amazing blend of a new wave/synth pop and electronic vibe as it blends the synthetic aspects with guitar and vocals. The balance of elements in the song is unmatched. It is made on a sequencer, so even the original is totally mixable by a DJ. Check it out!

You can pick up a copy of the best selling die-cut single 12″ single on Discogs.

https://www.discogs.com/release/20755-New-Order-Blue-Monday

Blue Monday Impact on EDM Though Samples

A total of 50 songs use samples from “Blue Monday”. The vast majority of those songs are EDM, but there are a few Rock and Hip Hop squeezed in there. 50 times is quite a lot, but there are almost twice the number of covers and remixes of it, which shows how strong the original is! That being said, there are some amazing songs that sample “Blue Monday”!

The song we are looking at today is a fantastic example of using key elements from the song, but still creating something unique and new. The artist Viper creates a beast with their song, “Blue Sunshine”! The song is really a mix between “Blue Monday” and the classic vocal that says, “Tripping on sunshine.” It starts with the bassline from “Blue Monday” and a beat of its own. As the song progresses it shifts to the classic drum pattern from “Blue Monday” with the double beats. Check it out!

You can pick up the 12″ single on Discogs using the link below.

https://www.discogs.com/release/85364-Viper-Blue-Sunshine

Blue Monday Impact on EDM Through Covers

“Blue Monday” has been covered a whopping 63 times over the years! There really is a wide range of covers from the obvious EDM to rock to pop to mellow stuff. One of the most famous was but Rock band Orgy, which actually had EDM remixes of it.

For our example, we’re looking at a cover today by Trance outfit, Cosmosis. It has the witty title of “Re-Order”. Even if it wasn’t a cover of “Blue Monday” it would be a pretty cool song. Add the aural nod to the melody of the original and it’s pretty memorable. It’s a high octane interpretation. The BPM (beats per minute) are much higher than the original. There’s the melody of “Blue Monday”, but it is played with a different keyboard. Laying over the top is a pretty sick Acid line.

The song is only available on CD in a mixed 2xCD compilation via Discogs using the link below.

https://www.discogs.com/release/677688-John-Phantasm-Strata

Blue Monday Impact On EDM Through Remixes

There are 15 remixes officially of “Blue Monday. They are all EDM and there’s some amazing takes on the original. My personal favorite is the one by Hardfloor. Hardfloor are masters of Acid tinged music and they do not hold back the Acid with this remix.

It starts exactly as the original mix does with the staccato of the beats and the bassline. It doesn’t take long before Hardfloor bring in their signature sound! The Acid builds melodically along with the natural build of the original. There are some other minor deviations, but essentially, other than the Acid, the song stays true to the original.

You can get a copy of the 12″ single with the Hardfloor and other remixes on Discogs using the link below.

https://www.discogs.com/release/143955-NewOrder-Blue-Monday-95

Conclusion

“Blue Monday”, by New Order has cemented itself as one of the greatest dance tunes of all time! 41 years old and it is still fully playable. Few songs can retain their freshness after so long! The “Blue Monday” impact on EDM is undeniable and profound! The song is a beast!

We hope you have enjoyed this episode on New Order’s epic “Blue Monday”! Now go spread your knowledge far and wide and show the world how educated you are in the history of the music we all love so much! Be sure to subscribe to get updates when we drop new content!

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Giorgio Moroder Impact on EDM

Giorgio Moroder impact on EDM is massive and widespread. He is the king of Electronic Disco. He is a major influence on House, Progressive House, Trance, Italo House, Disco House, and other genres. I’ve known who he is for years due to his work on “I Feel Love” by Donna Summer. That is the song that introduced him to the synthesizer as a musical instrument. However, that’s most of what I know about him. That, and that he does the song, “Chase”, which is the song we’ll explore today!

Let’s take a gander down the rabbit hole and learn who he is, how he impacts EDM, and what his music sounds like. He is known for introducing synthesizers to Disco and changed the course of Disco sound. When he first uses synthesizers on Donna Summer’s, “I Feel Love”, it was as if a light turns on for him and he shifts to all his orchestrations being by synthesizers. He literally said using a Moog synthesizer changed the way he looked at music production. He never looked back!

Who Is Giorgio Moroder?

Giorgio Moroder is an Italian music producer, songwriter, performer, and DJ that is responsible for some of the most iconic songs of all time! He is a major player in the Disco years and he heavily changed the direction Disco music took. His sound was more synthetic, based on synthesizers instead of orchestral compositions. This focus on the electronic leads to him helping shape the roots of EDM. His work with synthesizers had a large influence on several music genres such as Hi-NRG, Italo Disco, Synth-Pop, New Wave, House and Techno music.

Giorgio Moroder Impact on EDM is related to the early Electronic Music he made. It is ground-breaking stuff in the late 1970s. It is a new direction for Disco in the late 1970s. Songs like the one we’re exploring, “Chase”, as well as 16 studio albums, 3 compilation albums, 10 soundtracks, and 41 singles. Very prolific. He also did the music on literally scores of other musicians’ albums!

“Giorgio Moroders’ music charted success everywhere the Disco craze touched down but he is also responsible for some of the most classic film scores to date including Scarface and Midnight Express, as well as timeless soundtrack numbers like “Take My Breath Away” (Top Gun), Irene Cara’s Flashdance”, Blondie’s “Call Me” (American Gigolo), as well as compositions on films such as The NeverEnding Story, Superman III, Rambo III and Beverly Hills Cop II. From these, Moroder has accumulated three Academy Awards, four Golden Globes, four Grammys and more than 100 gold and platinum records. Giorgio Moroder was inducted into the Dance Music Hall of Fame in 2004.” (giorgiomoroder.com)

For more info on him, check out his official site:

Giorgio Moroder Impact on EDM Though “Chase”

Giorgio Moroder impact on EDM is nowhere more obvious than in his iconic song, “Chase”. “Chase” (also known as “The Chase”) is a 1978 instrumental composition. It was released as a single during 1978 from his Academy Award winning soundtrack album, “Midnight Express” (1978). It was especially made for the movie of the same name. The movie’s producer had specifically asked for a song in the same vein as Donna Summer’s “I Feel Love”, which Moroder had done the music for! and was a Disco instrumental that was subsequently extended and released as a maxi single.

It hit the Billboard Top 100 that year and peaked around 30. However, it is seen as a huge hit in the underground Disco clubs! It’s not difficult to understand why. The song was made using 2 early synthesizers including a Moog which was used to make the bassline!

The title, “Chase”. really makes sense when you hear the song. Its sound kinda like it “runs” forward and drags the dancer or listener forward! I love the instrumentation and how synthetic and driving it is! There’s nice keyboard work adding a second melody after the song gets go. Very danceable song! Take a listen!

You can get the song on vinyl on a single sided 12″ single at Discogs with the link below!

https://www.discogs.com/release/99486-Giorgio-Moroder-Chase

Giorgio Moroder Impact on EDM

“Chase: Impact Through Samples

Giorgio Moroder impact on EDM can be seen in the fact that it has samples in 19 EDM songs. The iconic “Chase” bassline and rolling keys are a natural fit in dance music and it has never lost its appeal. This one that samples “Chase” keeps the infectious groove that makes the original so memorable!

The song I’m talking about is, “It’s Set To Groove”, by veteran House producer Full Intention. Full Intention has been making Disco tinged House classics since the mid-90s! Their productions are always pumpin and full of energy. This particular song doesn’t lose the dancefloor sensibility that makes Full Intention such a powerful producer. Plus, their catalogue is full of Disco inspired gems, so remixing “Chase” is a classic fit to their established stable of sound!

For their song, Full Intention use multiple elements from the original. Included its the iconic bassline that gives the song its “chase” effect. It also uses some of the keys that add musicality. It’s a pumping, fun romp on the energetic side of Disco House. Take a listen!

You can pick up the 12 inch single on vinyl at Discogs using the link below.

https://www.discogs.com/release/338108-Full-Intention-Its-Set-To-Groove

Giorgio Moroder Impact on EDM Through Covers

“Chase” is covered by 7 EDM artists. Oddly, most of them are in the last 5 years or so. It seems that “Chase” has been receiving some new found love on dancefloors! However, it is not surprising due to how much of a dancefloor gem the original is!

In 2018, Fixions release a cover of the classic song under the same title. Largely, their mix mimics the original. However, it is given a tougher under-beat that helps modernize it and it also has multiple remakes of the original music to give it a more complex feel. Their cover is an impressive take on the classic. Take a listen!

The song can be found on a FLAC compilation on Discogs.

https://www.discogs.com/master/1432375-Various-Future-City-Records-Compilation-Vol-VI

Giorgio Moroder Impact on EDM Through Remixes

“Chase” is remixed 14 times, which is quite a lot! The remixes offer a wide range of styles that honor the original. This is definitely my favorite reimagining of “Chase” by Giorgio Moroder. The remix is done by veteran Trance outfit Jam & Spoon.

Jam & Spoon do a truly ingenious rework of the original. It offers up a smooth, silky, tranced out version that keeps a strong dancefloor sensibility. There is a strong beat and the “Chase” bassline, but it adds more ethereal elements to give it a modern Trance vibe. There’s additional keys as elements to flesh out the sound. Check it out!

The song is available on a 2xCD compilation of Jam & Spoon remixes via Discogs.

https://www.discogs.com/release/782761-Jam-Spoon-Remixes-Club-Classics

Conclusion

Ranging from sample use to covers to remixes, “Chase” has made a monumental impact on EDM! The groove is so powerful it truly has a timeless dancefloor home. The bassline is chunky and rolling and the melody is airy and dreamlike. A fever dream to be sure, but still a dream. The qualities are in abundance that make this song a true classic.

I hope you have enjoyed learning about one of the most influential dance tracks to ever be produced. Share your knowledge with peeps at raves, parties, and gatherings. Astound your friends with what you know. I always love learning new things about the music we all love and I hope this episode has sparked your interest and appreciation!

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Early Impact of Electro on Future Electro

The impact of Electro Funk and early Electro is huge on the world of evolving Breaks! So much is sampled, remixed, or covered. For me, this is very close to my heart, since Electro in the early 1980s was the first style of music I ever became obsessed with. It was where I lost my musical virginity. Now I’m a whore for good music! Although I do love a wide range of music, I’m particularly slutty for Breaks and Electro!

What Is Electro?

The journey of syncopated beats, called Breaks, is a tale that goes back to the very first modern popularized underground music. That is Jazz. The beat patterns of Jazz repeat to make a regular rhythm with an irregular pattern. They call this beat pattern a “Break”. This tradition was picked up by Funk, where the basslines were increased. Then in the early 1980s, the torch was handed to a new generation of sound. That sound was Electro Funk and Electro Boogie, or simply Electro.

It blends the beats of Jazz, the bass of Funk, and the inorganic tones of synthesizers and drum machines. There’s also commonly robotic voices rapping or sampling over it. The sound it introduces is something that is still being made today, essentially unchanged. There are basically two iterations of Electro that continue into today. One is from Electro Funk and is very synthetic and sharp. The other is based on Electro Boogie, a subset of early Electro that has a groovier, more organic sound. We’ll listen to an example of each style, because each style leads to a slightly different future!

The sound and formula for the music evolves but is never far from the original innovations of the early 1980s, when Breakdancers ruled the dancefloor! I was one of those Breakdancers! 13 years old and unstoppable… I was a Breakdancer not because I originally got into the dancing, but rather I became a Breakdancer because of the music! The sharp boing and tick of Electro rhythms and beats definitely gets me moving. It is rhythmic in a “funky” way. Add to that the highly synthetic sound of the music and some robot singing, and I can’t think of anything better!

Impact of Electro On EDM

In this episode we are going to just take a couple of the innumerable songs influenced by early Electro. There’s so many examples it is actually hard to spend any time listening to the broader category of Breaks without hearing impact of Electro from the originals. We’ll listen to the early 80s original and the future version that samples, covers, or remixes it!

Let’s explore two of the examples. The 1st one is Electro Boogie and the 2nd one is Electro Funk. That way you can see the progression and impact of each style. There are similarities and differences which will be easy for you to tell.

Impact of Electro – Song 1

“Nunk” by Warp 9

Here is the link to buy the 12″ single on Discogs.

https://www.discogs.com/release/50073-Warp-9-Nunk

As far as I know, there’s 2 albums by Warp 9. There’s also around 10 singles including “Nunk”. “Nunk” is a standout track that shows how much a song’s remix or sampling can stand up to the test of time. It is a great example of early Electro that transfers well to modern Breaks. This is the one we are exploring that comes from the tradition of Boogie, or Electro Boogie!

The original classic has a great, bouncy, dubby Electro beat. However, it is very unique for the time. It does not sound like “Jam On It” by Newcleus or “Freak-a-Zoid” by Midnight Star! It has almost a pre-Industrial vibe. The beat is catchy and fun. That’s one thing I like about Electro Boogie – it’s really fun! There is an organic element to the sounds used in Boogie.

Reuse of “Nunk”

Below is the link for a vinyl copy of the song on Discogs!

https://www.discogs.com/master/146048-Freq-Nasty-Freqazoid

“Nunk” is sampled in a few songs, but it sounds like a Big Beat Break and certainly is known as a unique record to emulate. The use of the song we are looking at is the sampling of the beat in a Freq Nasty song. Veteran Breaks badass, Freq Nasty, beefs up the “Nunk” beat and blends it with samples from other Electro Funk classics. It really works and has a great grooviness to it.

Impact of Electro – Song 2

“Looking For The Perfect Beat” by Afrika Bambaataa & Soulsonic Force

Here is the link to purchase the song on vinyl at Discogs:

https://www.discogs.com/release/27104-Afrika-Bambaataa-Soulsonic-Force-Looking-For-The-Perfect-Beat

“Looking For The Perfect Beat” is a huge classic with Breakdancing history. Bambaataa is largely considered the father of Electro Funk, and he was instrumental in its success and evolution. He is responsible for other iconic Electro Funk songs like “Planet Rock”. Afrika Bambaataa is noteworthy because he, “seamlessly blended electronic sounds, drum machines, and futuristic synthesizers with traditional funk and hip-hop elements”. (online bio)

Bambaataa was one of the very first DJs playing Hip Hop and Electro. He became famous for the parties he threw in the late 1970s and early 1980s. The parties become showcases for new music, new sounds, dance culture, and advancements in the DJing artform.

He certainly accomplishes much with “Looking For The Perfect Beat”. It has a pumping Electro beat that is sharp and poppin. It includes some fancy keyboard work and has some nice sing/rap vocals. It’s a great example of the early origins of Electro. I have a copy of the 12″ single on vinyl myself.

Reuse of “Looking For The Perfect Beat”

This particular mix is available on the double pack with remixes for a measly $10 at Discogs!

https://www.discogs.com/release/4115210-Link-E621-Antacid

When Jedi Knights are “Looking For The Perfect Beat”, they find it with their use of the original in their remix of “Antacid”! There is everything a perfect Electro song should have! Jedi Knights are a prolific music production team that uses a wide array of monikers. They produce as Jedi Knights, Wish Mountain, Global Communication, Secret Ingredients, and more…

They do the original of the song we are looking at under the name, Link & E621, another one of their pseudonyms. The actual title is “Antacid (Jedi Knights Remix)” by Link & E621. It’s a beautiful example of Electro that shows where the genre went, but also remembers its roots.

The song samples multiple early Electro Funk songs, including “Looking For The Perfect Beat”. It uses the basic beat pattern from the Bambaataa song. The tune is very recognizable. It beefs it up with chunky sub-bass and tight synth stabs with a cool vocoder voice sample and scratching.

Conclusion

The impact of Electro can still be heard in new releases by artists releasing today. There’s a strong Electro and Breaks culture right now that still embraces much of the early draw of Electro in the early 1980s. The sound is there in the music, breakdancers still form circles to show off their skills, and there are still parties that focus only on Electro and its companion, Breaks! It can even be argues the Electro is the grandfather of Drum & Bass and Jungle.

I think it’s fun to realize those early Electro sounds took two different but related paths moving forward. Electro Funk transitions to Electro, Electro Techno, Dark Electro, etc, while Electro Boogie transitions into Big Beat, Breaks, Nu Skool, and more. I like that Breaks has a shared culture with several musical traditions. It feels nice to see there is a linear history to the rise of Breaks and Electro.

I hope you have had some fun with this episode. I love Breaks and hope you have enough interest to explore it a bit. There’s lots of Breaks and Electro coming out now by artists like Dawl, BufoBufo, Andy Page, Moy, and many more! I enjoyed researching and writing this episode. Share the site with your friends and be sure you subscribe for updates on new episodes and content!

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Oxygene Impact as the Grandfather of Progressive House

https://www.discogs.com/release/1519953-Jean-Michel-Jarre-Oxyg%C3%A8ne

For years, even decades, I have heard about the “Oxygene” impact on Electronic Dance Music and indeed on all synthesizer music. It is time to learn what all the hype is about! This song is considered the first Progressive House or Trance music ever made. How can you not want to know what that is and what it sounds like. Add to that the fact it is a 1976 release, so, 47 years old, and color me intrigued!

When you listen, it is easy to comprehend why “Oxygene” is considered the first Progressive House and Trance ever. The lush, synthetic soundscapes and a catchy beat chugging along is the exact recipe! Several of the various versions of “Oxygene” stand out! In this episode we are going to look at 2 songs from the “Oxygene” album. That is “Oxygene II” and “Oxygene IV”.

Who Is Jean-Michel Jarre?

Jean-Michel Jarre is a French composer, performer and record producer. He is a pioneer in the Electronic, Ambient and New Age genres, and is known for organizing outdoor spectacles featuring his music, accompanied by vast laser displays, large projections, and fireworks. – that’s the basics from Wikipedia.

The important thing is that his art with Electronic Music is visionary! He was raised in a climate of open expression and was surrounded by musicians, street performers, and artists. That influences him greatly. When grows up, he buys synthesizers and sets up a studio in his kitchen at home.

In that studio he produces his first major success! It is his 1976 album, “Oxygene”. It is a staple for everyone who explores the origins of Electronic Music. Now I’ve put it into my repertoire! He has many albums after “Oxygene” that were also well received. His live performances are what really stand out! He still holds the record for largest music event ever for a concert he had in Moscow, Russia, that had 3.5 million attendees! He is still alive and performing.

Oxygene Impact

“Oxygene II”

Upon hearing “Oxygene II” for the first time, I instantly recalled when I had heard it! It is famous for its soundtrack use in movies! The movie I tie it to is the Australian movie starring a young Mel Gibson about the First World War called, “Gallipoli”.

“Oxygene II” has a nice bouncing beat that pushes it forward and gives it that Progressive House” vibe! The music is best described as intelligent and thoughtful but emotive. It has a sense of telling a story. In the movie scene in “Gallipoli” that uses it, the two main characters are running to catch up to a wandering hermit that knows the desert so they don’t die of thirst in the Australian outback! It fits perfect with the song!

The sound synthesis in “Oxygene II” is beautifully crafted with clean separated sounds that create a harmony. It really feels like it is telling a story and taking you on an aural journey. Take a listen!

There is no vinyl single but here is the link for the 1979 vinyl album release for “Oxygene”.

https://www.discogs.com/release/1519953-Jean-Michel-Jarre-Oxyg%C3%A8ne

“Oxygene II” Remix

The relevance of the original song, “Oxygene II” is in how it sets a standard for future Progressive House and Trance songs to follow. Also, that it is the first! There’s a huge number of songs influenced by it. 47 years ago, it was the first to ever make the vibe and style followed as a norm by Progressive House and Trance. Other than its impact on those genres, its influence can be directly heard.

“Oxygene II” has a huge impact on Electronic music through the years. The sounds from the original are in 19 songs that sample it. One that stands out for me is the 1994 “Smokin Japanese Babes” by Future Sound of London. It’s a masterpiece of Intelligent Dance Music/Ambient Dub as only FSOL can do it. Their song samples multiple sound effects from “Oxygene II”.

We will look at a more dancey song that uses it! The majority of songs sampling it are actually Hip Hop and Downtempo. We are going to look at a remix of it that is done by Soul Machine. Their version seriously beefs up the beat and drive and tune it to an even more Progressive slant! Check it out!

More Oxygene Impact

“Oxygene IV”

“Oxygene IV” is also instantly recognizable! A magazine, The Guardian, described it as “an instantly recognizable hook that rides on a bossa nova beat to explore the galaxies”. It is also used in the Grand Theft Auto IV soundtrack and in the BBC drama “Micro Men” for any Brits reading the blog!

“Oxygene II” is a great example as the origin or Progressive House and Trance, but “Oxygene IV” fits the sound even more! It has a wonderful bouncing beat the pulls you rhythmically forward in 4/4 time. There is lush synthetic melodies that run through the song and build, creating a “journey” feel to the song. It is exactly “Progressive”! It has a 1977 release date as a single with an extended version. Take a listen!

Here is the link for the vinyl album of “Oxygene” that contains “Oxygene IV”.

https://www.discogs.com/release/1519953-Jean-Michel-Jarre-Oxyg%C3%A8ne

“Oxygene IV” Remix

“Oxygene IV” is a song many other songs sample – 10 times. There are also 18 covers and 3 remixes. A song like “Oxygene IV” demands a smokin remix! That’s exactly what it gets. The remix duties we are looking at are handled by veteran Trance outfit, Astral Projection.

Their version uses a strong, driving 4/4 beat. There are added stabbing synths and drum builds that create an extremely high energy interpretation. Add to all that the atmospheric sounds from the original tying it together and you have a serious tune! Take a listen!

Conclusion

There are some great remixes, covers, and sample use of the “Oxygene” versions we look at. However, the real important fact is that “Oxygene” is the first to ever make music like what is now commonplace in Progressive House and Trance. 47 years ago! It is a most impressive feat!

The “Oxygene” impact can be felt reverberating through the Electronic Dance Music we all listen to. It is from a time when the first exploration of synthesizer based music began. In the 1970s, other musicians like Kraftwerk and Brian Eno were experimenting with making totally electronic based music, and Jean-Michel Jarre is certainly in the group of pioneers with them!

Cutting edge, innovative, timeless, and beautiful are all words that describe the album “Oxygene” I hope you learned as much about this EDM root as I did in researching and writing this episode! I hope you enjoyed the music samples! Tune back in soon for another episode. Be sure to subscribe so you get notice when new content drops! Remember, knowing about the music makes you cooler!

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Bohannon Impact On Dance Music

Of all the “Proto-House” producers and artists from the early 1980s, the Bohannon impact is my absolute favorite! I was first introduced to his sound when I was quite young. In 1983 I was 13 years old and it is when I became voracious for good music! I get turned on to his sound by a musical mentor…a radio disc jockey I listen to every week for their weekend show. Years later, in the early 1990s, another musical mentor, San Diego based Mark E Quark, re-introduces me to Bohannon. Specifically, the song, “Let’s Start II Dance Again”!

My fresh ears from experience listening to House and Hip Hop allowed me to resonate with the rappy Disco lyrics and the smart, funky House beat. Second time’s the charm! That I could be re-introduced to a song 10 years later and it has become even more relevant shows how far ahead of his time Bohannon is! “Let’s Start II Dance Again”, is the song that has stood the test of time! I still play it in a Disco tinged /House set!

Bohannon Impact on EDM

Bohannon impact and the influence of songs like, “Let’s Start II Dance Again” have been huge on the evolution of dance music! EDM has a host of songs sampling and remixing Bohannon. That’s the Bohannon impact! Bohannon impact is his style of music influencing the creation of House in the early 1980s.

He called his sound, “4 On the Floor”! He uses the term “4 On the Floor” because he crafted a repetitive, straight kick drum pattern to be the backbone for other musicians to play over. The “4 on the floor” beat pattern is also really fun to dance to! Enter House! House is a genre we all know well, and this song is a very strong and early example of the origin of the “4 on the floor” beat we all love!

Who Is Bohannon?

Hamilton Bohannon, or simply Bohannon, was born Hamilton Frederick Bohannon in Newnan, GA, on 7 March 1942 and died 24 April 2020. He is a hugely influential musician and producer that created a stylized signature sound he referred to as “4 On the Floor”. It is one of his most important contributions to the future of dance music.”4 On the Floor” has a repetitive even beat structure that the kick drum drops evenly on 1/4 notes. It is the same beat pattern that is adopted by House, Trance, Techno, etc.

Bohannon started early in the Funk movement as a back-up musician and band member. “After earning a music degree from Atlanta’s Clark College, he was hired as a drummer by Stevie Wonder and moved to Detroit, where he was a bandleader and arranger for Motown tours until he joined Dakar/Brunswick in 1972.” (last.fm). After 1972 he releases his own music.

Largely, his music is popular primarily on the dance floor! Gotta love a man who makes music for the dancefloor! “He had several songs that were successful club records, but only mild R&B hits, among them “South African Man,” “Foot Stompin’ Music,” “Disco Stomp,” and “Bohannon’s Beat.”: (last fm). In 1978 he had his first big hit, “Start the Dance”. “Let’s Start II Dance again”, the song we are exploring is a reimagining of the 1978 hit! From 1981 – 1984, Bohannon runs Phaze II Records and that is when his most “House Sounding” songs are made!

Bohannon Interview

Below you can find a link to an interview done by the news in 2017 with Hamilton Bohannon in his home town in Georgia! It is hosted on The Diana Ross Project.

Bohannon Impact Through “Let’s Start II Dance Again”

There’s not a lot of songs in dance Music history that are as perfectly balanced as “Let’s Start II Dance Again”! Plus, it is proven timeless by the sample use continuing into modern day. The song is so chock full of quality sounds that it is not surprising samples from it are in many songs.

Twenty eight songs sample “Let’s Start II Dance Again. There is even a sanctioned remix of it! The song uses Bohannon’s signature “4 On the Floor” beat to attack the dancefloor and drive forward the music! There is a strong Funk element to the instrumentation, but the song is more appropriately called Disco, and in retrospect, Proto-House. Rounding the song out is several vocal elements, including a vocal stab saying, “Everybody, Get on up and dance!”, a rapping male vocal, and a vocal sample from a 1978 Instant Funk record.

All the characteristics mesh beautifully to create a seamless musical experience that emotionally builds excitement and energy! It is a song for the dancefloor and clubs! I still mix it into my House sets now! Take a listen!

Here is the link to purchase the 12″ vinyl on Discogs:

https://www.discogs.com/release/203531-Bohannon-Lets-Start-II-Dance-Again

Bohannon Impact in Sampling Songs

“Let’s Start II Dance Again” is sampled in songs that run the breadth of EDM history from early jackin Hip House to recent releases. The first song we look at that samples the Bohannon hit is a 1989 hit by L.A. Mix. It is, “Get Loose”. Notably, It samples multiple elements from the original, but most notable is the vocal stab that wails, “Everybody!” It is a great example of Hip House from the peak of Hip House popularity in 1989.

The Song uses a funky but jackin House beat common in early House. It has tight percussion and highs. Together it produces a very dance-friendly tune. Enough may be enough for most House, but this was Hip House. Add the rapping of Jazzi P and you have a great tune! Oddly enough, Jazzi P raps on a totally different song the samples, “Let’s Start II Dance Again”. That song is “Shocked” by Kylie Minogue and features Jazzi P on vocals. Take a listen to “Get Loose”, by L.A. Mix!

Here is the link to purchase the 12″ vinyl on Discogs:

https://www.discogs.com/release/204417-LA-Mix-Featuring-Jazzi-P-Get-Loose-Not-For-Long-Mix

Bohannon Impact in Sampling Songs – Song 2

Bohannon’s music continues to be relevant to dance music. It has been relevant since it was first released in 1981. We just listened a song from the early days of House that uses the samples. Let’s look at a more recent example!

The next song we are looking at is from 2010. Like the first example, it uses multiple elements. The producers are Mr Oizo & Gaqspard Auge and the song is “TV Slut”. The song is a current sounding vision of House. Straight video game like beat with an electronic lo-fi sound. Twisted vocals as well. It is most notably has a sample starting around 1:45 in…. Take a listen!

The album this song appears on is not available on vinyl. It is available on this CD and also various mixed CDs.

https://www.discogs.com/release/5151070-Mr-Oizo-Gaspard-Aug%C3%A9-Rubber-Original-Soundtrack

“Let’s Start II Dance Again” Remix

Any great song begs a quality remix. A song as revolutionary as “Let’s Start II Dance Again”, is going to be remixed! However, it does not need to be changed much! Why mess with perfection?! That is the approach legendary Disco House producer, Dmitri From Paris has!

Dimitri does very little to it in actuality. The beat is cleaner and fully sequenced so it can be beat mixed easily by a DJ. Musically there is almost no difference! Overall, the song just sounds freshened up with light edits to bridge anything that doesn’t keep up to the times….which isn’t very much. Honestly, I think it’s an excellent choice to purchase and play in your modern House sets!! It’s also a great record because it has 2 remixes on one side and the original Bohannon version on the other! Take a listen!

Here is the link to purchase the 12″ vinyl on Discogs:

https://www.discogs.com/release/23282993-Bohannon-Featuring-Dr-Perri-Johnson-Lets-Start-To-Dance-Again-Dimitri-From-Paris-Remix

Conclusion

Bohannon really is my favorite producer of a House sound during the Disco years, and “Let’s Start II Dance Again”, is my favorite song by him. I’m glad I got to share some stories and music with you! His song represents a timeless sound that is still being reproduced and mimicked 40 years later!

That’s a truly phenomenal accomplishment. My favorite part of the song is that it seamlessly blends multiple styles of music! Disco, House, Rap, Jazz, and Soul are all clearly represented in the song! I find that amazing and truly inspirational. Keeping your mind and ears open to the best sounds in all genres exponentially increases your appreciation and love for music. I love how Bohannon hears the groove alive in so many different styles of music! He hears the bits of groove, collects them, and puts then together in a way never done before! A way that creates a timeless dance masterpiece!

I hope you’ve enjoyed this episode! It is great to be back researching, remembering, and writing a new episode for you all! There will be more to come! Be sure to subscribe so you get updated when a new episode drops! Use the link below!

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The song by Loose Joints, “Is It All Over My Face” impact on EDM is much like many “Proto-House” Disco tunes. It has been sampled and emulated on the regular! The early 1980s is a wonderful time in dance music history. So much fun and fancy music! It is the time Disco began to sound incredibly close to House. This “Proto-House” sound became the sound of New York in the early 1980s, which was the sound of Disco!

We have done several episodes on the amazing label, Westend Records. Loose Joints has multiple great classics and even several versions of the song, “Is It All Over My Face”! I know the samples from the female vocal one from the songs that sample it. I have heard songs with male vocals I really enjoy, but generally I enjoy female vocals more. There’s a sultry, soulful quality to a beautiful female voice that is unmatched!

The story of the making of “Is It All Over My Face” is quite an adventure! It is immortalized in a book and a documentary about the DJ turned Producer and the musician who conceived the song. The story is a raver/clubber’s dream come true. The story bops around New York City’s night life scene from discotheque to loft party to studio! It is a hedonistic life! It is a tail of incredible talent and a deep love of the music and culture that meant dance in that day.

Loose Joints Bio and Story

Arthur Russell and Steve D’Acquisto are the minds behind the music of Loose Joints. D’Acquisto is a DJ of substantial popularity whose popularity became more substantial after he begins to make the music! Together they create the song, “Is It All Over My Face.” Arthur Russell has some minor fame at the time due to a song he has called, “Kiss Me Again”. That song was being played by Richie Kaczor, the principal DJ at Studio 54, where it “got everybody on the dance floor,” according to Kaczor.

Russell frequented gay bars and a place called The Loft, which was owned and run by famous music partier, DJ, and party host, David Mancuso. He showed his music off and made important contacts that would help him bust onto the music scene. People like David Mancuso. Mancuso became very fond of Arthur Russell, even though it took awhile as they are both shy people. “Arthur was a human musical instrument,” says Mancuso. “He was a very old spirit. He had been around the cosmic circle many times.”

Loose Joints Approach To Making Music

Working as co-producers, Arthur and D’Acquisto set about creating music. They approached and were signed by Westend Records. They both decide that they want to have a spectacular rhythm section to keep a pristine Disco dancefloor sound. Arthur and D’Acquisto approach the Ingram brothers, a family of Philadelphia musicians who had performed on other Disco records. They then hit the studio!

Arthur is a Buddhist that believes in flow of thought and believes music comes from a well of universal inspiration whose existence causes music as a byproduct. He attempts to use that framework to produce the sound of Loose Joints. They entered the studio during a full moon in February of 1979. Their goal was to recreate the energy of the downtown dance floor in the recording studio! They even invited party-goes and local club singers to create atmosphere for their recording!

The Song “Is It All Over My Face”

All those elements come together in the song, “Is It All Over My Face”! The song is a direct mirror of Arthur’s view on music’s origin. “He felt that disco proceeded out of some matrix, that something was bubbling away there that resulted in this music, and it needed this background in order to stay vital. Without the milieu, the music wouldn’t exist, and it would also be strengthened by connecting with it.” “Is It All Over My Face” impact is largely to this freeform approach to music production.

During the recording of the song, party-goers in the studio played random percussion instruments while off kilter vocals were sung as back up vocalists to supplement the lead singers. A Female and a Male version of the song are available. By the end of the second session recording it there were 14 reels of 24-track tape. That is usually pretty overwhelming for anyone to edit, but they went at it to orchestrate a masterpiece of dance music!

In the beginning of 1980, West End released the 12-inch single of “Is It All Over My Face”. It clocked in at 9 and a half minutes which was nearly 2 minutes shorter then the song that D’Acquisto and Arthur gave Westend. It has a somewhat chaotic percussion intro that develops into a strong Disco beat. However, it definitely had the “post-Disco” sound that New York was beginning to embrace. There are off-key and gruff sections of singing and funky instrumentation. Take a listen!

You can pick up a copy of the 12-inch single on vinyl at Discogs:

https://www.discogs.com/release/235302-Loose-Joints-Is-It-All-Over-My-Face

You can get a compilation of Westend Records on Amazon Music using the link below:

https://www.amazon.com/b?_encoding=UTF8&tag=edgeofedm-20&linkCode=ur2&linkId=9ccaad64862f17b2235e1b71d96ffe18&camp=1789&creative=9325&node=324382011

“Is It All Over My Face” Impact Through Samples

The quirkiness of “Is It All Over My Face” makes the song irresistible for discerning music producers. The song has samples in 18 songs. It seems especially popular with House music producers from Chicago and New York and in classic sounding Chicago and New York House. Regularly, the vocals as well as the Disco sentiments are in samples in other songs. 18 songs sample “Is It All Over My Face”.

The song we are using as an example here is by veteran Disco House producer, Travis Nelson and is called, “Egg On My Face”. Like other songs by DJ Sneak or Underground Solution, it samples the words, “Is it all over my face?” The song has a nice House beat that is bouncing and quite catchy. There is a nice, bubbly Disco vibe with acoustic instruments and cool keys. The original song is quite popular to sample by American House producers. This one is a good example of the “Is It All Over My Face” impact. Take a listen!

You can pick up a copy of this song (and several other good Disco House songs) on the Tunnel of Love EP on Discogs:

https://www.discogs.com/release/112003-Travis-Nelson-Tunnel-Of-Love

You can get a digital copy of Travis Nelson’s music using the link below to Amazon Music:

https://www.amazon.com/b?_encoding=UTF8&tag=edgeofedm-20&linkCode=ur2&linkId=412e09b39ebbcf06dd7fde8438aad8e4&camp=1789&creative=9325&node=324382011

“Is It All Over My Face” Impact Through Covers

Honestly, I was guessing that the original would be covered more than it is. It has only 3 covers. One of the covers is a Rock version, so we’re gonna skip that one. The other one is a smooth, slow paced House jam by Arthur’s Landing. Their version is called “Is It All Over My Face Pt 1”. The 12-inch single has an alternate version with the same title, but “Pt 2”. It has a crooning female vocal and is a fun, soulful groove. It has plinky piano twinkles and some jazzy instrumentation. Take a listen.

You can get a copy of the vinyl with both versions on it at Discogs:

https://www.discogs.com/release/2590748-Arthurs-Landing-Is-It-All-Over-My-Face

You can get a digital copy of the Arthur’s Landing album using the search link for Amazon Music listed below:

https://www.amazon.com/b?_encoding=UTF8&tag=edgeofedm-20&linkCode=ur2&linkId=412e09b39ebbcf06dd7fde8438aad8e4&camp=1789&creative=9325&node=324382011

“Is It All Over My Face” Impact Through Remixes

There is actually two official remixes on Westend Records. It is a 2001 remix 12-inch single that has both mixes on it. They are done by one of the best House production groups in all of EDM, Kenny Dope and Louie Vega, also known as Masters at Work. We are using the full remix instead of the “Joint Dub”. Obviously, since it is an actual remix, it uses the original vocals in their entirety. It uses a strong, pulsing House beat that is dancefloor gold. It is surprising that so far after its heyday, Westend releases remixes of the song. It’s 20 years after the original hit popularity.

As I stated earlier, American House producers really love the Loose Joints song. New York is where Westend Records is from, so it makes sense to use a New York House duo. I really love the modernization of the song. It trims down the stranger vocals and adds some nice piano lines. It’s a great rendition! Take a listen!

You can get a copy of the official release on Westend from 2001 that has both remixes on it at Discogs:

https://www.discogs.com/release/58340-Loose-Joints-MAW-Is-It-All-Over-My-Face-MAW-Remixes-All-Night-I-Can-Do-It-Right

Tying It Up

Loose Joint’s “Is It All Over My Face” impact is felt on dancefloors throughout the world. It seems that the US in House music is where the greatest influence is felt. It is common with “Proto-House” Disco from labels like Westend Records. We have done several other episodes highlighting songs from the Westend catalogue. There is Raw Silk, “Do It To The Music” and Time, “Girl I Like The Way You Move”, our first episode!

We hope you have enjoyed the continuing exploration of “Proto-House” Disco’s influence on EDM. There really are some fascinating stories! I love sharing the stories and many of them I learn myself for the first time while researching the episodes. Now it’s your chance to go forth and share your newfound knowledge!

Explore the other articles and episodes on the site! There’s lots of great content on EDM and the songs, artists, parties, etc that have shaped the music and scene. Be sure to subscribe so you get updated when new content drops!

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What an amazing title for a song! “Last Night A DJ Saved My Life” by Indeep has a title every dancer in the world can relate to! I know I can! DJs have saved my life and expanded my mind more times than I can count. Also, more times than I can count, people have come to me after a set or even years later to tell me how my set has inspired them, filled them with hope, imbibed them with love, and resurrected their soul. It is one of the best aspects of DJing – period! “Last Night A DJ Saved My Life” impact is a true story!

“Last Night A DJ Saved My Life” is inspirational late-stage Disco! The early 80s were an amazing time for music! They were an amazing time for Disco! It was the most direct predecessor to modern House with its “Proto-House” sounds. Many of the songs from that period are playable in House sets!

“Last Dight A DJ Saved My Life” is a song from 1982, so around they same time as most of my favorite Disco. Groups like Time, Bohannon, and Raw Silk were at their height! Labels like Westend, Prelude, and Casablanca had some of their most successful releases. The popularity of music sales had moved to the 12-inch single. Plus, Disco was fully “Proto-House” by that time! I was a brand new teenager and it was all so fresh and amazing!

Indeep Bio and Fame

Indeep is a early 1980s group based in New York. The group was led by its songwriter-musician Michael Cleveland. The group is best known for their song, “Last Night a DJ Saved My Life”. Indeep is known for employing a strong disco-esque bass line and early Hip Hop vocal elements and rap/sang backed by two female singers. They are able to create a fun, funky, soulful, danceable sound that is infectious to the dancer!

Unfortunately, their follow up songs were met with little success. That puts them in the “one-hit wonder” category. However, that one hit is a monster of a tune. One of the back-up singers, Magloire, went on to sing for Belgian Techno-Hip House group, Technotronic. In 2011, Peter A. Mercury, who published, managed, produced and toured with many top artists for many years convinced Cleveland to reform the band. Magloire and Ramsey were replaced by Beckie Bell and WiX.

“Last Night A DJ Saved My Life” Song

“Last Night a D.J. Saved My Life” was released on Sound of New York/Becket Records in 1982, but it hit peak popularity in summer of 1983. It hit the Top 10 in the US on both the R&B and Club charts. The song is also very popular in Europe and the UK. It is a 12-inch single release. “The 12″ mix was notable at the time for including a purely vocal accapella mix, an instrumental mix plus a track of sound effects contained in the song such as a toilet flushing and a phone ringing. The aim was to encourage mixing in the emerging New York DJ scene of the early 1980s and elsewhere.” – Indeep Bio.

The song has a widespread affect on dancefloors in 1982 and 1983. In later years, the vocals primarily, but really all the elements have a huge impact on dance music from the 80s to the 90s on through the decades of the 2000s. It has a strong “Proto-House” 4 on the Floor dance beat with early “House Party Rap” style vocals. The overall feel is that of the early House and late Disco sound popular particularly in New York. It is a classic for House, Hip Hop, Disco, and R&B. Take a listen and see what you think!!

You can pick up a copy of this classic on 12-inch single through Discogs!

https://www.whosampled.com/Indeep/Last-Night-a-D.J.-Saved-My-Life/

Additionally, you can get a digital copy using the link below for Amazon Music.

https://www.amazon.com/b?_encoding=UTF8&tag=edgeofedm-20&linkCode=ur2&linkId=412e09b39ebbcf06dd7fde8438aad8e4&camp=1789&creative=9325&node=324382011

“Last Night A DJ Saved My Life” Impact Through Samples

“Last Night A DJ Save My Life” impact through the use of samples is largely due to the vocals. You may recall that the 12-inch single includes a vocal acapella. That makes the vocals easy to sample! The song has been sampled by 179 other songs. Multiple vocal elements are regularly taken. My personal favorite is the snippet that say, “You gotta get up, you gotta get down”. In fact my favorite song that samples “Last Night A DJ Saved My Life” uses those words.

My favorite song using the sample unfortunately does not have a YouTube link so we’re not going to use it. For those who are curious, the record is Tribal Tee – “Tee’s Groove” and it is kind of a dancefloor classic in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA. I’ve played it a lot!

For this episode we picked a different song that uses the same sample. It is a bouncy, pumpin House track. It uses, “You gotta get up!” repeatedly and than after a bunch of times it says, “You gotta get down!” It’s a fun song. The song is by Gant Garrard and it’s called, “You Gotta Get Up”. It is from a 1999 release on Dust Trax. Take a listen.

You can pick up a copy of this record on 12-inch single on Discogs:

https://www.discogs.com/release/1969-Gant-Garrard-You-Gotta-Get-Up

Digital copies of the song can be found using the link below for Amazon Music:

https://www.amazon.com/b?_encoding=UTF8&tag=edgeofedm-20&linkCode=ur2&linkId=412e09b39ebbcf06dd7fde8438aad8e4&camp=1789&creative=9325&node=324382011

Last Night A DJ Saved My Life Impact Through Covers

“Last Night A DJ Saved My Life” impact in covers is substantial. It is a great song with amazing lyrics that are profound to anyone that has been healed by a night out dancing away their problems. It has been covered in 29 songs. The nice part of the song from the perspective of doing a cover is the vocals are easy to adjust to fit anyone’s version of the song.

There are EDM, Hip Hop, Pop, R&B, and even Soul/Disco covers of the song. Obviously, for our example we will listen to an EDM version of the cover. There’s a lot to choose from. Surprisingly, most of the EDM covers are from after the year 2000. It became very popular later on.

The song we’re using is from 2013. It is by a famous House producer named Milk, Inc. The use the exact title of the original. There is a smokey, sexy vocalist over a bouncy, moody House track. It is uplifting, energetic and moving. Later into the song it becomes a hands up happy club track. There’s DJ-like filter sweeps. Great party tune. An excellent cover! Here’s a video of Milk Inc performing their rendition live. Take a listen!

The song is not available on vinyl and even the CD single is extremely rare and expensive on Discogs:

https://www.discogs.com/master/539046-Milk-Inc-Last-Night-A-DJ-Saved-My-Life

Last Night A DJ Saved My Life Impact Through Remixes

The urge to remix a classic sound is often too much to resist. There are always many exceptional artists who vie to remix a great tune. That is true in this case as well! “Last Night A DJ Saved My Life” is remixed a total of only 3 times. Two of the times, they did the remix as a mashup with another famous Disco song.

The third remix of it is done by Sylk 13 for Ultimix, the famous remix service. The song is remixed into a pumpin House mix that has a jackin feel. It keeps strong Disco sensibilities. They use the original vocals, as opposed to a cover vocalist. It is a fun, danceable romp. It breaks down into Hip Hop beats in the middle. Take a listen!

The song is available on Ultimix Vol 66 on Discogs:

https://www.discogs.com/master/464070-Various-Ultimix-66

Conclusion

Let’s be real. The actual draw of “Last Night A DJ Saved My Life” is the vocals. It is awesome that the original 12-inch single includes a vocal accapella as well as an instrumental and a sound effects track. It has made sampling the song’s iconic lyrics so very easy. Anyone who goes dancing has a connection to the words in the song! How can you not love, “You gotta get up, you gotta get up, you gotta get down!”? Or the title words sung!

We hope you’ve really enjoyed this episode! There’s some great music in this episode. Usually we try to showcase the impact on a few different genres of music. However, all the songs in this episode were House. That’s okay though… The original lends itself to House as it is a “Proto-House” Disco tune. The vocals might not work as well in DnB.

Remember what you’ve learned. Explore the site for other articles and content. Be sure to subscribe using the link below!

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There’s an enormous number of songs that are considered classic House and Drum-N-Bass songs that use the vocal sample that says, “Music’s hypnotizing.” I knew they all had to come from the same sample. I greatly suspected it was from a Disco song. After a little research, I found the original song the sample came from. That song is “Do It To The Music” by Raw Silk on Westend Records. The Raw Silk “Do It To The Music” impact is enormous. It has leeched into nearly a hundred songs.

Westend Records is one of my favorite Disco labels and has a bunch of real gems on it. Even our very first episode was another Westend Records song! You can always expect to hear samplable songs on the label. Personally, I love learning where famous House songs take their catchy samples. There’s something very satisfying about finding the roots of a song or sample! Then buying it so you can do a megamix of the original and the newer song to the amazement of dancers! It’s pretty great.

Westend Records

Westend Records began in 1976 in New York City. It has an odd claim to fame in that it is directly responsible for the move from 7-inch singles to the larger 12-inch singles with longer play . Thanks, Westend! The label was founded by Mel Cheren and Ed Kushins. The label went on to define the sound of New York City in the heyday of disco.

West End released disco hits like Time’s “Girl I Like The Way You Move”, Taana Gardner’s “Heartbeat,” Karen Young’s “Hot Shot,” Loose Joints’ “Is It All Over My Face,” Barbara Mason’s “Another Man,” The NYC Peech Boys’ “Don’t Make Me Wait”, and of course Raw Silk’s “Do It To The Music”. These titles, along with many others in the West End Records catalog, went on to become some of the most sampled songs in music history. They created a Disco movement that was only matched by a few other labels, such as Prelude and Casablanca. They occupy a rarified place in music history!

Westend Records is credited with pushing the sound made popular at New York’s famouse club, the Paradise Garage. The DJ there was one of the most famous DJs of all time, Larry Levan. The existence of the club is where the name “Garage House” comes from. Westend Records is the label that championed that sound. Surprisingly, there’s even a documentary about it. The Godfather of Disco is a 2006 feature-length documentary based on Mel Cheren’s autobiography, My Life and the Paradise Garage: Keep On Dancin directed by Gene Graham and produced by Determined Pictures.

Raw Silk “Do It To The Music” Impact

Raw Silk’s “Do It To The Music” impact as an amazing proto-House tune from the late Disco era is unmissable. It is from 1982. As I mentioned earlier, Westend was instrumental in creating the popularity of the 12-inch single. Therefore, “Do It To The Music” is available as a 12-inch single. There is the original mix and a Dub mix on the record. Both sides are pretty amazing! Both sides have been extensively sampled! The intro of the Dub mix is a sampler’s dream with soloed vocals that have been used in many songs! Here we are using the Original Mix. Take a listen to this Disco (House) gem!

You can pick up a copy of the 12-inch single on vinyl from Discogs:

https://www.discogs.com/release/67019-Raw-Silk-Do-It-To-The-Music

Also, there are CD compilations of all the Westend Records hits available on Amazon Music. Use the link below!

https://www.amazon.com/b?_encoding=UTF8&tag=edgeofedm-20&linkCode=ur2&linkId=412e09b39ebbcf06dd7fde8438aad8e4&camp=1789&creative=9325&node=324382011

Raw Silk “Do It To The Music” Impact in Drum-N-Bass Songs

“Do It To The Music” has samples in 84 songs. The most common element sampled is the vocal snippet that says, “Music’s hypnotizing.” In fact, about one-third of the songs that sample it are titled with the words “Hypnotizing” or “Music’s hypnotizing”. Obviously, It’s a natural reference. Many sections of the vocals in the song are begging for sample use! The samples appear generously in House as well as Drum-N-Bass, but even is found in Downtempo and Experimental Music.

The song we are showing as an example is one of the songs that uses the sample and title of “Music’s hypnotizing”. As I said, that is pretty common. This particular song is from 1996. It is a Drum-N-Bass song by one of the most prolific artists in the genre, Aphrodite. So, the song is Amazon II & Aphrodite, “Music’s Hypnotizing”. It uses the vocal starting around 1:12 and then continues to use it throughout the rest of the song. Here, take a listen!

You can buy a copy of the 12-inch single on Discogs:

https://www.discogs.com/release/49016-Amazon-II-King-Of-The-Beats-Musics-Hypnotizing

Additionally, you can also get it digitally on an Aphrodite Recordings compilation on Amazon Music using the link below:

https://www.amazon.com/b?_encoding=UTF8&tag=edgeofedm-20&linkCode=ur2&linkId=412e09b39ebbcf06dd7fde8438aad8e4&camp=1789&creative=9325&node=324382011

Raw Silk “Do It To The Music” Impact in House Songs

At the beginning of this episode I mentioned it is a sample that finds use in a host of DnB and House songs. Now we have heard a DnB song that samples it. I feel it’s only fair to share what the iconic sample sounds like in House, as that’s where I have most heard it. It is a beautiful, haunting vocal snippet. “Music’s hypnotizing” is a vocal we can all connect with. However, it is not the only sample taken from the song that is used in Electronic Dance Music. Multiple vocal samples and other elements from the song appear in EDM songs!

With that being said, it is the “music’s hypnotizing” vocal sample we have been talking about, so that’s what we’re going to provide a example of. This song uses the classic sample in its entirety so it’s a little longer, but straight out of “Do It To The Music”. The song is by Kid Creme and is “Hypnotizing”. It is a release on the classic House label, Positiva. It is a 2002 release. It’s a pretty solid House tune and it exemplifies how the famous sample is used! The sample begins in the song at 1:22 in. Feel free to listen to the whole song or scan in if you want. Take a listen!

Fortunately, The 12-inch single is available with this link on Discogs.

https://www.discogs.com/release/207476-Kid-Creme-Hypnotizing

Additionally, you can pick up a digital copy or on a Positiva compilation using the link below for Amazon Music.

https://www.amazon.com/b?_encoding=UTF8&tag=edgeofedm-20&linkCode=ur2&linkId=412e09b39ebbcf06dd7fde8438aad8e4&camp=1789&creative=9325&node=324382011

Raw Silk “Do It To The Music” Impact in Songs That Remix It

Raw Silk “Do It To The Music” impact is also in remixes of the song. By far the most famous remix of the famous song is a 2006 release. It is done by House heavyweights Blaze. The actual title of their remix is “Do It To The Music (Roots Vocal Mix)”. A “Proto-House” song like the original on Westend Records kind of screams for a quality remix. Honestly, that is true of most of the releases on the label!

Blaze keep true to the vibe of the original. It is a moodier and soulful rendition. Wonderfully, it uses a thick kettle style drum to richen the sound. Thankfully, the vocals are used in their entirety. The remix of the song is from 2006. Personally, I think they did an amazing job reimagining the classic! Take a listen to Blaze “Do It To The Music (Roots Vocal Mix)”.

Fortunately, the vinyl 12-inch single is available on Discogs.

https://www.discogs.com/release/865076-Raw-Silk-Do-It-To-The-Music-The-Blaze-Mixes

Additionally, the song is available on digital on the Blaze mix compilation called “Found Love” by using the link below for Amazon Music:

https://www.amazon.com/b?_encoding=UTF8&tag=edgeofedm-20&linkCode=ur2&linkId=412e09b39ebbcf06dd7fde8438aad8e4&camp=1789&creative=9325&node=324382011

Conclusion

In conclusion, I think we have shown how much of an impact Raw Silk’s “Do It To The Music” and its samples have had on EDM music! House and DnB have used the samples from the song to great effect, in particular, “music’s hypnotizing”! Next time you hear that sample in a song while you’re tearing up the dancefloor, you’ll know where it comes from! How fun!

The classic “Proto-House” Disco song set alight Deep House and DnB classics to the delight of dancefloors around the world! The Raw Silk “Do It To The Music” impact has been huge. I love the sample and it speaks to the soul.

I hope you have enjoyed this episode and you have learned something new that increases your love and appreciation for EDM! Knowing more about the music you love only increases your love for it! Don’t miss out on new content, so subscribe!

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There are very few artists who’s impact on me is bigger than the Art of Noise impact on me. I still remember the exact time I first heard the song “Beat Box” It was 1983. It was at a dance at a YMCA. I was 13 years old. My mind blown! I think the high regard I have for them and their song “Beat Box” will be shared by you by the end of this episode!

Art of Noise are truly an innovator group. Their influence from early electronic music is in all of modern EDM. They have quite a bit of amazing songs. “Beat Box” for the Breakers, “Moments In Love” for its Ambient beauty, and “Paranoimia” for its quirky dance groove. For this episode, we are looking at their song, “Beat Box”. Art of Noise are an interesting group. They pushed the boundaries of music into unexplored territory.

Clearly a drum machine, sequencer, sampler, and synthesizer driven band. Their music ranges from mean, gritty Hip Hop holocaust of beats and grunts to heavenly, emotive, beauty made to illustrate exactly what love feels like. They are able to transport the listener to entirely new, unknown realms that you always knew existed. It just took them showing you for it to be true. “…the Art of Noise, a techno-pop group whose music was an amalgam of studio gimmickry, tape splicing, and synthesized beats. The Art of Noise took material from a variety of sources: hip-hop, rock, jazz, R&B, traditional pop, found sounds, and noise” (allmusic.com)

Who Is The Art of Noise?

The Art of Noise is the trio of Anne Dudley, Gary Langan, and Paul Morley. The band formed in 1983 after working together as a studio band for a music producer in the early 80s. Their first album was “Into Battle With the Art of Noise” in 1983 which was released as an EP. They later came out with 5 additional albums over the next nearly 2 decades. Some were popular and critically acclaimed, others not so much… They also have a host of compilations, remixes, and reworks.

When they originally came into the music spotlight, they did not publish the members names and it became a bit of a mystery. Even on their first tours they would perform behind screens and dividers so nobody could see the human members, or see “the wizard behind the curtain”! I always found that start fascinating. Later they became known individually as members of the Art of Noise. Dudley even went on to work in collaboration with a host of other musical artists from Killing Joke to Phil Collins. They broke up a year after their 1990 album “Below the Waste”. They did a reunion album in 1999 that was poorly received.

Music of the Art of Noise

The Art of Noise impact is from their revolutionary music. I highly recommend you listen to the entire first album entitled, “Into Battle With the Art of Noise” from 1983. I have a copy myself and that is where I first got a copy of “Beat Box”. It also has “Moments in Love” and “Donna” which is the earliest use of a Roland 303 I know of. It’s an amazing album! For today’s episode we are going to pull one song off of it that was released as a single in 1984. That song is “Beat Box”.

“Beat Box” was quite groundbreaking and unique when it came out. Nothing else had ever sounded like it. Aficionados of Kraftwerk were drawn quickly to it, but it really doesn’t sound like a Kraftwerk song… However, just like Kraftwerk, experimental and cutting edge music listeners flocked to snatch up the first album by Art of Noise. They took the music scene by storm with their fresh, unique music. One of the standout songs from their first album is the song, “Beat Box”. Take a listen!

You can pick up a copy of the album “Into Battle With the Art of Noise on vinyl from Discogs:

https://www.discogs.com/release/33485-The-Art-Of-Noise-Into-Battle-With-The-Art-Of-Noise

You can pick up a digital copy of the album or other Art of Noise releases on Amazon Music using the link below:

https://www.amazon.com/b?_encoding=UTF8&tag=edgeofedm-20&linkCode=ur2&linkId=412e09b39ebbcf06dd7fde8438aad8e4&camp=1789&creative=9325&node=324382011

DJ Mix With “Beat Box”

“Beat Box” is definitely dance music. It pulls the heavy vibe of Hip Hop and transforms it into a new take on Electronic Dance Music. It is very innovative. I still play it at parties. It is quite a timeless piece of music! The mix below opens with “Beat Box”. It is a music and visual project I did with visual artist, Marcell Marias. I used 4 sources in the mixing, 2 vinyl and 2 digital to give it a complex layered effect.

The title, “Spooky Love Action at a Distance” is from Albert Einstein’s description of how atoms seems to know when they are being observed by humans and they react differently when being watched. He called it “spooky action at a distance”. The title of the music video work adds “Love” to reflect the occurrence when you are thinking about someone you care for and they seemingly randomly call you or contact you because “they were thinking about you.” I am confident it has happened to you all. It is a result of the bond love creates! I am happy with how amazing songs that would not traditionally go together are mixed smoothly. Take a listen and check out the awesome visual work!

“Beat Box” Through Samples

The song “Beat Box” was released in 1983 on the Art of Noise album, “Into Battle With the Art of Noise” and then released as a single a year later in 1984. It contains samples from two song: “Kool is Back” by Funk, Inc (1971) and “D-Ya Like Scratchin” by Malcolm McLaren (1983). Most of the song is done with drum machines and synthesizers. The Art of Noise impact was through songs like “Beat Box”.

However, there are 53 songs with samples from “Beat Box” in them. They range from mostly Hip Hop to some Electronic Dance Music. Sampling the song started quickly, first in 1983 with a Malcolm McLaren song and continues to present day. For today we are going to use a brilliant piece of Electronic Dance Music! It is by veteran Rave out fit, Westbam with The Love Committee. The song is “Love Is Everywhere (New Location)”. It uses multiple elements, but the most noticeable is the drums, which are the exact beat from “Beat Box” sped up. It’s a nice slice of Underground House. Take a listen!

You can pick up the 12-inch single on vinyl from Discogs:

https://www.discogs.com/release/1024815-WestBam-And-The-Love-Committee-Love-Is-Everywhere-New-Location

You can pick up this or other Westbam releases on digital using the link below for Amazon Music:

https://www.amazon.com/b?_encoding=UTF8&tag=edgeofedm-20&linkCode=ur2&linkId=412e09b39ebbcf06dd7fde8438aad8e4&camp=1789&creative=9325&node=324382011

“Beat Box” Through Remixes

Art of Noise has done a few official remixes. Oddly enough there have been no covers of “Beat Box”, which I think is a huge oversight! One of the biggest examples of remixes is a remix album of classic tracks released by Art of Noise. The album is from 1987 and has the title “Re-works of Art of Noise”.

“Beat Box” has a remix 3 times. Twice it has a remix by Art of Noise in “Diversion One” and “Diversion Two”. Both are released in 1984. The third time is therefore the one we will listen to here. That remix is done by The Mixbusters in 1989. It is not an official remix. It is a remix by DMC, the scratching and mixing competition. Here, take a listen!

This song is not available on vinyl but you can find DMC music on Amazon Music with the link below:

https://www.amazon.com/b?_encoding=UTF8&tag=edgeofedm-20&linkCode=ur2&linkId=412e09b39ebbcf06dd7fde8438aad8e4&camp=1789&creative=9325&node=324382011

“Beat Box” Impact on Hip Hop

Of the 53 songs sampling “Beat Box”, about 40 of them are Hip Hop songs! “Beat Box” was released in 1983, which was a huge year for Hip Hop. Hip Hop was fresh and new and very hip. The beats in “Beat Box” are very grungy Hip Hop in style. Hip Hop aficionados, B-Boys and Breakdancers all loved “Beat Box”. I personally remember breakdancing to the song! It was a huge hit.

It took almost no time before Hip Hop artists started sampling “Beat Box”. The tough, punishing syncopated beats were a huge hit. Hip Hop at its best is a genre that thrives on innovation and it’s impossible to discount the new approach to dance music Art of Noise had when they made “Beat Box”! We may look at the song as EDM now, but in 1983 and 1984, its warmest reception was from lovers of early Hip Hop. Art of Noise impact with “Beat Box” is hugely influential to Hip Hop!

Conclusion

Art of Noise makes music that breaks boundaries and is unclassifiable! Their innovative experimentation breaks the rules and makes genre bending and defying music! Especially this is true of their first album in 1983, “Into Battle With the Art of Noise”! For me their are a number of standout tracks on the album, but none better than “Beat Box”. It changed the way I look at music. Fresh and crafted by blending many genres, it is a masterpiece!

The influence of “Beat Box” on EDM and Hip Hop is undeniable! I hope you enjoyed this episode as we illustrated that fact. Hopefully, you listen to the DJ mix using “Beat Box” in the artistic music video done by Chris Sick and Marcell Marias. It’s an awesome piece of work. Lots of fun… This episode was fun to research and write and hopefully you have enjoyed it!

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