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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